I wrote a whole essay about scenes where men look at themselves in the mirror. Mirrors are amazing thematic and visual motifs, but they also work for moments where a character has to grapple with himself. Women grapple too. But because of societal norms – as well as enormous different kinds of psychological and cultural pressures – male grappling is re-directed and/or internalized – and how does one show on film something so deeply internal? Enter: the mirror scene.
These scenes are really useful for characters who walk through the world behind a persona. And “persona” could just be something like “I am normal” “I am a good person” “I am unthreatening”. However, when this person is alone at home, staring in the mirror, the truth comes out. OR, looking in the mirror is the character’s attempt to get to the truth, because the persona is so set in stone they don’t even KNOW anymore. They’re so used to hiding their softer spots.
And so there’s an extended mirror moment in Countdown, the new series which will unfold over this summer, one episode a week. The first three episodes launched a couple of days ago. I was excited to watch, because of Jensen Ackles, and then got very sucked in to the thing as a whole. The setup is cliched, but as I’ve said a million times, if a cliche is used well, it’s because the cliche works. Cliches can be lazy but they don’t have to be. They’ve hired a diverse cast of good solid actors – not just pretty new faces – people with some miles on them, in other words. I’m old. I appreciate people with mileage.
Ackles plays a Los Angeles police officer who has done mostly undercover work, and it all sounds very dangerous. Like, there’s mention of his time infiltrating an Aryan gang. Literal Nazis. When we first meet him he’s in prison in an undercover capacity, but he’s been in there for eight months. He’s off the grid. It’s The Departed shit. Not everyone can do that kind of work. You can’t really have normal attachments, a wife or kids, even a social life. (His counterpart is Amber, played by Jessica Camacho, who works mostly undercover, finds desk-job work tedious, and loves the adrenaline of being undercover. Nothing can compete with it.)
Pulled out of undercover to be on this supposed rag-tag task force, Ackles’ Mark swaggers through the office, antagonizing people, but trying to be charming, or maybe he’s not even trying. His charm isn’t charm at all. Charm has to WORK to be charming, lol. He doesn’t care. He’s not used to normal interactions and doesn’t seem to value it. He emanates “personal train wreck”. Being legitimately open with anyone is not on the table for him. If you’re going to watch the series, I won’t spoil it, but he has a secret. (Most of the characters do.) And his secret is a bad one. A scary one. He has told no one. Who would he tell anyway? He has no friends and no family (at least not as seen in the first three episodes).
Enter: an overwhelming mirror scene which opens episode three. (On the Plaidcast, I brought up Countdown near the end of the podcast, because the trailer had just dropped, and Bethany said, “Wasn’t there a Jensen mirror moment in the trailer?” I couldn’t remember if there was but … YES. There is a mirror moment par excellence in episode 3.) Jensen Ackles had so many fantastic mirror moments in Supernatural, which I documented in their entirety over on my personal meaningless Instagram project: Movie Mirrors. You’ll have to scroll back but they’re all there, 15 seasons of Dean Winchester mirror moments. Dean is a character MADE for mirror moments since
1. he’s so tough
2. he is a master at pushing stuff down
3. he is really good at compartmentalizing to such a degree that he actually doesn’t know what’s going on with himself.
So episode three of Countdown begins with Mark, at home, alone, taking a shower, grappling with what’s going on. He’s in the truth of his situation and it’s upsetting. He’s face to face with the secret. The scene goes on and on. He gets out of the shower and begins to consider himself in the mirror. He avoids it at first, and then faces it, leaning in, to stare at himself eyeball to eyeball. This is what I am here for. This is why I love these moments and have an entire category on my site called “mirrors“. Mark is trying – at the very least – to be there for himself. He’s avoiding the landscape of the secret, and is in active denial about what should be done. He knows what should be done but he is refusing to deal with it. There’s a devil-may-care kind of thing with his persona, but “devil-may-care” is synonymous with “death wish”. Here, alone, he feels the weight of it.
