On Wed, Sep 15, 2010 at 2:59 PM, PGage <[email protected]> wrote: > > The problem is not really the pace in terms of not having shoot-outs or > explosions or car chases. The problem is in the pace of the storytelling. > The damn thing moves so slowly that it is actually hard to keep track of the > key elements of the plot. Something that happened three episodes ago, and > then gets forgotten, is suddenly referenced again as important, and the > viewer has to work overtime to try to remember what it was. Now, this would > not be a problem if the show used the time otherwise devoted to plot > advancement to develop and flesh out the characters. But we really know very > little more about the main characters today than we knew after the second > episode (with the main exception of the guy we recently infer is gay). > > It is more realistic than 24 of course (nice reference, given the James > Badge Dale connection) - but the problem is real life, most of the time, is > not very interesting. Rubicon is a little like a show about your office or > mine. I like my job, and I get off a few good lines in a week, but not > really worth a tv hour. > > Still, I don't hate the show and I am not giving up on it. I like, if not > love, the cast, and the writing is good (though it doesn't really sparkle, a > la Mad Men or Sopranos or The Shield). If the show is watered and weeded and > gets plenty of light three to six months something interesting might well > develop. >
I just got around to watching the Rubicon finale. I will post no spoilers here. It did not get 3 to 6 months, but in the last 6 weeks or so it did show some signs of interesting developments. Still, it stayed faithful to its minor key. It's main character is so emotionally detached (and even though they explain why in the narrative) it almost repels deep or passionate involvement from the viewer. The 3 Days of the Condor analogy is obvious, but in tone and feel it has more in common with The Conversation, which was a great film, but like this felt like you were watching it from a long way off. I have not heard if AMC has renewed it or not. A couple of weeks ago the TVBTN guys had Rubicon #1 on their list of shows they wanted DirecTV to save with the Friday Night Lights treatment - that isn't a bad idea. I would watch a second season if they make one. BTW, I also finished the last season of FNL last weekend (on Netflix) and was pleasantly surprised with its improvement. As pretty as Derek Jeeter's latest bed wench is, the show is almost always better when it isn't about her. -- TV or Not TV .... The Smartest (TV) People! You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "TV or Not TV" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/tvornottv?hl=en
