Collateral: Season 1, Episode 4 (B)
I had hoped for the same kind of satisfactory conclusion provided by “National Treasure” after just four episodes here, but unfortunately, that didn’t really happen. I understand that this was a genuinely interesting and inarguably layered concept, but I’m not sure I see the point of it all. Sandrine took on a big role in this episode after concerning Major Dyson’s wife and telling her what kind of man she was married to, and then just left to go write a letter explaining what happened before shooting herself despite Kip’s attempts to save her from the other side of the door. She was so attached to this idea that she had taken out a terrorist, a sentiment that ties in with David’s objections to the immigration policy of his country that has been less than welcoming to those seeking refuge and acceptance. Kip was bold to offer British citizenship in order to get what she wanted, and she managed to make it happen through a frank conversation with Sam, who wasn’t at all happy with how things turned out. I don’t understand why David cutting the cord with Karen needed to be featured in the way that it was, though it was great to see Billie Piper in a much different, darker role than I’ve seen from her in the past. Jane lost her relationship because of the choice she made, and no one really won, while everyone lost something. This show was intriguing but ultimately didn’t really go anywhere.
Season grade: B
Season MVP: Carey Mulligan as Kip and John Simm as David
Showing posts with label Collateral. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Collateral. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 4, 2018
Thursday, March 29, 2018
Take Three: Collateral
Collateral: Season 1, Episode 3 (B)
The beating Laurie took at the end of the last episode turned out to be fatal, as I had feared, and now Kip and Nathan are confused about the scope of what’s going on, and not a single person seems happy with the situation. Kip might be one of this show’s more negative characters, but she got chewed out by her supervisor in a way that rivaled the manner in which she’s spoken to other people. She also revealed herself to be more sympathetic than expected when she showed the video of her big sports failure to Fatima, who was then more much cooperative. Kip is right to note that the two deaths are extremely different in nature, and it’s hard to believe the incredible nature of the conspiracy going on with those perpetrating it perfectly willing to discuss their activities blatantly in each other’s company. Justifying Sandrine’s assignment as taking out a terrorist gives some insight into her psyche, and I’m not sure if that was more destructive than what we saw her doing at the end of the episode, ready to take out her abusive supervisor at his home. The most compelling developments came from David, who used the opportunity to comment on the murder as a staunch call for more liberal immigration policies, and took Karen to task for living irresponsibly. Throw in the subplot of Jane being told that she shouldn’t be seen publicly with a woman, and it’s hard to imagine that all of this can be wrapped up in just one final hour.
The beating Laurie took at the end of the last episode turned out to be fatal, as I had feared, and now Kip and Nathan are confused about the scope of what’s going on, and not a single person seems happy with the situation. Kip might be one of this show’s more negative characters, but she got chewed out by her supervisor in a way that rivaled the manner in which she’s spoken to other people. She also revealed herself to be more sympathetic than expected when she showed the video of her big sports failure to Fatima, who was then more much cooperative. Kip is right to note that the two deaths are extremely different in nature, and it’s hard to believe the incredible nature of the conspiracy going on with those perpetrating it perfectly willing to discuss their activities blatantly in each other’s company. Justifying Sandrine’s assignment as taking out a terrorist gives some insight into her psyche, and I’m not sure if that was more destructive than what we saw her doing at the end of the episode, ready to take out her abusive supervisor at his home. The most compelling developments came from David, who used the opportunity to comment on the murder as a staunch call for more liberal immigration policies, and took Karen to task for living irresponsibly. Throw in the subplot of Jane being told that she shouldn’t be seen publicly with a woman, and it’s hard to imagine that all of this can be wrapped up in just one final hour.
Sunday, March 25, 2018
Round Two: Collateral
Collateral: Season 1, Episode 2 (B)
There’s so much going on here, and not a single development was positive. Carey Mulligan’s Kip remains so unflinchingly angry, and my two favorite moments of directed fury from her where her question about where Boca Raton is and shooting back at David’s comment about her being a former athlete with a description of him as the guy who wants to let everyone out of prison. Incredibly, she was the nice one when she went with Sam to talk to the two women being held in the pre-deportation non-jail detention center that was introduced at the start of the hour. The revelation that the shooter had access to military machinery was an important one that helped to bring in two military characters to our story, the traumatized and generally cold Sandrine and her downright abusive supervisor Dyson. Laurie’s guilt led her right to the most sympathetic of ears, Jane, while Kip and Nathan were convinced that she was a drug dealer who should be the subject of their investigation, and if she’s even still alive after her van abduction and beating, she’s going to be in very poor shape. As David avoids call and prepares for a potentially controversial vote, it’s still very unclear to me exactly what’s going on, but at least he spoke directly with Kip and clarified just what he was trying to do in bringing her a top witness. The unfazed and unrepentant Karen certainly seems guiltiest to me, but something tells me that what’s going on is much bigger and much more nefarious.