If there’s a mirror in a room, we are not alone. You can’t hide from your own reflection. Mark’s reflection says: You can lie to everyone else, Mark, but you can’t lie to me.
This is so on ppint. I love your analyses in general, but especially of Jensen Ackles and mirror moments. The one in Regarding Dean wiped me out for days since I was dealing with dementia and moments of transient identity loss in my ex. That mirror captured all of his terror in 2 minutes top. He talked about it at a con, honing in on the technical issues of having to visualize the camera as the non-existent mirror. This is so on character for this craftsman – carefully guarding his empathic skills and gladly discussing the challenges of filmmaking.
Jude – I am so sorry to hear about your ex. It is such a devastating disease.
Regarding Dean was a great one because it was one of those direct to camera, camera as mirror moments – he has quite a few of those – but that one obviously is the most dramatic. Incredibly vulnerable work. I’d love to hear him talk about it! I’ll look for that clip!
thanks so much for reading and commenting.
I found the clip of him talking about it. So interesting!
“Imagine this is a mirror.”
Those are the magic words!
If there’s a mirror in a room, we are not alone.
oooooo I love this.
It made me so happy to be able to sit down and smash out all three episodes of a new Jensen show on Wednesday night! I don’t feel like Countdown is making good enough use of its cliches overall – frankly I feel like its butch gravitas veers silly too often – but I do enjoy the lively heisty bits which bring in some energy, and also very much the scenes where Jensen is trying to pull together a character (over a walking $700 leather jacket haha). And his secret has the potential to deliver with character choices and behaviour, like here (a hell of a mirror moment!) and at the end of episode 3 when he has the gun on him.
Of course, it also puts me in mind of a couple of seasons of SPN – s14 (?) when he has Michael trapped in his head (got that wincing practice in!) but more importantly, s3, where Dean is also “terminal” and spends 16 episodes navigating how he feels about that. I wonder if there’ll be a similar journey here. It’s interesting to me that Meachum doesn’t start in an hedonistic place; even after coming out of 9 months in prison, he doesn’t seem to be attracted to anything (food, alcohol, sex) except maybe work and adrenaline. I hope it’s purposeful and not a symptom of the generic sexlessness of so much film and tv! I have my fingers crossed it will be explored in a compelling way.
Also is it just me or does the Belorussian revenge artist look a lot like Misha in 80% of his shots?!
Jessie! Hi! Yeah I really enjoyed banging through the first three eps – and look forward to seeing where this goes.
// feel like its butch gravitas veers silly too often // agreed. There’s not a lot of irony. At least not in the tone. I do like the look of the thing, actually – I didn’t really talk about that – and I do appreciate that they are really shooting in these different locations. You don’t see stuff like this a lot anymore. It’s VERY ambitious – it looks so expensive!
// the scenes where Jensen is trying to pull together a character //
It’s so fun right? It’s so fun watching him work. And he actually has a character to play – it’s generic, in the way these types of things often are – all the different “types” on the task force – but there’s enough meat on the bone that he actually has something to PLAY. it’s not just a snarky attitude. there’s stuff behind it. of course there is because he puts stuff behind everything – even season 13 and 15 of supernatural hahaha – but there’s more here. And I’m intrigued by the characters – there’s not a TON there but it’s enough – and I think they’re all really good actors so they’re filling it. I just think that’s important because it could so easily have been just characters who weren’t characters at all, just broad attitudes. I’m really intrigued by who Amber is – like what’s her deal, what’s going on.
// And his secret has the potential to deliver with character choices and behaviour, like here (a hell of a mirror moment!) and at the end of episode 3 when he has the gun on him. //
Yes. And I’m really looking forward to seeing how it plays out. I liked the moment he had alone in the truck with Amber – where he basically drops the attitude (more on that in a moment) and says something like “if you want to go outside the box with this, I’m in”. so I think this is an interesting potential relationship – not necessarily romantic – just a partnership – especially because they both seem to be pretty untethered and also addicted to undercover work. they’re both weirdos.
