Inside Television with Alan Sepinwall

'Rubicon' - 'Wayward Sons': Tied to the whipping post

All hands on deck as API tries to find Kateb

By Alan Sepinwall Sunday, Oct 10, 2010 10:00 PM

Miranda Richardson and James Badge Dale on "Rubicon."

Credit: AMC

A review of the penultimate "Rubicon" of season one coming up just as soon as we have stuff...

"Do not mistake fluidity for chaos." -Truxton Spangler

When I got to the end of "Wayward Sons," a part of me wished that it was actually the season finale.

It's not that I want less of the show. After all, the ratings suggest this season is the only one we're going to get, and I've become attached enough to "Rubicon" that I want all the hours that are going to be available.

But a part of me feels like the "bad guys win" tone of the closing minutes of "Wayward Sons" feels like a more honest ending - both for this season and, in the likely event of cancellation, series - than whatever Henry Bromell and company are going to offer next week.

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As I said last week, we've reached a point where I'm not sure how plausible or, frankly, satisfying, it's going to be if Will and Kale and Mrs. Rhumor are able to take down Spangler's large and powerful conspiracy. This show takes place in a dark and messy world, with a broken intelligence system being staffed (at least in API's corner of it) by broken people. Now that Spangler's bunch are poised to profit somehow off of what Kateb did to the oil pipeline, I'm sure Will and Kale will find some way to expose them, but I'm skeptical that it'll play well. What I'm most curious to see, since Bromell is writing with the idea of a season two in mind, is how things go down in a way that allows API to continue to exist. Truxton Spangler is API, and if Will takes him down, wouldn't the government just put the kibosh on the whole organization?

But we'll deal with that next week. "Wayward Sons" was mainly a plot-mover of an episode, but I liked the little interludes we had with Kateb soaking up American culture (cartoons, fast food, classic rock) before he died, and with the people from his former life giving a metaphorical face to our previously faceless terrorist. I'm hoping that Tom Rhumor's clue won't be so literal (i.e., that the answer is in St. Louis), but was relieved that, for now, all the anvils being dropped about what would happen if Maggie let Katherine leave the (clearly Kale Ingram-decorated) safehouse didn't amount to anything bad. And genius director of photography Michael Slovis as as assured when performing full director duties as he was when he did the same on "Breaking Bad" a while back.

What did everybody think of this one? And whether or not next week's episode is the last we get of these characters, what would you like to see in the finale?

Alan Sepinwall
Sr. Editor, What's Alan Watching

Alan Sepinwall has been reviewing television since the mid-'90s, first for Tony Soprano's hometown paper, The Star-Ledger, and now for HitFix. His new book, "The Revolution Was Televised," about the last 15 years of TV drama, is for sale at Amazon. He can be reached at sepinwall@hitfix.com

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Next 99 Comments

Thinking about Rubicon not being renewed is nearly too much to bear.

Along those lines, I have to re-post what I put in another thread, something that's been making it's way around the internets over the last couple of days:

"Rubicon (Drama, AMC) A think-tank analyst comes to the realization that his colleagues are not who he thought they were and may be a part of a covert organization secretly manipulating world politics and affairs. James Badge Dale stars. Casting: Avy Kaufman Casting, 180 Varick St., 16th Fl., New York, NY 10014. Premiered Aug. 1. Renewed."

http://www.backstage.com/bso/production-listings/los-angeles-production-listings-1004119116.story

Notice the status: "Renewed".

It's probably just pragmatic thinking on the casting agency's part, and taking renewal news as truth based on one casting call instead of an official announcement is probably negligent, but I figured it was worth sharing.

That said, this episode was spectacular. Nothing I can say will do it any justice so I'll just post a couple things I noticed and be done with it.

1) The last thing I'll say is that it reminded me of the penultimate episodes of several seasons of both The Wire and Breaking Bad, where The Shit goes down and the last episode is spent on the cleanup.

2) Kateb's day was spent like a man who was preparing to leave this world for the next, and it seems that with the boat explosion he actually did die in the attack. But, that's never been his M.O. He's orchestrated numerous attacks before and never has he sacrificed himself. Why do so this time? Was it simply a logistic necessity, or is there more to it?

3) Bloom ties Spangler to Kateb, directly. But Will can't mention this to the FBI, or his co-workers, due to the nature of the information and Will's own ties to it. What does he do now? Where does he go from here?

October 10, 2010 at 10:19PM EST Reply to Comment
- Sareeta AMC has not officially renewed it, so as much as I'd like to believe it has been given a second season, I'll wait for the official statement. I have read reports indicating that Jason Horwitch is already planning season 2 in case it gets picked up.
  October 10, 2010 at 10:28PM EST
- I'm with you here, Sareeta. As I said, it's okay to speculate, but this one bit of info probably doesn't constitute actual evidence. I hope it happens, but I'm steeling myself for a non-pickup more and more each day.
  
