The Old Man

Enjoyed the first Season. The pacing, story, and characters were in good form. Costumes, set design, and music are top notch in both seasons. Various elements have become diluted with the 2nd season. The actors still give committed performances, but most of the dialogue is ridiculously ponderous. Some of Lithgow's lines come off as so basic that it's nearly laughable. His character appears to have just been hired into the intelligence community. This is not the actor's fault, it's the script. Many scenes feel like a Parade of Preciousness. Ironically, this tactic diminishes the potential of mystery. The languorous script is in harmony with the camera pace: there are enough long shots to flood a swimming pool. I plan to finish this season (just one more episode to go), but I'm not too keen to watch Season 3, assuming there is one. Maybe this show would have worked better as a movie.

This show starts super strong with great actions and a slow roll out of backstory that leaves you very intrigued. Once you are caught up by episode 4, things aren't going so well. Lithgow and Bridges are excellent. Shawcat is kind of a boat anchor, delivering every line almost in monotone. None of the characters are particularly endearing. As the plot development and action slows down after a few episodes, a lot of awkward dialogue fills its place. It seems clear that the writers were trying to recreate the style of The Counselor, screenplay written by Cormac McCarthy, but not doing such a great job. The more literary style of the The Counselor left a lot of viewers confused. How much more so will a bad copy.

I'll keep watching, hoping things get better.

Had high hopes, but 65% is overdrawn dialogue and reaction shots. We get the point, they're scared/concerned/angry. No need for the oversell. Episode 1-2 showed promise, but it seems they didn't discard any edits to help string the series out.

They should play this to insomniacs that don't respond to standard medication.

Episode one had so much promise; Jeff Bridges, his Rottweilers and the taste of danger and drama to come. Enter John Lithgow as the perfect foil/nemesis and I thought we were really cooking. Add some intriguing flashbacks to spice up the recipe, but finally, the ridiculous Afghan-Russian conflict and the pseudo sensitive conversations that go nowhere... blah blah blah, yada yada yada. Great big let down; episodes two through six. Hopefully, they can save this one, but I wouldn't count on it.

I watched this miniseries because of Jeff Bridges and John Lithgow. They never disappoint, but the plot and script sure did. So much of the plot was full of holes, and the supporting cast often came off as wooden. A thriller like this should never leave an audience bored at times. Sadly, this did for me.