Hostages

2013 Hostage Drama (late-nite re-run). Stayed with this long and ridiculous "White House Down-like" fiasco 'cos I wanted to convince myself that there was some purpose to it all, and they hadn't REALLY lost the plot. By Episode 14, however I realized they HAD, when "Actor 1" handed the gun to ".Actor 2". Good job it wasn't me, 'cos I'd have shot him, an' I wasn't even on-Set. The only benefit is that I'll never know - Phew!!

Yet another TV show with a premise that's reasonable for a 2 hour movie but can't possibly work for an entire season.

The dialog is cliché. You know what's going to happen before it happens because you've seen it a thousand times before. If you watch TV to have background noise while performing household chores, doing your taxes, etc., it's perfect, you don't have to think at all.

Sadly, after "United States of Tara" and this... thing..., I'm removing Toni Collette from my list actors who's presence makes something watchable. I really wonder why they gave this show the green light, it has nothing going for it.

I have seen a couple of episodes and I must say my expectations were high. After Breaking Bad and Southland, a trilling drama is really missing on TV. Jerry Bruckheimer is a great producer. This would have been a great series if... it wouldn't revolve about hostage situation, that is normally a short-lived situation that can cover the length of a movie, but hardly a season. This inevitably leads to a series with excessive prolonging and disappointments. Most importantly, you can't really produce a family-friendly hostage drama. This is as dramatic as kissing through glass is intimate. It's impossible to maintain the thrill factor if no one gets hurt in an extortion drama, even if hostages do not follow orders from their captors. Let's compare it to Breaking Bad - except for a few main characters, everyone could any moment become a collateral there. Here, the characters are treated as "babe" piggy that no one expects to die. I must say though, the character, dialogs and events are interesting, well written, the flick is executed very well and acting is superb.

While I read negative reviews of this show quite often, I found myself wondering if this show would be worth my time. I mean, from the previews before it started I would ask myself "How can they do this as a series?" A mini-series? Sure, but a TV Series with maybe multiple seasons??? That point aside, I decided to drop my skepticism and give this show a chance, (I mean ANYTHING beats another mind-numbing, brain cell killing, coma inducing Reality Show!!!)

It took me a few episodes to realize this isn't just a show about Hostages or Assassinating Presidents; there are serious character layers and sub-plots that got me hooked each week and wondering what the heck might happen next!

The actors are pretty stellar, the characters are well thought out and you find yourself flipping your opinions about who they are and what drives them. Sometimes I feel pretty sympathetic to the "Bad Guys" while having no sympathy for the family, others I am torn, sometimes I like them all. The thing that I find more intriguing about this show is the ruthlessness of the "Real" Players (Spoiler) (they aren't the Hostage takers!) So as the show progresses I can see the logic of it being a series. I could actually visualize a 2nd Season; because whether they succeed in the assassination or not, all of their lives will be at stake!

Don't underestimate this show. It has some very top notch serial drama going on (Think "Who Shot J.R.?", cliffhangers but every week. I find it's better to DVR it and watch a bunch in one setting because I am impatient and hate to be left hanging. There is only 2 episodes left and it doesn't look like it will be renewed for a second season, so get caught up on the official website before January 6 when the show returns for its last 2 episodes. This is also the best way to get into the show without getting frustrated by the numerous cliffhangers.

I want to champion this show, not because it's an underdog...but because it really is good drama, good acting and a dang good show overall!!!!

I have to say, i wouldn't normally watch shows like this bur honestly it was straight to the point, anyone can watch it as it is not confusing. Also, its only 15 episodes which is quick. I enjoyed how it was political but there's these big twists. Honestly wish it could move onto another season. Was so upset when it finished. Would definitely recommend. You do not have to be super smart to understand the concept. The characters are all really good and i loved them all. It is not a typical storyline so its not something you have seen before. I am planning to watch it again as i watched it a year ago. Please watch it! You will not regret!