  October 10, 2010 at 10:49PM EST
- leviramsey Horwich has nothing to do with the show now... it's Bromell's baby. But he has at least mapped out a second series (with more "self-contained" episodes).
  October 10, 2010 at 10:58PM EST
- conrad *crosses fingers*
  October 11, 2010 at 11:34AM EST
- Angela @ Jason, Once I hear the answer I'm sure I'll think it was a stupid question, but why can't Will can't tell anyone? Because he killed Bloom? Please explain.
  October 11, 2010 at 6:10PM EST
- Dezbot Not only is Bloom dead, but there's no evidence of his death any more. It's not like Kale will give up the cleaner or even any information about what happened, and they're not going to find the body parts. Plus, with how Will's acted in the past, talking to someone about a vast conspiracy with no evidence of Bloom will make him look just a wee bit insane, I think.
  October 12, 2010 at 12:10PM EST
Michael

I think I would like to see a small victory for Will & Co. Maybe they could prevent a secondary attack, or prevent the conspirators from realizing full profit. The idea that they could bring down a conspiracy this well-financed and connected in this day and age is fantasy. That was one of the things I hated about the ending of "Michael Clayton."

As far as Spangler, the idea that the govt. wouldn't keep him around is laughable. The collection of rogues, felons, and ne'er-do-wells floating around Washington today would provide a perfect landing pad for him.
October 10, 2010 at 10:21PM EST Reply to Comment
- "As far as Spangler, the idea that the govt. wouldn't keep him around is laughable. The collection of rogues, felons, and ne'er-do-wells floating around Washington today would provide a perfect landing pad for him."
  
  I'd normally agree, but now that Will has tied Spangler to Kateb (via Bloom and Tanaz), there is an actual trail of evidence which, if it were researched a bit more, could potentially lead to an indictment.
  
  I say potentially, because you're pretty much right on with how networked money can buy innocence these days.
  October 10, 2010 at 11:00PM EST
- cgeye Four words: "Too Big to Fail". If bankers flagrantly and defiantly breaking the law cause an economic downfall and not one goes to the big house, then Atlas has absolutely nothing to worry about.
  October 11, 2010 at 12:52AM EST
- Slather some of this on your mind-grapes... We would normally suspect that the trepidation Spangler showed (and the sentimental speechifying he made towards Kale) when he received the photo of Kale / Maggie / Katherine was due to the idea that he must now figure out a way to deal with all four of these anti-conspirators.
  
  But wait. We now know, more or less, why Tom Rhumor shot himself. He was given the kiss of death, the four-leaf clover, because as Truxton put it he "compromised operational integrity". Could it be that the photo sent from Atlas is a portent of a clover in Truxton's future? API under Truxton is likely to be seen by his co-conspirators as an irreparable mess and a clear liability. Spangler falling on his sword and taking with him the evidence Will needs to blow the whole thing open would be a nice left-field ending for the season. Very X-Files-esque, I think.
  October 12, 2010 at 1:58AM EST
Sareeta

I was surprised that there was really no acknowledgement of what happened at the end of the previous episode. Will just showed up at work and Truxton went about business as usual.

It was really eerie seeing Qateb go through his routine. When I saw him watching the silly cartoons and listening to classic rock, I just knew something bad was going to happen. I live in Florida so the massive oil spill Qateb created hit very close to home. By the way, when did they wrap up filming? I'm surprised they were able to reference an event that just happened in April! Also, I like that we learned about Kateb not through flashbacks or following his journey throughout the season, but rather from interviews with family members and people who were close to him.

Anyway, I enjoyed the episode, but I wonder how the finale will be able to top this one in terms of reveals. API was unable to stop Qateb and the little smile on Truxton's face seems to say it all.

Still, I feel like this is a series that requires you to watch it all the way through before you can fully assess the individual episodes.
October 10, 2010 at 10:22PM EST Reply to Comment
- Angela Sareeta wrote: "I was surprised that there was really no acknowledgement of what happened at the end of the previous episode. Will just showed up at work and Truxton went about business as usual."
  
  To expand on what Jason said, Will was acknowledged towards the beginning of the show in a scene with Spangler and his cohorts sitting around a coffee table.
  
  One man asked about Travers, and Spangler said he was alive and well. The man said that they needed to put the operation on hold until that wrinkle could be taken care of. He also said that Travers knew all their names.
  
  As Spangler was leaving the same man yelled, "What about Travers?" and Spangler said "He will be handled".
  October 11, 2010 at 12:22AM EST
I for one did not expect that they would fail to stop Kateb.

As for a possible finale, while this would be unrealistic in today's intelligence circles, I would like Spangler to be brought to justice. One way or the other.
October 10, 2010 at 10:29PM EST Reply to Comment
Sue

I also thought it weird that Spangler did not react to seeing Will. Will seemed surprised, too. Hmm- who could have told Spangler?
I thought the last scene was moving.
October 10, 2010 at 10:30PM EST Reply to Comment
- Spangler knew Will was alive because he still has someone (probably Roy) tailing him. In the scene where Spangler was with his power-player friends (which preceded Spangler seeing Will at API), he said something along the lines of "He (Will) just left his apartment", and then he received pictures of Kale, Maggie and Katherine Rhumer, from "The Atlas Courier".
  