So the attitude he had towards Amber – how he almost immediately hit on her. Or .. not even? What WAS that? It wasn’t flirting because it had this edge to it. It felt a little manufactured – but was that the character? I’m not sure. I’m curious if this was like the pilot of Supernatural – where his character was written a certain way – and his talent made him immediately start to undercut it? Because he was adding stuff to it that another actor might not add to it. It was flirting but it was unfriendly. I found that interesting. So was it written by someone who yearns for the good old days of 1980s action films when men got to be wisecracking swashbucklers – tossing off oneliners at pretty girls – winking at her practically – – is it that cliched? Or is there something deeper at work? I felt like Jensen was doing something deeper. So was it thin material he was beefing up – and of course justifying it – or … is it baked into the structure? I’m sure my questions will be answered with future episodes – to see how this thing plays out and how his character is revealed.
Because if they’re setting up the two of them to hook up – then okay – that would make sense story-wise – but the way he played it was … it’s weird, it was a cliche but he made it weird. hahahaha kind of like what he did VERY early on with Dean Winchester.
I am probably reading WAY too much into this.
// Meachum doesn’t start in an hedonistic place; even after coming out of 9 months in prison, he doesn’t seem to be attracted to anything (food, alcohol, sex) except maybe work and adrenaline. //
Yes, this for me is the most interesting part. We only saw the bathroom at his apartment – so I couldn’t get a look at his living environment – but I imagine he basically SQUATS places. like, he doesn’t nest. We saw Amber’s apartment a little bit – and it was really sparse and anonymous-looking. So I think those two characters are both lone wolves – and off the grid – I mean think of our first glimpses of both of them!!
// I hope it’s purposeful and not a symptom of the generic sexlessness of so much film and tv! I have my fingers crossed it will be explored in a compelling way. //
You and me both. I actually feel hopeful that they know where they’re going. Its clearly plot-driven, not character-driven – and that’s fine. I feel like Amber and Mark are the most compelling – the others feel a little bit sketched in – and the whole birthday cake thing felt a little silly to me – like, who are those two agents? isn’t there some other way we can learn who they are, not this silly little “should we get cupcakes or a cake” thing?
The scene where the Belarussian uncle guy had the gun on him was fantastic! that whole sequence – the set!! it was very tense.
I saw one of the interviews Jensen gave last week and he was saying he lived in LA for 18 years and this show brought him to places he’d never been to, whole areas he had never stepped foot in. I really love the location aspect of it.
I’m excited. Something to look forward to during the summer. something, anything! I’ll take what I can get!
and his hair flopping in his face!
So was it thin material he was beefing up – and of course justifying it – or … is it baked into the structure?
Six episodes in now, almost halfway through the season, and I’m still unsure! They worked hard on developing the Amber-Mark relationship this episode – I liked the joking around at the firing range – but even when appreciating one element of a character dynamic – most notably, that he lied (by omission) to her – I find myself turned off by how flat the dialogue is. Except for what Mark’s hiding, some moments that Jensen brings in, nothing sits underneath what anyone says.* I think this is probably my problem and cross to bear now and if I can’t find a way to accept/enjoy it I’ll just be a pain in my own ass haha.
FBI Guy: Did you know there has never been a black deputy director of the FBI?
Finau: No I didn’t know that.
FBI Guy: I’m going to be the first black deputy director of the FBI.
Finau: Right on.
I mean I get the message that he’s ambitious but you are allowed to leave something unspoken guys come on lol. The show has no trust in the audience – witness the two shots of the GALLAGHER badge at the end. I actually wonder if this is Amazon interference. Shows designed to be watched while you’re on your phone.
I’m with you, Jessie, I want to like it more than I do.
// Shows designed to be watched while you’re on your phone. //
I’ve heard several writers say they get told to show AND tell, and that it’s, explicitly, for the people who are on their phone. How deeply discouraging it must be to receive that note. And it makes me, as an audience member, want to not pay attention, because it makes me feel like the show is gonna be dumb.
