The Beast

This is one of the best series I have ever seen (I'm 66). With Patrick's passing it may be that they do not continue the series. In my opinion this would be a major mistake. He worked so hard to make this series what it is. They need to take a long hard look at how to work his passing into the story line and using the actors already in the series continue the storyline. Travis Fimmel (Ellis Dove) plays his part so well and could continue the fight for justice for Charles Barker (Patrick Swayze). Lindsay Pulsipher (Rose Lawrence) so fantastic in her role, who is studying law could become a lawyer along the way and support Ellis in the fight as well as others that were Barkers friends. This series has so many exciting ways it could go and continue being as good and exciting as the first season. I hope you get busy and get some scripts written and get going on the second season. Every person I see on TV comments on how hard Patrick Swayze worked on this series even with his health problems. I believe it would not only honour his hard work to continue the series but also honour him as well. Please keep it going!!! Why not put his younger brother "Don Swayze" into the role. He would fit perfectly and he could be worked in as a younger brother already in the FBI and partnering with Ellis to continue the fight! This series is just too good to drop!

Now in this new A&E TV show... Patrick Swayze plays veteran FBI agent Charles Barker, and for sometime he has been working with a young protégé named Ellis Dove (Travis Fimmel). As more cases have to be solved, and more crime has to be addressed, Ellis comes to find out that he was actually recruited as a double agent to investigate Charles Barker's unorthodox work style, and activities.

And so far that is the plot.

Now after watching the first episode I will admit that this show is very good. Now I know some people will say that this show just looks typical, and it looks like your standard one hour drama, but to be honest with folks.. I believe it's better than most standard drama's that are currently running. I mean this show is very gritty, and ballsy. And I must say that this show really echoes the film Training Day (2001) with Denzel Washington, and Ethan Hawke. So if you saw that film then you can really get an idea on how this show flows.

Now getting to the characters....Patrick Swayze does a great job as Charles Barker. Now I know for Swayze to play this role, it's going to be kind of hard to reach the heights of his past roles in such films like Dirty Dancing, Road House, and Point Break. But Patrick Swayze pulls it off as Charles Barker, and he's really convincing as this unorthodox FBI agent.

Travis Fimmel does a good job. Now I've never heard of Travis Fimmel until I saw him in the first episode of The Beast, and like I said he did a good job. It's not the best acting performance, but it's not the worst I've seen. I just thought he did good.

And overall this show is good so far. I think it has potential. I believe it's different from your standard drama's that are currently running now like CSI:Miami, Without A Trace, and The Closer. The Beast is a drama that really pulls in your focus, and it's a good drama with the mix of some action, good mystery, and entertaining crime/corruption elements.

It seems that only interpersonal emotional dramas gather the votes. The Beast is emotional, but it is not Little House on the Prairie. Swayze as maverick FBI agent is ably abetted by his new partner, well-portrayed by Travis Fimmel, in catching the bad guys and finding out 'who-dunnit' in an event 15 years prior. The characters are hard men who suppress their emotions to get the job done, yet this is who they are. Why this show has low ratings? I can only guess that there is not enough emotional interaction among the characters, and female interest is definitely low. Yet this is what makes the show gripping. Who will snap? Who will betray and who will be betrayed? Are the 'good' guys really the good guys? Even the bad guys are not what they seem at times. This is action drama that revolves around Swayze, who, health issues in real life or not, delivers a driven performance as if each case might be his last. If you don't like The Beast and don't want more of it, what are you doing watching cop shows? Go back to your reruns of Friends and Seinfeld, instead.

I should start by highlighting that I am biased, Patrick Swayze is a legend in my eyes and his untimely death robbed the world of a hugely talented actor, may his soul rest in peace.

I don't think bias is necessarily a bad thing though, of course that is for you to judge. This TV series was cut short at the news of Patrick's death, which while understandable, maybe the biggest mistake ever made. Its an amazing show. If you think that weekend TV such as law and order, csi etc is good viewing, you will be blown away by this show. The script is nothing short of a masterclass, it takes you to the very last minute of every episode and never has you guessing what's going to happen, because, well simply you just don't want to, it leaves you wanting more.

Its gritty and realistic and while sometimes pushes the boundaries of what may be believable for some, Sir Swayze always makes it feel real. The tension builds from the first episode and rumbles all the way through, so you're never disappointed. If you like hard hitting feel good TV, this is ideal for you, and if you like Patrick Swayze, this is a must see TV series.

Makes you wonder how many fast and loose agents are out there. In the past one such in the CIA thought Pol Pot was a good idea. But, that too, isn't the point.

And Travis Fimmel gives a good performance from the start as he begins to trust the lunatic he's teamed with. And later in the series shows a style that'll get him re-casted without too much problem.

But three cheers for Patrick Swayze. Always liked Roadhouse, yes, the fighting, but particularly the music. Friend of mine had this problem, and stayed in his bedroom 'til the end - which is certain. Swayze shows tremendous heart by doing what he's always done, and in this case with an inner edge.

This will go down in cinema/TV history as a hell of a swansong.

15th Sept. 2009. Heard the news. My condolences to Patrick's family and friends.