There’s so much going on here, and not a single development was positive. Carey Mulligan’s Kip remains so unflinchingly angry, and my two favorite moments of directed fury from her where her question about where Boca Raton is and shooting back at David’s comment about her being a former athlete with a description of him as the guy who wants to let everyone out of prison. Incredibly, she was the nice one when she went with Sam to talk to the two women being held in the pre-deportation non-jail detention center that was introduced at the start of the hour. The revelation that the shooter had access to military machinery was an important one that helped to bring in two military characters to our story, the traumatized and generally cold Sandrine and her downright abusive supervisor Dyson. Laurie’s guilt led her right to the most sympathetic of ears, Jane, while Kip and Nathan were convinced that she was a drug dealer who should be the subject of their investigation, and if she’s even still alive after her van abduction and beating, she’s going to be in very poor shape. As David avoids call and prepares for a potentially controversial vote, it’s still very unclear to me exactly what’s going on, but at least he spoke directly with Kip and clarified just what he was trying to do in bringing her a top witness. The unfazed and unrepentant Karen certainly seems guiltiest to me, but something tells me that what’s going on is much bigger and much more nefarious.
Wednesday, March 14, 2018
Pilot Review: Collateral
Collateral (Netflix)
Premiered March 9
The last time I watched a four-episode series that first premiered in the United Kingdom and then made its way to the United States via a streaming service, it was the dark and immensely worthwhile “National Treasure.” That miniseries boasted a superb but small cast, and this new dramatic thriller has an equally compelling if considerably larger one. I was immediately excited to see Hayley Squires, a BAFTA nominee for “I, Daniel Blake,” as the pizza shop manager who didn’t want to close the shop after her delivery guy was killed, and Billie Piper from “Secret Diary of a Call Girl” as the recipient of said pizza who wasn’t too happy to cooperate when she was being questioned. I couldn’t quite place John Simm, who was a great part of the sadly cancelled “The Catch,” as the MP from the opposition. And of course I knew who Carey Mulligan was, and this was quite a different role for her than most of what I’ve seen, especially her recent film-anchoring performance in “Wildlife,” which I saw at Sundance, much more serious than usual and rarely willing to crack a smile. As to the plot of this show, it seems to be complex and I am intrigued even if I’m not filly engaged, and I’m certainly willing to at least give it another episode if not all three to see where it goes. The simplicity and confusingly random presence of the dead pizza delivery guy are enhanced by the greater political happenings and immigration conversations, and I’m curious to see how it all connects.
How will it work as a series? There’s a lot of ground for this show to cover, and my expectation is that each episode will link characters that we’ve seen in isolated storylines and deepen the bonds that we’ve already seen to explain just what’s going on and how high it all goes. I feel like this should last more than four episodes, but I’m confident that it should be interesting enough for the duration.
How long will it last? I think this is designed to be just a four-episode series, though reviews seem to be positive, which could encourage BBC2 and Netflix to revisit it. The fact that creator David Hare said in an interview with Indiewire that a second season wasn’t going to happen is probably the most damning information, but I suppose that anything is possible down the road if it does well enough on Netflix.
Pilot grade: B+
Premiered March 9
The last time I watched a four-episode series that first premiered in the United Kingdom and then made its way to the United States via a streaming service, it was the dark and immensely worthwhile “National Treasure.” That miniseries boasted a superb but small cast, and this new dramatic thriller has an equally compelling if considerably larger one. I was immediately excited to see Hayley Squires, a BAFTA nominee for “I, Daniel Blake,” as the pizza shop manager who didn’t want to close the shop after her delivery guy was killed, and Billie Piper from “Secret Diary of a Call Girl” as the recipient of said pizza who wasn’t too happy to cooperate when she was being questioned. I couldn’t quite place John Simm, who was a great part of the sadly cancelled “The Catch,” as the MP from the opposition. And of course I knew who Carey Mulligan was, and this was quite a different role for her than most of what I’ve seen, especially her recent film-anchoring performance in “Wildlife,” which I saw at Sundance, much more serious than usual and rarely willing to crack a smile. As to the plot of this show, it seems to be complex and I am intrigued even if I’m not filly engaged, and I’m certainly willing to at least give it another episode if not all three to see where it goes. The simplicity and confusingly random presence of the dead pizza delivery guy are enhanced by the greater political happenings and immigration conversations, and I’m curious to see how it all connects.
How will it work as a series? There’s a lot of ground for this show to cover, and my expectation is that each episode will link characters that we’ve seen in isolated storylines and deepen the bonds that we’ve already seen to explain just what’s going on and how high it all goes. I feel like this should last more than four episodes, but I’m confident that it should be interesting enough for the duration.