// I liked the joking around at the firing range //
Yeah that was a great scene!
// you are allowed to leave something unspoken guys come on lol. //
oh my God when you just type out the exchange like that … yeah. I said below it feels perfunctory – like gestures at character development rather than actual character development. And it’s uneven. I also would have preferred Oliveras to have revealed her secret inadvertently rather than in a long monologue.
At this point, Mark keeping his secret is honestly the most gripping thing about what’s going on in the show. It’s hard to invest in the rest of it.
I also noticed the two shots of Gallagher. smh
and yes – that guy was definitely Misha-esque which was pretty funny.
I thought it was funny in the first episode when Jensen’s Mark mentioned that he had called the task force commander a son of a bitch during a previous assignment. The writers let us know they’ve watched SPN. Mark’s awful flirting game had some Dean-on-a-bad-day energy to it, also.
The mirror scene at the start of the third episode really made Mark a person, for me. Not more likable, not vulnerable, but real with his fears. Seeing him in the time before he puts on his game face. Queue up Billy Joel’s The Stranger.
I wonder when in the planning process the producers decided they would release three episodes at once. When the first episode ended my thoughts were “that’s where they’re going? aw jeeze.” But being able to just go into the next two episodes really allowed for the character development.
I am glad there isn’t too much SPN pandering. Jensen is an actor, Dean is a character, but he has way more people in him than just Dean. And Mark is different. I especially loved the sequence where the Belorussian uncle had the gun on him and was leading him outside. Mark’s negotiation tactics and panic were not Dean’s, it was its own thing and equally authentic.
and yes, agreed on the mirror scene. We’ve already been “let in” on his secret – but there we saw him alone with it. the whole purpose of mirror scenes!! let us see what’s REALLY going on.
I love how he came out of his house to head to work and there was a movie crew setting up on his street. so LA!
and yeah I like the strategy of dropping the 3 episodes and then having one a week for the whole summer. It’s something to look forward to – why don’t these corporate idiots understand that anticipation and wanting to know what happens next allows for audiences to GROW, through word of mouth. this has literally been the modus operandi of television since it was invented – but then these streaming tech idiots changed the game and wrecked the industry. Yeah, let’s drop an entire season all at once. and by the next week it’ll be off the main page and buried. Morons.
//when Jensen’s Mark mentioned that he had called the task force commander a son of a bitch during a previous assignment. The writers let us know they’ve watched SPN. //
In episode 2, when he says something like “I’ve died many times” – he ain’t lying!
I am not a plot person, I can’t follow anything, especially if the characters aren’t developed enough for me to make me care, so right now, bombs, cartels, Belarusians, whatever. First seasons are hard, though, so I’ll give it time. For now, Oliveras’ arms are enough.
It’s good to see Jensen Ackles again, and honestly I’m enjoying the lack of direct reference to Supernatural, because in other shows it felt like weird pandering, like they were scared of the fandom.
yeah I’m liking the lack of references to Supernatural too. I don’t like it when I see it elsewhere either. It embarrasses me. It’s unnecessary.
I like the twists of the plot so far – how the whole expedition to Mexico with the pig feed truck – !! – was in order to gain trust with the cartel guy – so it was a “side” thing but it served the overall purpose of the task force. So elaborate. I loved Mark causing a scene at the border as a distraction. I also enjoy – as I mentioned – that much of this appears to have been shot on real locations – without a lot of green/blue screen work. There’s clearly some but they’ve done the work to literally use Los Angeles as a whole – all its different areas – it’s such a huge “city” – it’s not even a “city”. downtown is tiny. The sprawl is overwhelming. when I lived there I could barely get a handle on the geography. so I like how it’s taking place all over the place.
