HitFix First Look: The 'Strike Back' guys go on the run
Scott and Stonebridge are under attack on all sides in the start of a new two-parter
As I said a couple of weeks ago, "Strike Back" is one of those shows I deeply enjoy but don't usually have a ton to say about. But I thought the just-concluded two-parter with Stonebridge and Scott defending their shabby little fort against overwhelming odds was pretty splendid. And tonight's episode begins a new two-parter that puts the machinations of Tywin Lannister (or whatever name Charles Dance is going by in this series) more into focus while also advancing the character arcs for the revenge-fueled Stonebridge and for Scott.
I've got an exclusive clip of tonight's episode, with the guys trying to escape an ambush, but I also thought I'd use this post as an opportunity for the handful of "Strike Back" fans we have around here to discuss the season so far. Have at it.
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September 7, 2012 at 1:45PM EST Reply to CommentThe above scene is something that's really in Strike Back's wheelhouse, a sharp, quick-moving bit of action with a limited number of baddies. As much as I liked the "defend the Alamo" scenes in this past episode, the show's budget cracks a bit around the edges with a big battles like this. How many times do we the same extra in a different turban get blown up? But it's a minor quibble for such a fine show.
As I noted over on the AV Club, It's kind of amazing how good this show is. I'm finding it a lot more enjoyable than a lot of the top drawer dramas on the more "respectable" cable networks.
One thing I've noticed this seaspm is that the women are basically running things on the good guy side. Scott and Stonebridge are the main ones out pulling the triggers, but the ladies are setting the priorities and given the orders, whether it's in Section 20, the CIA or even even on the tribal side these past two episodes. It's a compelling dynamic.
I really liked Markunda, the Tuareg Cheiftan or whatever. She's an interesting character. I loved the way she just slit El Soldat's throat at the end. Plus, Lilly Eido really exotic and beautiful. I'd love to see Markunda again, although I suppose that's unlikely. My only complaint is that we didn't really get to see her naked. Yes, I'm a pig.
One last thing... nuclear triggers? Ok, I realize that they're just the maguffin and I shouldn't think too hard about it, but what are they going to be used for? I assume they're used to build a nuclear bomb. Are we assuming that Charles Dance has some weapons grade plutonium that he wasn't really doing anything with until somebody popped up with "nuclear triggers" for sale?
aamadis Actually, Markunda (Was that her name? I never caught it) was the one thing I didn't like about the first two eps. She was just so ridiculously dressed that every time she appeared on screen I was pulled out of the story. I don't know much about the Tuareg people, but I had to stop the video a few times and google them to assure myself that NO TUAREG WOMAN RUNS AROUND IN DESIGNER LEATHER PANTS AND A LEATHER BUSTIER! There were other ways they could have gone with that character, especially since the actress was so beautiful to begin with. I know, there were other stupid outfits (the female sniper in wedge heels, for one) but Tuareg rebel lady made me laugh out loud several times. Not good.
September 7, 2012 at 2:00PM ESTOther than that, I still really like this show.
aamadis Oh, and that should have been the second two eps, not the first two.
September 7, 2012 at 2:06PM ESTDezbot I think Dance's character has been amassing the elements it will take to build a nuclear bomb, and the triggers are just another part he needs.
September 10, 2012 at 11:06AM ESTsnapthejap
September 7, 2012 at 2:01PM EST Reply to CommentI LOVE Strike Back and couldn't agree more about finding few things to say about it. (I've deleted my next couple of sentences 3 times already) Well done action, sharp writing, good attention to detail, and just enough sex to qualify for the "skinemax" label. It's such a pleasurable show, it should be called SINemax.
Col Bat Guano I just caught up with the first two seasons (including the U.K. S1 with John Porter) and haven't had a chance to get to S3, but this description pretty much covers it. This is what 24 wanted to be.
September 10, 2012 at 3:48AM ESTDezbot Is that first season with John Porter worth seeking out?
September 10, 2012 at 11:01AM ESTCol Bat Guano S1 is not quite as good as S2, but it's only 6 episodes and it goes by quickly.
September 10, 2012 at 12:33PM ESTMimi
September 7, 2012 at 5:26PM EST Reply to CommentThis show is totally outside my normal wheelhouse but I love it. Right now it is the only reason I kept my HBO w/ free cinemax package.
I noticed the abusrdity of the Tuareg chief's outfit but that fit with the way this show is absurd. This is the perfct late summer show to me.
Jimmbo
September 7, 2012 at 6:57PM EST Reply to CommentI've never seen the show. Is this the sort of series I can just barge in on, or do I need to catch up first?
Tarasa Kudos for considering it - it really is a fun show. The "better than it needs to be" really is fitting. Having said that, I think you can jump in and I think by your second episode, you'll get it. BUT I recommend trying to find the "first" Cinemax (or actual second) season - it's on DVD (and probably OnDemand)
September 7, 2012 at 10:20PM ESTCoolpeace
September 7, 2012 at 7:16PM EST Reply to CommentI really enjoy this show. I believe the chemistry and rapport between Stonebridge and Scott makes this show above average fare. Living vicariously through their exploits is so much fun !!