  If you put this all together it paints a picture where Spangler is being fed info from his people on the streets, and as such knew about the botched attempt on Will's life.
  
  Hence, Spangler knew Will would (possibly) show up at API and had likely prepared himself for that moment, so he didn't seem taken aback.
  October 10, 2010 at 10:54PM EST
M.A.Peel

I wondered again about that one drop of blood that the "cleaner" left in Will's apartment. Was it left deliberately, or just an oversight?
October 10, 2010 at 10:40PM EST Reply to Comment
- I think it was an oversight, as Kale really seems to be on Will's side. Also, Spangler's shock at discovering Kale was working with Will (and Katherine Rhumer) seems to give credence to Kale's trustworthiness.
  
  I've heard other people ask about this, though, so it isn't just you. Maybe there's something more to it after all.
  October 10, 2010 at 10:56PM EST
- Angela I too think it was an oversight. I got the sense that Will kept looking around his apartment, especially at the floor, and thought, "Did that really happen?". One minute there's a dead body on his floor, that he shot and killed, and in the next minute, it's gone, poof! That drop of blood is the only thing left that makes it real. That's gotta be strange.
  Then again there may still be something more to it, but I think if there is, it ties to Will's past, and not to an oversight.
  October 10, 2010 at 11:40PM EST
- Lyle In the end Will returned home and rubbed the wall the same way he rubbed the spot, except this time there were no stain. I think this meant that the drop of blood on Will's wall is as real as the spot on Lady MacBeth's hand.
  October 11, 2010 at 12:17AM EST
- Angela @Lyle, Ah, now I see. Perfect.
  October 11, 2010 at 12:27AM EST
- @lyle, The spot was there until will washed it off, sos it was a real spot at one point, but I guess you're right about it becoming an 'out damned spot' kind of deal.
  October 11, 2010 at 3:37PM EST
Hannah Lee

This show has really grown on me. Itâ€™s incredibly understated, well shot, well acted, and every character, no matter how small a part they play in the big picture, seems to have their own plausible arc. And the use of Kansasâ€™ â€œCarry on My Wayward Sonâ€ was really well done; I wonâ€™t view the song the same way again the next time I hear it, since Kateb used it almost as his martyrâ€™s theme:

Carry on my wayward son
There'll be peace when you are done
Lay your weary head to rest
Don't you cry no more

Kateb was the only character we saw this episode who had any illusion that he would be in a place of peace when the day's events were finished. Everyone else knew it was going to get much worse before it could ever get better.

I think the drop of blood was just an oversight, but also enabled Will to ground himself when he woke up, like â€œOh, yeah, that horrible thing really did happenâ€ and also serves to paint Will as someone who does not get over events like that as easily as Spangler or even Kale. He sees the blood and first contemplates it, then literally gets it on his hands, before he cleans it up.

Maggie and then Kathryn leaving the safe house, and Will making calls to Kale from the office all made me feel like I do when a movie hero/heroine goes *toward* the suspicious sound, or someone runs down an alley to escape a big bad: I kept waiting for one of them to meet a bad end, but thankfully that didn't happen this episode.

Kale and Spanglerâ€™s meeting after Spangler received the surveillance photo was incredibly creepy, but also so telling as far as what these menâ€™s lives must be like. Neither broke their cover, but each knew the truth of what the other was up to (It was a bit of an "I know that you know what I know, but do you know that I know that you know what I know." head game moment.) We still donâ€™t know what Kaleâ€™s end game is; heâ€™d been playing both sides before, but that doesnâ€™t seem possible anymore. Plus, how many of his staff can Spangler â€œdeal withâ€ before it becomes obvious whatâ€™s going on?

A couple of plot points I wanted to clarify (Despite watching carefully, I still feel uncertain when things come together because of how twisted the conspiracy is.): the guy who tried to murder Will last episode was both Kaleâ€™s former lover/CIA partner AND Katebâ€™s US contact? And Spangler arranged the Grant/Will NJ field trip to derail Will and prevent him from putting the pieces together? (which Will did eventually, just a bit too late to stop the Galveston disaster.) As a side note, how heartbreaking was it that Grant told Will he was calling his wife to warn her of the danger that day because he couldn't bear to think of something happening to her and their kids. It was just a throwaway line, but a painful reference to Will's backstory.

I loved the set design/cinematography at the safe house. It was warm and modern, but also incredibly claustrophobic. And though it seemed incredibly lame that Katherine would venture out, it seems the clues hidden in her anniversary video are the last conspiracy clues to surface/get sorted out. Canâ€™t wait to see how that plays out next week.

October 10, 2010 at 11:57PM EST Reply to Comment
- Sue Great comments. Yes, the line of Grant about how he couldn't bear to have something happen to them was moving seeing Will listening next to him. I think that played into Will's breakdown in the last scene- he tried so hard to stop another attack and was so close- but failed.
  October 11, 2010 at 4:44PM EST
- Mike C [the guy who tried to murder Will last episode was both Kaleâ€™s former lover/CIA partner AND Katebâ€™s US contact?]
  