And what is going on with Eric Dane right now adds a certain poignancy to what I’m seeing. Already in the promotional interviews, you can see the decline – and it’s tragic – I always liked him (and my friend Alex has stories of his kindness to her on Grey’s Anatomy – a notoriously chaotic set: every friend I have who did a guest spot has stories. But Dane was kind and calm and welcoming, and understood that what she was going through – a trans woman playing a trans woman – the first time in history that happened – was kind of more important than what they all were doing as the main cast. So he is a classy person and kind. The interviews he and Jensen gave before Countdown dropped were really touching – that Dane told Jensen his diagnosis before they started shooting, and he was the only one he told. ALS is one of the worst diseases I can think of. Brutal.
// so it was a “side” thing but it served the overall purpose of the task force. So elaborate. //
Yeah, that’s what i mean by I’m not a plot person: I’m dumb, I barely ever understand what’s going on. I’ve already forgotten why Mark made the Belarusian guy escape, I just remember that the guy trusts him, his uncle doesn’t, Mark is in danger, then fire!
I’m very stupid, but that’s okay, I find other things to enjoy! Eventually, the characters’ journey, hopefully.
I still appreciate the vibe, and as you pointed out, the real locations contribute to it – it feels… retro? Just because it’s actual places and not all GI. Also, Amber all sweaty. Rrrrr (also the set that was used in Atomic Blonde. I get distracted by that sort of things)
I didn’t know anything about what’s going on behind the scenes, and I wasn’t even sure where I knew Eric Dane from (I’ve seen a few episodes of Grey’s 20 years ago). It really sucks – it does, in general, but even worse when it’s kind people.
I also was shocked to hear a Metallica song on the soundtrack. They are EXPENSIVE and never let people use their stuff (see: Supernatural).
I think I’m mostly curious about Amber and Mark – which is probably by design. so far I’m not really vibing with the other three – they haven’t given me much. Is Amber hooked on drugs? SOMEthing’s going on. She’s such a good actress I’m looking forwrd to watching it play out – same with Jensen.
and yea Eric Dane. He finally “came out” last week – he’s lost the mobility of his right arm and his left is going. He has two young daughters. It’s tragic. He revealed the diagnosis a couple months ago but during the Countdown junkets he was clearly quite ill, and he’s lost the use of his right arm. So it just sucks but I think he’s enjoying being a part of this project- and leading it really.
// I think I’m mostly curious about Amber and Mark – which is probably by design. //
Yes, everyone else feels very generic so far – except maybe the grieving father, but… did he just die?
The conflict between Mark and Amber wasn’t presented in the most original way either, but I really enjoyed the shared moment of excitement when they’re both undercover in the field – it’s where they shine, and it will probably be the only moments their relationship is smooth, so that promises great fun.
I agree, she is good actress. She looks so tiny with all those big guys, it must be a headache to get everyone in the frame, haha
// he’s lost the mobility of his right arm and his left is going. //
Fuck, that’s quick. He’s young, too. Devastating.
// did he just die? //
he did. I was irritated by the overt symbolism of the birthday cake and the accidental “final” on it – and the red herring of who was gonna die – also because it made the two youngest agents go through the whole episode planning a birthday celebration? I just … stop it!
// I really enjoyed the shared moment of excitement when they’re both undercover in the field //
Yes. Great scene.
Like Jessie said above – or re-worded – I don’t really feel Mark is “activated” in an appetite kind of way. I think he kind of went at her in their first interaction maybe in a muscle memory kind of way – or maybe it was because he recognized himself in her – whatever it was it wasn’t because “oh God she’s hot I want to sleep with her.” He has a reputation for relationship messiness – you crawled into bed with your fiance’s sister and … slept with her ? and didn’t know the difference?? MARK.
so yeah I think having them bond in their unorthodox approach is really smart. If they do hook up it’ll be more interesting than the cliche. I feel like she might be the first one he confides in about his secret. but maybe not.
you’re so right about the headache getting everyone in the frame! like Sam and Rowena scenes.
Mark’s diagnosis seems pretty damn bad. The doctor was like “relax and enjoy the time you have left” which … God. Okay?