Bill
September 7, 2012 at 9:11PM EST Reply to CommentI'm new to the show, but I really like the way they parcel out the season in two episode blocks. I hear Justified might be trying something similar-ish for its next season. And I also very much enjoy seeing every single character from Game of Thrones show up as a villain. Maybe next season we can have Tyrion as the big bad?
Vaughn Where did you hear that?
September 8, 2012 at 11:48AM ESTCory
September 7, 2012 at 10:52PM EST Reply to CommentI LOVE this show. When trying to get my other guy freinds to watch it I decribe it as "24 with swearing and boobies".
John See, that's the problem. It's not 24. It's not even close to 24, really. Unless you care about boobs on your TV (I'm not exactly complaining), there is literally nothing that this show does as well as that show did. 24 had much better writing and much better acting (with the notable exceptions of the Strike Back villains, who are often played by Game of Thrones actors). And even on the action front, it has it beat (24 is without question the greatest action show of all time). And 24 had a cast of memorable characters that I cared about, especially if they died. I just don't care about any of these characters, even when they die. I don't hate them or anything, but I'm not exactly attached to them either. Don't get me wrong. Strike Back is still a good show and worth watching (I just wished they had stuck with the original cast from the first season that aired only in Britain--*that* show was as close to 24 as anything I've seen). But it's a solid B at its best, not an A like 24 was at its best. There's no shame in that. It's like making a mob show that isn't as good as The Sopranos or a sports show that isn't as good as Friday Night Lights or a science fiction show that isn't as good as Battlestar Galactica or a fantasy show that isn't as good as Game of Thrones. Just because it isn't an all-time great doesn't mean it can't be good. I wish people would just stop with the comparisons and let it stand on its own.
September 8, 2012 at 7:11PM ESTCol Bat Guano 24 got an A for the first half of S1. Everything else after that was C+ tops. Cougar trap anyone?
September 10, 2012 at 3:50AM ESTMahmoud Fayed The cougar excuse for saying 24 isn't a quality TV series is getting seriously old.
September 14, 2012 at 8:23PM ESTcory I only use the "24 with swearing and boobies" as a very broad description of the show while trying to be a little humorous. It isn't like we can have deep talks about a show most of my coworkers have not seen.
September 14, 2012 at 8:36PM ESTHatfield
September 8, 2012 at 2:44AM EST Reply to CommentBelloq!
Hatfield Ok, getting past my excitement at the rather timely appearance of the greatest Indiana Jones villain, I have to say this was the best episode so far this season. Certainly that had a lot to do with the increased Charles Dance screen time, but as Myles McNutt pointed out, the different personal investments for Scott and Stonebridge really elevated it.
September 8, 2012 at 3:50PM ESTIt's odd that overall I haven't enjoyed this season as much as I did the last up to the halfway point, but I do feel like the story has the ability to come to an even better conclusion. The constant presence of Matlock and his sniper girlfriend has added some continuity that the string of Latif collaborators couldn't quite accomplish last season. Unfortunately, Vincent Regan has been saddled with his awful American accent, something that usually doesn't bother me, but in this case it feels like it's affecting his performance. Up to this point I've seen no reason for him to be American, and as Regan is British, this seems like a major misstep. Part of what made the early going so strong last year was the presence of pros like Liam Cunningham and Iain Glen, but if either of them had been asked to play American I'm sure they would have faced some of the same struggles. And don't even get me started on that awful blonde CIA woman. Her performance seems like she wandered over to this set from a Birdemic sequel.
Going back to Matlock, though, I'm a sucker for villains who respect the good guys and also have a code, and we've seen in his dealings all season, in particular now with Hanson and the kidnapped boy, that he's far from a monster. I suspect parallels will be drawn between him and whatever Dalton knows about Scott's past, and I dig it.
Rhona Mitra has felt somewhat wasted since the first two episodes, so I hope she gets into the field more from here on out. Currently she's more or less a younger version of Grant, the tough as nails female superior officer who knows things about Scott.
I can't tell if the above comes out positive on the whole, but I really do love this show. I do worry that one of our heroes may die by season's close--what with Scott's secrets and continued lapses in judgement, and Stonebridge's reckless, borderline suicidal behavior and desire for vengeance--but I have faith that the show will know how to make something like that count if they go there, much like Grant's death last year.
Lia
September 8, 2012 at 12:08PM EST Reply to CommentNot going to be very eloquent, I mean this show is not Breaking Bad, that's ok it doesn't try to be, what it is is a kick in the pants every darn week!!!
Dezbot
September 10, 2012 at 11:07AM EST Reply to CommentI mostly watch this show for the action and the bromance. Can't wait to see how Scott deals with Stonebridge (and vice-versa, since Scott knew Hansen was in Cape Town) since Stonebridge lost Belloq because he was too busy trying to kill Hansen.