  I've been re-watching the early episodes, and in the conversation Kale & Bloom have in the restaurant, I think Bloom thanks Kale for hooking him up with his current gig... which at the time did kinda suggest that Kale may be in with the bad guys!
  October 11, 2010 at 5:17PM EST
b carroll

i noticed right up front that michael slovis had directed this one, and am hopeful that vince gilligan will give him another episode on the next season of BB.

i'm actually quite excited about next week's episode - i'm very comfortable with the way it's unfolded so far and can't say i share alan's concern about how well it will play out.

in fact, i now feel compelled to call AMC and throw my $0.02 in that they should definitely give the show a second season - and leave it right where it is on sundays as the lead in to MM.
October 11, 2010 at 12:08AM EST Reply to Comment
b carroll

i can't seem to get the 'reply' comment field to take my input, but wanted to reply to sue's question about who could have told spangler:

the discussion around the table with spangler and co. included both the fact that bloom was missing and that will had just left his apt alive - they all know that the hit was botched, they just don't know the details. but since will showed up at work like nothing happened, they have no idea whether bloom ever even got an opportunity. i'm sure they wouldn't consider the possibility that will could take bloom, and therefore kale's potentially in even MORE jeopardy than he otherwise might be, thanks to the photo of him in the car picking up katherine.
October 11, 2010 at 12:18AM EST Reply to Comment
>> ""bad guys win" tone of the closing minutes ...
>> feels like a more honest ending...."

Roger that. The writers have seemingly painted themselves into a corner, and it's going to take some artful plotting indeed to convince me that Will can prevail over forces Tom Ruhmer, with all his resources, found overwhelming.
October 11, 2010 at 12:31AM EST Reply to Comment
NiceCinematography

This show has great intros...oh no, it's Breaking Bad. How much longer?
October 11, 2010 at 12:35AM EST Reply to Comment
cgeye

Did I just witness a whitebread Muslim terrorist masturbating to Heckle and Jeckle cartoons? I mean, we didn't see a wound, and usually a shot showing what effort he was doing would be shown so we *don't* mistake it for wanking.

I mean, is he allowed to wank before committing jihad? I assume he got blessed before going on his mission -- doesn't wanking make that "X virgins waiting in Heaven" promise null and void?

I know, I know, there was so much plot going on -- but the effort to show Qateb as a cleancut American boy? Is that helped or hindered by his moment of Onanistic weakness?

October 11, 2010 at 12:37AM EST Reply to Comment
- cgeye And to confirm that, yes, he did wank (but I was wrong about Heckle and Jeckle):
  
  "Back in his motel room in [Image], Purcell pleasures himself while watching porn."
  
  http://www.amctv.com/originals/Rubicon/episode-12
  
  One more thing -- AMC bleeps "fuck" and sometimes "shit" on MAD MEN and BREAKING BAD, but has no problem with wanking? Really?
  October 11, 2010 at 12:46AM EST
- Jason Some of the 9/11 hijackers were said to have frequented a strip club. So as a plot element, it's not totally off base.
  
  October 11, 2010 at 3:35AM EST
- You're thinking conservative Christianity. Islam has different sexual mores, especially for men.
  October 11, 2010 at 3:43AM EST
- Plus which, who knows what kind of jihadist "Islam" Joe Purcell ended up following.
  October 11, 2010 at 3:44AM EST
- T. Smith @cgeye One of the first episodes of BB had Skyler giving Walt a handjob under the covers.
  October 12, 2010 at 12:33AM EST
- diemunkiesdie Well he pretty much did everything a Muslim is not supposed to do. He ate non-halal fast food (if you dont know what halal is, it's like jews can only eat kosher meat and muslims can only eat halal meat), he masturbated (also forbidden in Islam), and then he blew something up thereby killing himself (again forbidden in Islam), and probably killed people who were on the tanker (it is forbidden to kill people in Islam, and it's much worse to kill "people of the book" which means Christians, Jews, or Muslims).
  
  Obviously he is a terrorist so he isn't really a Muslim, and I think Rubicon was trying to show that he is doing all these non-muslim things before he goes and blows something up.
  October 12, 2010 at 12:36AM EST
Guest

Alan, does AMC have any other show, excluding The Walking Dead in production? Because if not, I would think they renew Rubicon and air it in the spring since Breaking Bad won't be back till next summer.
October 11, 2010 at 12:59AM EST Reply to Comment
- Nick They actually do. "The Killing" premieres some time in 2011. It's a crime drama that "tells the story of the murder of a young girl and the subsequent police investigation."
  
  I really don't think the show stands much of a chance to continue. Fantastic episode tonight though. And I agree that this would've made a fine finale.
  
  October 11, 2010 at 1:18AM EST
- Cshifty There was also a pilot that was shot in August, Hell on Wheels, which would likely attract the Deadwood fanbase. It deals with the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad.
  
  Two other shows are in development (one about losing college basketball team, the other about pharmaceutical company) along with a mini-series about the Tea Pot Dome Scandal from the writer of HBO's John Adams.
  
  Breaking Bad and Mad Men probably have 1-2 more seasons left so they need to develop new shows. Might renew Rubicon for one more season but I don't see how they can attract a larger audience.
  