Eric Dane told a story about going swimming with his daughters – he was a championship swimmer – and suddenly realizing he couldn’t make it back to the boat and realizing, after that, that he was not safe in the water.
There was a terrible moment when a journalist asked him about his doctor – who was on Good Morning America to talk about ALS. The journalist asked “I saw your doctor on GMA she seems wonderful – how is she giving you hope?” a typical kind of question: we need to give the people hope!! Dane’s response was brutal: “Doctoring for ALS mostly involves monitoring the patient’s decline.”
It’s true and wasn’t the sound bite the journalist hoped for – she asked her question without thinking, really – and his answer was just so honest it kind of sliced through everything. I appreciate his frankness.
Interview’s here if you’re interested. and Jensen just sitting there silently and supportively.
I wouldn’t wish ALS on anyone.
not to be too depressing. but what’s going on with eric dane is kind of why I’m invested. I’ve loved him for … 20 years? mainly because of how nice he was to alex on that horrific set where everyone was in it for themselves. He went out of his way. He “got” her. so I love him and I’m sad and it’s nice seeing him work.
// I was irritated by the overt symbolism of the birthday cake and the accidental “final” on it //
Did you know, that life is short and precious? Damn, haha
// Mark’s diagnosis seems pretty damn bad. //
Yes, bold move, and I’m wondering how they’re planning on managing that aspect of the story – or have we just abandoned the idea that series can go on for years? At least, we’re getting 13 episodes, which is very exciting, and more than most shows nowadays, sadly.
// a typical kind of question: we need to give the people hope!! //
People’s inabilty to accept that not everything can be turned into an uplifting, inspirational story can be so damaging. Sometimes, things just really fucking sucks and the best you can do for the person is be with them in that, not be mentally checked out because you’re living in the fantasy of how you wish things could be. I know it’s really tough for people who are close, but all the more reasons to train ourselves to reframe disability when it doesn’t touch us personally, because eventually, it does.
// but what’s going on with eric dane is kind of why I’m invested.//
I get it – you’ve loved him for a long time and these are probably his last projects. You want to be his audience for as long as possible!
SPOILERS EPISODE 4*
How cool was that scene where they really took their time with SILENCE? I really loved that.
Once again, I’m amazed – but not surprised – by Jensen Ackles’ precision. We’ve seen him go through very similar feelings with other characters, and we know his expressions so well, but it was different. Dean Winchester isn’t Beau Arlen, isn’t Soldier Boy, isn’t Mark Meachum. We’re so lucky we get to see him do his work.
* Sheila, is it ok that I did that even though it’s not mirror related anymore?
Lyrie – I agree that it’s so fun to watch Jensen be this other guy. Dean Winchester is such a strong character and he played it for SO LONG. This creates an expectation – maybe not the right word – it’s just that you get so used to seeing him one way and you think you know how he will react to things. So it’s been such a blast to see him shake it all off and step into other energies – and it feels equally easy to him! Like him pleading with the Belorussian guy as he had the gun on him – it was something I’d never seen from Jensen, and it was so specific and real – I’ve watched that scene about 3 times now.
Also he did a stunt in this recent episode which was INSANE. I think he did most of his own stunts – it was when he was chasing the other Belorussian guy through a textile plant ? whatever?? And he jumped up onto one of those big work tables to cut the guy off on his path – he jumped off the table, landed on his side and slid forward, foot out, to trip the guy. It’s clearly him doing it. It was so smooth – but not in an inhuman way. It was just so beautifully done!
I also really liked the scene where we first meet Mark and he’s fighting off 5 guys in the prison yard and being dragged away by the guards. There’s a moment where the guards have his arms pinned and are dragging him backwards away from the fight – and he hauls up his legs and kicks at the prisoners still attacking him.
Maybe the best “legs” moment ever!
I think the slide is his baseball coming through. If I recall correctly his main sport in high school(he was involved in a bunch) was baseball. He’s really good at sliding. In I think season 1 or 2 of SPN, he does a slide into a grave to kill a zombie. It wasn’t exactly like this(dirt vs table, 27 year vs 47 year old legs, etc lol) but I figured he’s so good at it because of sliding into bases playing baseball. He was spectacular doing it at 27 and if anything even more spectacular doing it at 47.
