E-Ring

[comicaze]

Didn't see a thread about this show yet, so I thought I'd start one. Just like the "official paperwork of war" the characters fill out, I'd thought I start by listing the pros and cons.

Pros:

Interesting characters led by Benjamin Bratt's "viewpoint character", a soldier fresh off the front lines settling into a new position in the Pentagon. Dennis Hopper's McNulty is a nice mix of an "old school" authority figure who loves the music of the '60s anti-establishment (nice nod to Hopper's own "Easy Rider" past). Still enough of a procedural to fit well with "original recipe" Law & Order for a solid two-hour block, especially for L&0: OR fans who enjoyed Bratt as Detetective Curtis.

Cons:

At least for me, it goes up against Veronica Mars at 9 on Wednesday. Also, if the first two episodes are any indication, it could quickly fall into a monotonous routine.

[Steve]

Regarding the latest episode.

That extraction was one of the most hilarious thing I have ever seen on TV. It was so bad it was funny.

Overall, it's a pretty average show. Bratt gets all preachy at the end and Hopper is his usual nutty self. As if they plucked the villain from Speed and dropped him right in the middle of this show. Then there's the use of similar music from Bruckheimer's The Rock when everyone signs off on that paper. Oh, so dramatic.

One good thing I can say about the show is Kelly Rutherford is a hottie.

[Deathstroke]

The show has been moved from 9pm to 8pm Wednesdays beginning this week.

[comicaze]

Thanks, 'Stroke. I had heard that it was gonna switch places with Martha's Apprentice for at least this week. Makes one of my cons (the conflict with VM go away).

[comicaze]

OK, I must be the only one who watches and enjoys this show. I really like the "two battlefields" feel (inside the Pentagon and where the operation actually takes place). The characters and the "countdown to operation" are what keeps me coming back though.

Adding to the "two battlefields" feel are the segments in the area of operation which give the show IMHO a more epic, movie-like feel. Similar to the last few episodes of last year's NBC government show, Medical Investigation.

On a personal note, a guy in my dorm my freshman year was a student from Burundi (the African country from last night's ep). So, to me, it wasn't just some distant land.

Oh, and did anyone notice that the lawyer pressing McNulty's sexual harrassment complaints last week was Maggie Wheeler (Chandler's annoying ex-girlfriend from the early seasons of Friends)? Wow, she was believable and tolerable in this show! :)

[Steve]

I still follow it, but I usually just leave it on background while doing something else.

Not sure why I keep comng back to it.

Maybe it's Kelly Rutherford.

[comicaze]

Interesting article about the "long, strange trip" Dennis Hopper has taken from hippie poster child to Col. McNulty here (http://tv.msn.com/news/article.aspx?news=205360).

As far as the show goes, I must have missed the ep where all the tension started to build around J.T. and Angie's relationship and her job at the CIA. This episode had a nice flashback to when they met and I like where this story is taking the show (to a more personal level). Now, we know not ust that J.T. loved Angie but that his new co-worker's have become a family that cares about him.

[TomGun13]

My Political Studies prof showed part of an episode in class to show us a great example of bureaucracy and SOP's. Looks like a pretty cool show. Unfortunately I don't really watch alot of TV and don't care about any particular shows that I MUST see. Looks like a good show though.

[Steve]

Yeah, I'm actually more interested in what goes on inside the Pentagon that all the action. The back and forth political maneuverings. I have no idea how accurately it's portrayed but I enjoy them.

Last Wednesday's episode was pretty good.

Things are starting to get interesting.

J.T. shall have his vengeance!

Well, we'll just have to see.

[Steve]

Interesting article about the "long, strange trip" Dennis Hopper has taken from hippie poster child to Col. McNulty here (http://tv.msn.com/news/article.aspx?news=205360).

As far as the show goes, I must have missed the ep where all the tension started to build around J.T. and Angie's relationship and her job at the CIA. This episode had a nice flashback to when they met and I like where this story is taking the show (to a more personal level). Now, we know not ust that J.T. loved Angie but that his new co-worker's have become a family that cares about him.
You must've turned away whenever Angle was onscreen then. Everytime J.T and her would hook up, he'd always press her for some info and she'd be uncomfortable about sharing intel. Her breaking up with J.T. was a stunt so that CIA Deputy Director Metcalf would leave J.T. alone.

[comicaze]

Oh, I knew the conflicting agendas of the CIA and the Pentagon were a source of conflict in their relationship. When I said that I missed the tension build up, I should have said that I missed when it "came to a head" or the "you-know-what finally hit the fan"...leading to:

Her breaking up with J.T. was a stunt so that CIA Deputy Director Metcalf would leave J.T. alone.

That must have happened in the episode that aired during World Series week, because I think that's the only one I've missed.

[Steve]

Well, it's nice to know that the writers didn't go with the cliched route of having someone else kill the intended target or the hero deciding to not pull the trigger at the very last minute cause it was the right thing to do.

You go J.T.!

[DanH]

This is usually a pretty solid show good storylines,..and plot not bad for an hour show I hope it lasts a couple seasons.

[Deathstroke]

NBC has picked up the show for the full season.

[Deathstroke]

Kerr Smith has had his recurring role on the show bumped up to series regular.