  2011 you'll have The Killing, Breaking Bad and likely The Walking Dead and maybe the mini-series to air in November/December. Any word if Mad Men is being bumped to 2012?
  October 11, 2010 at 2:26AM EST
- bunson >>> Nick They actually do. "The Killing" premieres some time in 2011. It's a crime drama that "tells the story of the murder of a young girl and the subsequent police investigation."
  
  sounds like Twin Peaks to me
  
  and The Walking Dead is supposed to be a real series or is that just a one-off thing for halloween?
  October 11, 2010 at 3:28AM EST
- Guest I didn't realize they had so much on the schedule. Rubicon might not be back then. I think Mad Men is still set for next summer, they pushed Breaking Bad back to avoid as much competition during the spring(which is ridiculous by the way). Mad men does really well at it's current time and schedule, so I don't see them moving it.
  October 11, 2010 at 3:33AM EST
- Jeremy The Walking Dead will be an ongoing series, bunson. The comic it is based on has been published regularly since 2003.
  October 11, 2010 at 9:47AM EST
- I'm guessing AMC will withhold their final decision until early in the new year. Critics top 10 lists could play a role in bringing this show back.
  
  I only pay attention to a few critics, so does anybody know what the critical consensus is for Rubicon? It became a very different show after the first few episodes and I don't know how many critics stuck with it.
  October 11, 2010 at 5:46PM EST
When the explosion happened in Galveston I was so not expecting that. I immediately assumed it was a diversion from the real thing. Then the reality sunk in. I didn't expect Kteb to be in Texas, because big time crazy stuff on TV rarely happens in Houston. There was that A-bomb in Independence Day.

Early on when Kteb is driving, the song playing seemed to imply that he's a patsy.

Kteb has a HUGE appetite.

I'm confused about Bloom. They said he & Kteb were always in town together? Or was it someone else? Must be someone else, because isn't Bloom just a hitman?

I wish I was as powerful as Kale. He seems to have a solution to every problem, & the means to effect that solution. Plus he can do that Vulcan neck paralyzer.

Katherine Rhumer annoys me. She seems like the archetypal helpless woman. Give the woman some agency already. She's so meek. Plus she's stuck in an apt all day with nothing to read. I would go mad with boredom.

I hope for some resolution with Andy, but I'm afraid I'm not going to get. At least have Will tell her "you know that terrorism stuff today? I was supposed to stop that." A man can dream.
October 11, 2010 at 1:05AM EST Reply to Comment
- citylife80 I wish I WAS Kale. And another part of American culture he partook in was masturbating to porn in a hotel room. Though that may be universal.....
  October 11, 2010 at 2:42AM EST
- bunson Bloom was in town with Tanaz, one of Kateb's buddies
  
  kateb - tanaz - bloom - kale - spangler
  October 11, 2010 at 3:30AM EST
Omar + Kale = Kings

Not renewing this show would be a tragedy along the lines of...well, i'm not sure what. The last show I truly loved which got canceled was Carnivale - from what I understand for mostly budgetary reasons. Rubicon cannot have a tremendous budget, and AMC literally has this niche of the TV market cornered. The other options in the same thematic field (Burn Notice, Covert Affairs) are entertaining, but it's like the difference between seeking crime drama on USA versus HBO.

I hope that casting call is legit, but who really knows. As far as AMC goes, I like to think that they produce their shows for the artistic value of them and the praise they garner, and that the bottom line is not the only thing driving it. They've consistently produced a bunch of high quality television for over 3 years now, and they've got HBO in a stranglehold. Alan, if you have the means and the desire to implore AMC to renew Rubicon for a 2nd season - Please do it! The Walking Dead looks great, but that may be even more of a niche market once the "Halloween" scares wear off (believe me i'll watch it all)...would hate to see 2 AMC dramas go down the drain...

RENEW RUBICON!
October 11, 2010 at 2:46AM EST Reply to Comment
- OT Rubicon -- but I thought about Carnivale recently. That was such a great series & such a disappointment it was cancelled.
  October 11, 2010 at 4:22AM EST
Snowcool

Did anyone else notice that the voices were off a bit throughout the episode? First when Will was talking to Kale outside of Spangler's office and then when Will and Grant were in New Jersey it was off quite a bit.

Other than that, this has been a good show. It took a while for things to get moving, but it was well worth the wait. I hope that AMC renews it and gives it second season because the characters are just too good to be limited to one season.
October 11, 2010 at 6:50AM EST Reply to Comment
conrad

my heart was racing throughout. spangler really took this ep for me...especially the scene when he was on the phone with the fbi agent's boss and basically told the guy to eff himself and listen to miles. great stuff.

this has to be the first time we actually saw spangler nervous [he was trembling when lighting the cig after seeing the pic of kale, maggie, and kathryn].

that said, spangler looked pretty pleased with himself at the end of the ep when he tells his assistant that everyone can wait a few minutes on the phone.
October 11, 2010 at 8:58AM EST Reply to Comment
Wholi

This episode certainly did have the feel of a season finale.
I took Truxton sending Will to NJ as a way of getting him out of the way after surviving the attack, knowing Will would not be unlikely to find out what was going on in time to stop it.

