CBR: Actors Talk Comics & "Life"

[CBR News]

The stars of NBC's cop drama "Life", Damian Lewis and Donal Logue, discuss
their show's new season, its conspiracies and mythology, comic books and
Logue's own comic book movie background.


Full article here.

[MacrossJXS]

For whatever reason, I missed this show's debut season, but came across the opening episode of season 2.

I already liked Damian Lewis, as he was phenomenal in "Band of Brothers".

His take on Detective Crews makes the premise work. I like how "Life" tells a new cop-type dramatic story in each episode while also salt-n-peppering info about Crews' past and the investigation into the dudes who set him up. This storytelling element is the only element *I* see as being comic book like. Reminiscent of Chris Claremont's best Uncanny X-Men story-weaving.

At some point, Detective Crews' frame-up story needs to be resolved -- which I am waiting for. My only advice to the producers is to NOT drag-out the conclusion payoff for too long. For example, by the time the X-Files revealed all -- the show was on the decline and it kind of didn't matter anymore.

Once they resolve that main story, there is still enough going for the show to make it as a cool, quirky cop drama -- IMO. Or they could introduce another conspiracy to investigate during the prologues and epilogues.

-Josh

[Pól Rua]

The thing I love most about 'Life', and this is me being extra-special nerdy is the whole Zen aspect reminds me of the 90's 'Question' series.
It's weird, I just look at Charlie Crews and imagine that it's a Vic Sage TV series with Vic as a cop instead of a journalist.

[howyadoin]

I just saw the first episode last night. Damn good show, if that one was any indication. I'll definitely be watching more.

[the goddamn batman]

It's a great show. One of my favorites on tv right now, actually.

Donal Logue's been a great addition to the cast as well. Delivering some instantly classic lines such as "I do hate crack". I haven't cared for what they're trying to do with his and Sara Shahi's character's but, other than that, he's been a solid addition.

And, still, despite being glad this show's getting press and attention, this really was a pretty poor article. I fail to see any connection to comics... and the attempt to try and draw one in this interview was kind of sad.

Things like:

I really wasn’t a big comic book guy... But I have a lot of respect for the genre and I have a lot of friends who were really into comic books. I kind of existed on the periphery of a scene of guys who were into fantasy, comic books, “Dungeons & Dragons” and things when I was in high school and college.

Fail.

To me, it feels like it's trying to get comic fans interested in a show... as if comic fans don't watch things that aren't comics related. I dunno... the attitude presented in that aspect of the interview was a bit off-putting. I jsut hope if anyone else feels that way it doesn't put them off from watching the show.

Oh and also that I might be allowed to actually voice that opinion? I hope I voiced it in an acceptable manner this time? Third time's a charm, eh?

[MacrossJXS]

I agree on the "zen-like" quality of Crews' outlook and manner.

He is in a compelling situation; in that he was betrayed, framed, smeared and imprisoned for 12 years. Then...he's vindicated, restored and enriched.

Once freed, his decision was to try going back what his life was like before the mess began. Going back to what he knows, returning to a routine that had been normal. Not reacting to that circle-of-events in a Punisher-like way would take a Zen calm.

I realize his wife got married to another dude, but I like that she's taken steps towards helping him repair some of the things that got destroyed during his incarceration.

I am curious, though ...what will he do to balance the karmic scales of justice once he has discovered all of the conspirators?

[the goddamn batman]

I like that all the Zen falls out the window when his wife comes into play.

[Blackfel]

I've been a devoted fan of "Life" since the first episode. For those of you who haven't seen the series or are hesitant about giving it a try, I can't recommend it highly enough. Let me give you a bit of the back story.