It was fun to catch up on this discussion – I think I’m a lot less forgiving about what I see as the craft and technical shortcomings of the show haha, but I’m still happily sitting down to watch a new episode when it comes out. I’m quite sour on the look of it – the whole thing exists in brown mid-tones – but I LOVE the location shooting, it brings so much necessary life, especially compared with how airless and still the office set is.
I thought that episode 6 was notably more cohesive and the plot silliness made me laugh more than rankle. It was SO FUNNY that they left that death-trap house unlocked for when the neighbour ventures in to get his hotplate, and also that they destroyed Gallagher’s property and violated his rights because of a predictable mistake. The action centrepiece was a lot of fun (Jensen throwing that thumbs-up is the highlight of the series so far) and the day-players were actual characters played by invested actors, which provides incredible value.
I didn’t know about Eric Dane’s reputation Sheila, or the rapidity of his ALS progression. I’m glad he’s able to lead this work.
Jessie – hey!
I have this sense that the whole thing is losing steam pretty quickly and I can’t tell if it’s just me. I get what the thing is supposed to be and that it’s not about character development – but I am definitely missing the sense that characters are being developed in any consistent way – except for Jensen and Oliveras – but that’s less character development than … secrets they’re hiding, which I’m fine with. But there’s a LOT going on – and it’s hard to care about this – forgive me but it’s hard to care about a terrorist threat to the United States when we are basically under threat by our own government right now. I know that that’s a lot of what’s going on with me in terms of being invested in this thing.
I thought the whole consulate party sequence might be the best thing they’ve done – just in terms of tension and juggling all of the characters and their tasks. That was a hugely complicated sequence and I was full on IN it from the moment it started. That couldn’t have been an easy task. I think that scene – and Mark being held at gunpoint by the Belorussian uncle – are the two best sustained sequences on the show thus far.
What seems to be happening is that … they’re trying to add in little character details – but it’s inconsistent and sometimes feels perfuncctory. the younger agent whose dad was in the FBI – I just don’t feel that what they’re establishing has enough “oomph” – I don’t care about it. and the younger hacker agent – nothing has been done to establish her as a character. Maybe I’m looking for the wrong thing. Or maybe it’s just that a plot-driven piece about a terroristic threat is just not something I’m in the mood for right now.
// It was SO FUNNY that they left that death-trap house unlocked for when the neighbour ventures in to get his hotplate, //
hahahaha!! I thought the same thing!
I definitely think the series has a handle on action sequences and the old-fashioned thrill of them – even if it’s silly (the guy hiding in the truck and driving off with Jensen trapped in the trailer). That was really Jensen jumping off the trailer into the truck bed, which is insane.
Maybe there are too many characters? I don’t know. It feels uneven.
Agreed that the casting director deserves kudos – I feel like every smaller character is played by someone I’ve never seen before, who seems totally authentic and real. I can’t think of an exception. Really good actors!
Sheila it’s so wonderful to find you talking about Jensen and Countdown here! During my watch I can’t help but wonder what you are thinking!
I think what amazes me about Countdown, is how different Jensen’s character is from Dean. I found Dean so captivating, he was as you have said so open, so vulnerable to every other character, to every situation. Mark in Countdown seems incredibly impenetrable to me. There is no hint of Dean’s softness or vulnerability in this new character, which of course makes sense! He’s a cop, he works undercover with criminals, vulnerability would literally get him killed!
I agree with everything else said, I really want to like it, but it does feel a little flat at times and the other characters are pretty one dimensional. My niece is desperate for me to start watching The Boys since she started and that one does sound more interesting than Countdown, so at least I’ve got that to look forward to!