Truxton is feeling the pressure (the shaking hands while smoking) and, as I guessed last week, I think he ends up getting a four leaf clover and is 'eliminated'. This opens up the position of director of API for Kale and allows for the 'self-contained' episodes in season 2.

Wholi

PS Anyone see that Dallas Roberts (Miles) will be on The Good Wife this week (10/12)?
October 11, 2010 at 9:56AM EST Reply to Comment
Jeremy

I agree that this episode would have made a good finale (which I thought it was until the end credits).
October 11, 2010 at 9:56AM EST Reply to Comment
conrad

kale's monologue in the apartment finally revealed what the name of the show is all about:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rubicon#History

i think the analogy is clear, what spangler orchestrated through kateb has clearly passed the point of no return. atlas mcdowell is the worst of the worst.
October 11, 2010 at 10:33AM EST Reply to Comment
- mjunior Reply to comment...
  October 11, 2010 at 11:17AM EST
- mjunior I took early on that Will had passed the point of no return. The more he dug around, the more he must have known that he was in danger considering what happened to David Halas. Once he started digging, he pasted his point of no return. I did love how Kale tied that up to the full arc as well.
  October 11, 2010 at 11:19AM EST
- conrad yes, this episode delivered a lot of 'news.' knowing the story of ceaser and the rubicon didn't tell viewers anything about the specifics of the show.
  
  what's been revealed are the roles of the players and why things happened the way they did.
  
  knowing what 'rubicon' means historically didn't have much significance for this show until last night's ep.
  October 11, 2010 at 11:25AM EST
- conrad disregard above since other post was deleted.
  
  mjunior - yes, i think there are a lot of "points of no return" in the show. that said, i think the big one [at least of season 1] has to be conspiring to commit terrorism on home soil.
  October 11, 2010 at 11:32AM EST
1. Anyone else turned off my the stereotypical New Jersey characters used in the interview scenes. I've gotten so used to the quality of writing and casting on this show I found the depiction of these two characters surprising.
2. Kale is one of the most interesting characters on television. If Rubicon makes a second season I will have to put together one of those lists for Kale the way people did for Jack Bauer.
October 11, 2010 at 2:40PM EST Reply to Comment
- Angela Gregory, I felt the same about the New Jersey characters. The best part was in the way that Grant handled the interview with Katab's old girlfriend, (I forget her name). He was just so.... empathetic, and good with making her feel OK.
  October 11, 2010 at 5:55PM EST
The Hoobie

Alan, with respect, please don't write off Rubicon's renewal chances yet. Spurred on by the estimable Mo Ryan, a bunch of us fans ("Rubies") are taking action and making as much noise as we can about the show. I HAVE to hope and act as if, like Will last night, we're not minutes late and pennies short in doing so.

One main component of our making noise about the show is Twitter. There are now @SaveRubicon, @truxtonspangler, @KaleIngram, @tanyamacgaffin, and @TheWillTravers feeds. (@truxtonspangler in particular is hilarious and awesome.)

I read just this morning that downloads of Rubicon have spiked on iTunes. Between alternate revenue sources like that, the fans' mobilization, and critics like Poniewozik, Ryan, and VanDerWerff directly voicing their wish for a renewal, I hope AMC will feel supported in renewing the show.

Regarding the quality of the last episode of this season and a potential second season, Henry Bromell, et al have repeatedly earned this viewer's trust and repaid it handsomely. I for one am happy to make the bet that the 13th episode and a second season will be worthwhile.
October 11, 2010 at 4:18PM EST Reply to Comment
- conrad where's @milesfiedler? best analyst on the team next to will.
  October 11, 2010 at 4:22PM EST
I really hope this show gets renewed. What would I like to see next week? A season finale that doesn't end on a cliffhanger but on a conclusion. An ending that doesn't require season 2 to pick up exactly where season 1 left off. I'm sick of shows like that.
October 11, 2010 at 5:27PM EST Reply to Comment
Angela

I just love this show. I have no concerns about the last episode, in part because as Jason said, I'm used to The Wire approach where all the bad stuff happens in this episode and the last ties up loose ends. I also have total faith in the writers.

I never have been good at speculating possible outcomes, I read they had 8 different endings, so as long as it's not a fairy tale ending, I'll be happy.

I loved the pace and quick build of Wayward Sons. The tension was amazing, especially once Kale had Maggie in his car. Phew!

Well, I can't think of anything else to say except that I have grown to look forward to this show as much as any other of my all time favs., like Mad Men, Deadwood, 6 Feet Under, BSG, etc. I even wrote AMC, begging for another season, a first for me.

Oh! Which episode of Breaking Bad did Michael Slovis direct?

October 11, 2010 at 6:08PM EST Reply to Comment
belinda

Did Tanya take that pill?

I really hope this show gets renewed. How bad is it doing in the ratings compared to other AMC shows?
October 11, 2010 at 6:45PM EST Reply to Comment
- belinda I just found last week's ratings. Mad Men got about 2 million and Rubicon got .99 million. Breaking Bad had about 1.2 million (! wow. I thought it was doing better) at the end of season 3 (started out with 1.9, so it never broke 2 million the whole season).
  
