Well, I don't know if this is, like, a verbatim re-telling of Littrell's novels or what...But, there isn't any inspiration in the early going here. An undercover FBI agent (Lincoln something who is Martin Odum who is Sean Bean) who has infiltrated a grass-roots militia. First big scene is Sean Bean's character coming up against some of his fellow militia mates who seem to think he's maybe not what he purports. A little fake cocked pistol to the head...CLICK! Wow, never seen this before. Then another unnamed government agency repels in from the night sky to bust the militia for weapons also busting Martin Odum's 6-month infiltration of the militia. This is getting downright predictable with all the clichés' intact so no surprise we get everyone dislikes everyone and every agency works against every other agency.
Of course Martin doesn't need to really get along with anyone. He's the star of the show and if he's not a lone-wolf loose cannon he might be too plain vanilla. Who names their big undercover "Coolio" MARTIN ODUM. Is he part of the Odum sausage (Tennessee Pride) royalty? The pork tie-in would be cool, you know a James Bond like dude who loves sausage and bacon somehow working it in to every show.
More predictability...Like fellow FBI agent Crystal McGuire = no love lost for Martin Odum as in: "what's he doing here", this lady makes it worse cause she is not exactly Meryl Streep, ex-wife = "you can't just show up" (wow, never heard this either). Of course Martin and Crystal are former lovers, but you knew that when you first saw her character (too good looking) - even though the writers want to be sure.
I don't like this "pilot episode" set-up for a new spy vs. spy show - emphasis on new with truth in advertising as in "nothing new". I've watched exactly 50% of the first episode and I'd like to quit except I heard one great line: "has it ever occurred to you that Crystal is a cool striper's name?". Kinda funny since Ali Larter can't act but her belly-button/negligee' sort of worked in the referenced scene.
Here's my plan to avoid total tunnel-vision on my part. I'm going to quit writing now and give this a pass on a rating because I really like Sean Bean and want this to work. I'll revisit this after ever how many episodes it takes to find it's footing (i.e. become more watchable, even good). If I never revisit this review...well, that speaks for itself.
Of course Martin doesn't need to really get along with anyone. He's the star of the show and if he's not a lone-wolf loose cannon he might be too plain vanilla. Who names their big undercover "Coolio" MARTIN ODUM. Is he part of the Odum sausage (Tennessee Pride) royalty? The pork tie-in would be cool, you know a James Bond like dude who loves sausage and bacon somehow working it in to every show.
More predictability...Like fellow FBI agent Crystal McGuire = no love lost for Martin Odum as in: "what's he doing here", this lady makes it worse cause she is not exactly Meryl Streep, ex-wife = "you can't just show up" (wow, never heard this either). Of course Martin and Crystal are former lovers, but you knew that when you first saw her character (too good looking) - even though the writers want to be sure.
I don't like this "pilot episode" set-up for a new spy vs. spy show - emphasis on new with truth in advertising as in "nothing new". I've watched exactly 50% of the first episode and I'd like to quit except I heard one great line: "has it ever occurred to you that Crystal is a cool striper's name?". Kinda funny since Ali Larter can't act but her belly-button/negligee' sort of worked in the referenced scene.
Here's my plan to avoid total tunnel-vision on my part. I'm going to quit writing now and give this a pass on a rating because I really like Sean Bean and want this to work. I'll revisit this after ever how many episodes it takes to find it's footing (i.e. become more watchable, even good). If I never revisit this review...well, that speaks for itself.