How long will it last? I think this is designed to be just a four-episode series, though reviews seem to be positive, which could encourage BBC2 and Netflix to revisit it. The fact that creator David Hare said in an interview with Indiewire that a second season wasn’t going to happen is probably the most damning information, but I suppose that anything is possible down the road if it does well enough on Netflix.
Pilot grade: B+
Sunday, April 12, 2015
What I’m Watching: Justified (Penultimate Episode)
Justified: Season 6, Episode 12 “Collateral” (A-)
It’s still hard to believe that there is just one episode left of this show, but this show is definitely intensifying in the best way as it’s about to sign off for good. There were many excellent moments, but I think the most memorable part, aside from Raylan signing his land over on a piece of scrap paper to someone he was pursuing, was the staging during the scene in the woods at night with Boyd and Raylan. It felt very much like a play, where two different actors stumble around through scenery almost right next to each other but can’t find each other since it’s too dark to be able to see even a few feet. This show has always been both a western and an intellectual story at heart, and it’s wonderful to see that incorporated into the end of this particular tale. There isn’t time left for pleasantries, as evidenced by Boyd’s swift execution of Shea Whigham’s truck driver as he was trying to convince Boyd that legends aren’t passed down by the murdered and Zachariah’s self-detonation in an attempt to put the beast that is Boyd down. In typical fashion for this show, there was plenty going on in that surrounding area, as Bob leapt into action to defend Raylan only to find that he had stolen his car, charged after him, found Ava, and then got shot by Boyd for his troubles. As Raylan was taking Bob to the hospital, cops on Avery’s payroll grabbed Ava, and then Raylan got arrested as soon as he got to the hospital. Kudos to Loretta for thinking on her feet after Boon shot her hapless bodyguard and offering Avery the same partnership she had with Boyd, ensuring her livelihood and her taking her best option in a bad situation. Vasquez has quite the axe to grind with Raylan, and it’s going to be hard to tell who will ultimately be on his side, especially with Boyd still in the wind and Ava in Avery’s clutches. What a finale it’s sure to be!
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
What I’m Watching: Smallville
Smallville: Season 10, Episode 12 “Collateral” (D+)
I’ve seen episodes like this before, and this is nowhere near as effective as it could have been. I’m reminded particularly of a trippy episode of “The X-Files” where Scully and Mulder were buried underground and kept breaking through to the surface, only to have it revealed that they were still asleep and underground. This didn’t make a whole lot of sense, with a long-absent Chloe suddenly reappearing and determined to run the whole show, expecting everyone to trust her when she hadn’t contacted them for such a long while. It’s clear that the basis for this virtual reality is similar to that on the recently-axed “Caprica,” where Chloe is a ninja obsessed with showing off her skills simply because she has some strong hacking abilities. It seems to me that there are way too many inconsistencies in any kind of Superman mythology at this point in the show’s run, with way too many people being entirely aware of Clark’s identity. No one seems too concerned with that, of course, focusing instead on such things as asking Chloe to be a maid of honor and not actively battling the powerful evil forces determined to strip them of their abilities and pretty much annihilate them. This season has seemed excessively disjointed to me, and I’m not sure if it’s any more so than over the past few years or if it’s just seeming like that because the show has been off the air for a good number of weeks. Either way, it’s relatively incoherent, and hardly near the high note that a veteran series like this should be prepared to go out on at the end of the season.
I’ve seen episodes like this before, and this is nowhere near as effective as it could have been. I’m reminded particularly of a trippy episode of “The X-Files” where Scully and Mulder were buried underground and kept breaking through to the surface, only to have it revealed that they were still asleep and underground. This didn’t make a whole lot of sense, with a long-absent Chloe suddenly reappearing and determined to run the whole show, expecting everyone to trust her when she hadn’t contacted them for such a long while. It’s clear that the basis for this virtual reality is similar to that on the recently-axed “Caprica,” where Chloe is a ninja obsessed with showing off her skills simply because she has some strong hacking abilities. It seems to me that there are way too many inconsistencies in any kind of Superman mythology at this point in the show’s run, with way too many people being entirely aware of Clark’s identity. No one seems too concerned with that, of course, focusing instead on such things as asking Chloe to be a maid of honor and not actively battling the powerful evil forces determined to strip them of their abilities and pretty much annihilate them. This season has seemed excessively disjointed to me, and I’m not sure if it’s any more so than over the past few years or if it’s just seeming like that because the show has been off the air for a good number of weeks. Either way, it’s relatively incoherent, and hardly near the high note that a veteran series like this should be prepared to go out on at the end of the season.
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