Jenna – hey, thanks!! I agree that probably most of my fascination just involves watching Jensen play someone so different from Dean. It shows his gift. Dean is so IN him but he’s an actor – he’s got a lot of people “in him” – and it’s so fun watching him explore these other energies.
And yeah, Mark is interesting. I don’t feel any pleasure-sense in him – he’s pretty grim – which makes sense. He’s facing the end of his life and has lived years undercover. wasn’t there some teeny backstory about him growing up in the desert outside Los Angeles – I forget now. We’re getting little glimpses here and there – same with Oliveras. Like the detail she grew up in the suburbs of Chicago.
I get that character isn’t really what the show is “about” – and so I’m not as interested as I would be. The plot doesn’t really grip me – although the action sequences are really well done.
The Boys is really fun! Really looking forward to the new season.
I thought episode 7 was a marked improvement in many of the ways the show needed to improve, hooray! Minimal silliness around the investigatory and police work. The pacing was steady and the structure was coherent and made thematic connections across the good guy-bad guy storylines. The bad guy scenes had some tension and visual flair (thanks Eric Stoltz?!) and Jensen had a monologue where he got to be both direct and indirect about what he’s going through. Easily the best episode of the season.
Apparently they’ve been at this for months?!
oh my gosh I know – Eric Stoltz??!!
The repetitive nature of the younger guy and the DA having these secret meetings about … younger guy’s career steps … like, they couldn’t have thought of anything better? we’re just spinning our wheels here!
But overall I felt the episode wasn’t as uneven as earlier episodes! another good mirror moment from Jensen and really liked their scene at the end. I liked her pushiness – you can tell she’s got a feeling for him – just in terms of bonding a little bit. She’s concerned enough to drop by unannounced – that’s pretty bold. He seemed really taken aback. And finally we got a look at his house – and it was just as nondescript as I had imagined! The guy is just so unconnected to anything. It’s kind of interesting. and interesting to see him finally just not be able to lie to her anymore. He could have flown off the handle and/or shut her down but he chose to tell her.
I’m very curious to see where this goes next!
//Apparently they’ve been at this for months?!//
That jumped out at me also.
Also, Eric Stoltz!
It seemed like they were setting up the young guy as the mole for Volchek, then made that a misdirection. Nice idea, but too much time spent there. Assume that the audience can put 2 and 2 together, as per Billy Wilder. Even if the show was watched on a phone.
the 2+2 thing is actually from Ernst Lubitsch.
// It seemed like they were setting up the young guy as the mole for Volchek, then made that a misdirection. Nice idea, but too much time spent there. //
yeah agreed. It feels unfocused.
and they can’t spend MONTHS on this thing – isn’t it an imminent threat? also, Mark doesn’t have much time left. tik tok
will Mark go out in a blaze of glory, do we think?
//will Mark go out in a blaze of glory, do we think?//
Absent a miracle bolt of radiation from the fissile material, it’s hard to see a different ending.
With Mark’s tumor and (stepping outside the show’s narrative) Eric Dane’s illness, it’s difficult to see this as a multi-season show.
If I’m not mistaken this is supposed to be almost an anthology series – so I think it will go on (if it’s successful that is).
Looks like Jensen is developing a Soldier Boy backstory spinoff – filmed out of Toronto – and so – I can’t even believe this – but he and his family have moved to New York City, so his commute will be easier. he’s been in Texas/LA/Vancouver his whole life – I wonder if I could get to him now for an interview. still feeling burned by my year long (maybe more) attempts back in 2014 to get to him for an exclusive interview. Brick CW wall. Finally reached oout to Jim Beaver who emailed Jensen on my behalf and telling him about me (THANK YOU JIM)- AND Jensen saying “yeah I want to speak with her” – after all THAT it came to nothing. It’s all the CW’s fault, even though one of the PR people got to know me so well she started emailing me on her own, lol. I wore her down. so maybe it’s the same situation now but it seems like he’s making bold moves on his own – independent of the CW – so maybe he’d be more likely to say yes, I don’t know. The wheels are always turning over here.
Fingers crossed!