"Life" is basically a modern-day retelling of "The Count of Monte Cristo". Before his imprisonment, Charlie Crews was a police officer working in the LAPD, and is the co-owner of a small cop bar. His partner, a man named Seybolt, is found murdered in his home along with his wife and one of his two children. Charlie is accused of the triple homicide, and is given a life sentence at a maximum security prison. While in prison, he's attacked and viciously beaten numerous times by both the prisoners and the guards, and from these attacks has almost every bone in his body broken, as well as over 250 stitches. His wife divorces him, his father disowns him, and his mother dies without ever having the chance to see him again. Eventually the prison guards put him in solitary confinement, presumably for his own safety, and leave him there to rot. He spends years in solitary, slowly going mad from the isolation, until one day while walking in the prison yard during his one hour of freedom each day, he comes across a book on Zen. The book changes his perspective on everything, and by embracing the teachings he is able to adapt to his circumstances and survive imprisonment both physically and mentally.

About ten years into his sentence, Charlie meets two people that become very important parts of his life. The first is a former executive named Ted Earley, who was sent to prison for the white collar crime of looting pension funds. Ted is a very weak and timid man, and is victimized by the other prisoners. Charlie befriends him and protects him from the other prisoners, often fighting on his behalf. The second is a lawyer named Constance Griffiths, who takes up his case, and eventually has his conviction overturned because of DNA evidence that proves his innocence. He's finally released from prison after 12 years.

Constance sues the city on his behalf, and gets two things for him. The first is a settlement for $50 million dollars, and the second is his reinstatement as an LAPD detective. The other cops don't want him there because they believe he's guilty and that he was released on a technicality, but Crews has an ulterior motive for demanding his reinstatement: he needs the badge to gain access to confidential police files and evidence in order to find the people that framed him and take revenge.

He is given a partner named Dani Reese, who has just completed rehab for an addiction to alchohol and drugs. Reese was an undercover narcotics agent until she fell in love with a drug addict and got sucked into a downward spiral of self-abuse. When her lover dies, she finally hits bottom and slowly pulls herself back together. She completes rehab and rejoins the LAPD, only to find out that no one wants to be her partner because no one trusts her. When she is assigned as Crews' partner, it is with the understanding that she is to spy on him and find some reason to have him kicked off the force. If she doesn't do what her superiors want, she is warned that she might just lose her badge despite completing rehab. But after only a little while, Dani realizes that no matter what anyone on the force might think, he's a good cop. And as his partner, she decides to do what good cops do: protect her partner.

One of the few comic book references in the series so far is something Ted Earley, the businessman who Charlie protects in prison, says in the first season. When Ted is released from prison he isn't sure what to do with his life, until Charlie is released and finds him. Charlie puts him in charge of his personal fortune, and allows him to live in his mansion as an aide/employee. When Ted finally admits that he knows Charlie is after the people that destroyed his life and volunteers to help him catch the people that are responsible, Charlie brings him fully into his private investigation. Eventually Ted asks him, "Charlie, am I Alfred?", a reference to Bruce Wayne's butler.

For those of you who are still reading this after my long-winded post, the first season is available on DVD, and the second season has already been picked up for a full run. Sadly, the first season was cut short because of the strike, but the writers did a great job of finding a good stopping point for the first season. Also, for those of you who want to give it a shot but aren't willing to pay for the priviledge, you can go to nbc.com and download the episodes for free.

"Life" is amazing, so please, give it a shot.

Blackfel

[Blackfel]

Double post. Sorry!

[MacrossJXS]

Thanks for the more detailed back-story on season one.

There is a lot there that I missed -- such as Det Reese's go-aroud on drugs or her supposed role as an informant against Detective Crews.

I will definitely look into checking out the season one DVD episodes.

-Josh

[howyadoin]

When Ted finally admits that he knows Charlie is after the people that destroyed his life and volunteers to help him catch the people that are responsible, Charlie brings him fully into his private investigation. Eventually Ted asks him, "Charlie, am I Alfred?", a reference to Bruce Wayne's butler.

But first Ted asks, "Am I Robin?"

(I just finished watching the first season. Now on to #2.)

[Pól Rua]

I am not becoming attached to this TV series.

[howyadoin]

I am not becoming attached to this TV series.

I'm torn between offering you a kumquat and asking "did you feel that?"

[the goddamn batman]

Why are you not getting attatched?

[Pól Rua]

No one will understand my humour in this lifetime.

I will, however, take that kumquat, yes.