  So, it's not like Rubicon was doing absolutely horribly. It's not doing well, but it doesn't seem entirely hopeless.
  October 11, 2010 at 6:53PM EST
- Dezbot I think Tanya took the pill. It looked like she popped it into her mouth before taking a drink. Relapsing like that is very realistic.
  October 13, 2010 at 10:26AM EST
aforkosh

NPR this morning had a story on am American in Al-Qaida. See http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=130434651

Kteb?
October 11, 2010 at 7:37PM EST Reply to Comment
Cecile

From "Wayward Sons." What is the name of the classric rock tune in the first half of the show? Somewhat bluesy. Please, someone, tell me the song. I recall it from my youth and don't know the name.
October 12, 2010 at 12:21AM EST Reply to Comment
Cecile

Got it! Found it in the title of this article. Whipping Post by the Allman Bros. Yes! Off to iTunes right now.
October 12, 2010 at 12:31AM EST Reply to Comment
@ Cecile: "Carry on my Wayward Son" is by Kansas.

@ the ether: So it looks like David would have cracked this case in an instant. He literally wrote the book on The Houston Problem, which the Island Boys gave to Kateb as an instruction manual.

It makes you wonder: Was David murdered because he dug too deeply into API or because he unwittingly plotted a terrorist attack? And if the Island Boys had always used API information to help shape global events, how come David seems to be the only analyst that was ever silenced?
October 12, 2010 at 2:53AM EST Reply to Comment
- Hannah Lee Thinking about the Kansas song reminded me: didn't they have another hit song called "How Long to the Point of No Return"? Even though that song wasn't used, having Kansas in the episode kind of invokes it, which ties nicely to the series title and themes picked up this episode.
  October 12, 2010 at 8:58AM EST
- BPym And of course 'Dust in The Wind' most famous for its use in Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure!
  October 12, 2010 at 12:41PM EST
- Hannah Lee, the song is "Point of Know Return"... not "...No Return". It is featured in the album with the same title.
  October 16, 2010 at 9:23PM EST
Leo Koziol

There is a scene is "Meet Me In St Louis" where they are at the 1904 World's Fair. One of the highlights of the fair that year was a re-creation of the destruction of Galveston in the great hurricane of 1900. The children are keen to see the re-creation, and it is a highlight of the fair. I don't know if this is the link, but it does seem more than just a coincidence.
October 12, 2010 at 7:01AM EST Reply to Comment
- conrad good find. can see more info here:
  
  http://webpages.charter.net/mtruax/1904wf/Pike%20US%20Attractions.htm#Galveston
  
  and here:
  
  http://www.tlaupp.com/galveston.html
  
  i'm not sure if the connection is an 'easter egg' of sorts for devoted rubies [as we're apparently calling ourselves] or the intended clue from tom.
  
  if it's the clue it's too little too late. considering kathryn found the dvds at the end of the last ep, i'm leaning towards the theory that one of the disks has data files on it linking the f.i. boys to kateb and past deeds. regardless...i like the link.
  
  btw - i especially liked the bullet, "then the beauty of a new galveston 'arises' from the destruction."
  October 12, 2010 at 9:06AM EST

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Comments

Option 1

Option 2

Option 3

Sareeta AMC has not officially renewed it, so as much as I'd like to believe it has been given a second season, I'll wait for the official statement. I have read reports indicating that Jason Horwitch is already planning season 2 in case it gets picked up.

I'm with you here, Sareeta. As I said, it's okay to speculate, but this one bit of info probably doesn't constitute actual evidence. I hope it happens, but I'm steeling myself for a non-pickup more and more each day.

leviramsey Horwich has nothing to do with the show now... it's Bromell's baby. But he has at least mapped out a second series (with more "self-contained" episodes).

conrad *crosses fingers*

Angela @ Jason, Once I hear the answer I'm sure I'll think it was a stupid question, but why can't Will can't tell anyone? Because he killed Bloom? Please explain.

cgeye Four words: "Too Big to Fail". If bankers flagrantly and defiantly breaking the law cause an economic downfall and not one goes to the big house, then Atlas has absolutely nothing to worry about.

I for one did not expect that they would fail to stop Kateb.As for a possible finale, while this would be unrealistic in today's intelligence circles, I would like Spangler to be brought to justice. One way or the other.

Sue I also thought it weird that Spangler did not react to seeing Will. Will seemed surprised, too. Hmm- who could have told Spangler? I thought the last scene was moving.

M.A.Peel I wondered again about that one drop of blood that the "cleaner" left in Will's apartment. Was it left deliberately, or just an oversight?

Lyle In the end Will returned home and rubbed the wall the same way he rubbed the spot, except this time there were no stain. I think this meant that the drop of blood on Will's wall is as real as the spot on Lady MacBeth's hand.

Angela @Lyle, Ah, now I see. Perfect.

@lyle, The spot was there until will washed it off, sos it was a real spot at one point, but I guess you're right about it becoming an 'out damned spot' kind of deal.

Sue Great comments. Yes, the line of Grant about how he couldn't bear to have something happen to them was moving seeing Will listening next to him. I think that played into Will's breakdown in the last scene- he tried so hard to stop another attack and was so close- but failed.

NiceCinematography This show has great intros...oh no, it's Breaking Bad. How much longer?

Jason Some of the 9/11 hijackers were said to have frequented a strip club. So as a plot element, it's not totally off base.

You're thinking conservative Christianity. Islam has different sexual mores, especially for men.

Plus which, who knows what kind of jihadist "Islam" Joe Purcell ended up following.

T. Smith @cgeye One of the first episodes of BB had Skyler giving Walt a handjob under the covers.

Guest Alan, does AMC have any other show, excluding The Walking Dead in production? Because if not, I would think they renew Rubicon and air it in the spring since Breaking Bad won't be back till next summer.

Jeremy The Walking Dead will be an ongoing series, bunson. The comic it is based on has been published regularly since 2003.

citylife80 I wish I WAS Kale. And another part of American culture he partook in was masturbating to porn in a hotel room. Though that may be universal.....

bunson Bloom was in town with Tanaz, one of Kateb's buddieskateb - tanaz - bloom - kale - spangler

OT Rubicon -- but I thought about Carnivale recently. That was such a great series & such a disappointment it was cancelled.

Jeremy I agree that this episode would have made a good finale (which I thought it was until the end credits).

conrad kale's monologue in the apartment finally revealed what the name of the show is all about:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rubicon#Historyi think the analogy is clear, what spangler orchestrated through kateb has clearly passed the point of no return. atlas mcdowell is the worst of the worst.

mjunior Reply to comment...

conrad disregard above since other post was deleted.mjunior - yes, i think there are a lot of "points of no return" in the show. that said, i think the big one [at least of season 1] has to be conspiring to commit terrorism on home soil.

Angela Gregory, I felt the same about the New Jersey characters. The best part was in the way that Grant handled the interview with Katab's old girlfriend, (I forget her name). He was just so.... empathetic, and good with making her feel OK.

conrad where's @milesfiedler? best analyst on the team next to will.

I really hope this show gets renewed. What would I like to see next week? A season finale that doesn't end on a cliffhanger but on a conclusion. An ending that doesn't require season 2 to pick up exactly where season 1 left off. I'm sick of shows like that.

belinda Did Tanya take that pill? I really hope this show gets renewed. How bad is it doing in the ratings compared to other AMC shows?

Dezbot I think Tanya took the pill. It looked like she popped it into her mouth before taking a drink. Relapsing like that is very realistic.

aforkosh NPR this morning had a story on am American in Al-Qaida. See http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=130434651Kteb?

Cecile From "Wayward Sons." What is the name of the classric rock tune in the first half of the show? Somewhat bluesy. Please, someone, tell me the song. I recall it from my youth and don't know the name.

Cecile Got it! Found it in the title of this article. Whipping Post by the Allman Bros. Yes! Off to iTunes right now.

Hannah Lee Thinking about the Kansas song reminded me: didn't they have another hit song called "How Long to the Point of No Return"? Even though that song wasn't used, having Kansas in the episode kind of invokes it, which ties nicely to the series title and themes picked up this episode.

BPym And of course 'Dust in The Wind' most famous for its use in Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure!

Hannah Lee, the song is "Point of Know Return"... not "...No Return". It is featured in the album with the same title.

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conrad crosses fingers

I for one did not expect that they would fail to stop Kateb.

As for a possible finale, while this would be unrealistic in today's intelligence circles, I would like Spangler to be brought to justice. One way or the other.

Sue

I also thought it weird that Spangler did not react to seeing Will. Will seemed surprised, too. Hmm- who could have told Spangler?
I thought the last scene was moving.

M.A.Peel

I wondered again about that one drop of blood that the "cleaner" left in Will's apartment. Was it left deliberately, or just an oversight?

NiceCinematography

This show has great intros...oh no, it's Breaking Bad. How much longer?

Guest

Alan, does AMC have any other show, excluding The Walking Dead in production? Because if not, I would think they renew Rubicon and air it in the spring since Breaking Bad won't be back till next summer.

bunson Bloom was in town with Tanaz, one of Kateb's buddies

kateb - tanaz - bloom - kale - spangler

Jeremy

I agree that this episode would have made a good finale (which I thought it was until the end credits).

conrad disregard above since other post was deleted.

mjunior - yes, i think there are a lot of "points of no return" in the show. that said, i think the big one [at least of season 1] has to be conspiring to commit terrorism on home soil.

belinda

Did Tanya take that pill?

I really hope this show gets renewed. How bad is it doing in the ratings compared to other AMC shows?

aforkosh

NPR this morning had a story on am American in Al-Qaida. See http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=130434651

Kteb?

Cecile

From "Wayward Sons." What is the name of the classric rock tune in the first half of the show? Somewhat bluesy. Please, someone, tell me the song. I recall it from my youth and don't know the name.

Cecile

Got it! Found it in the title of this article. Whipping Post by the Allman Bros. Yes! Off to iTunes right now.

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