Plus he grew his hand back somehow.
AMC's Rubicon
- Thread starter Obiwanshinobi
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He must be part lizard...
I've stored every episode on my hard drive and I've watched them all. I like it a lot. As people said previously, the main quality of the series is its atmosphere. I find it very reminiscent of a 1970s French movie called I Comme Icare (I as in Icarus) where Yves Montand's character investigates a JFK-like murder. His investigations lead him to his own future murder. I think Rubicon owes a lot to 1970s movies in that respect.
It "atmosphere" means what seems like real people in a real world being really paranoid and scared, it's "atmospheric" all right. The use of the polygraph sessions for character revelations was very clever. And they still informed us that polygraphs are useless. It doesn't underline the inanity of intelligence agencies still using them, but it let's us draw our own conclusion at least. By the usual spy movie/show standards, this is Shakespearean drama.
It seems pretty likely that Spangler and his buddies are off on a rogue project. The title Rubicon makes one think it involves an attack on the US government (Caesar crossing the Rubicon to overthrow the Senate is the allusion, no?)
Ingram smells a rat, but he's helping Will to find out. It's partly plausible deniability, which is why he's so irritated that Travers is such a dunce at it. Partly Will's bait. The project seems to have something to do with the project Spangler has put Will's team on, which has led to a focus on Beck.
The interesting thing for the overall plot from the last episode is, who removed the bug so the FBI didn't find it? My guess is the secretary (Ingram bugging Hadas, then Travers would be playing both sides against the middle, but would it be surprising if Ingram is a switch hitter?) But our alcoholic/druggie newbie might be indulging because her extracurricular spying career is wrecking her psyche?
It seems pretty likely that Spangler and his buddies are off on a rogue project. The title Rubicon makes one think it involves an attack on the US government (Caesar crossing the Rubicon to overthrow the Senate is the allusion, no?)
Ingram smells a rat, but he's helping Will to find out. It's partly plausible deniability, which is why he's so irritated that Travers is such a dunce at it. Partly Will's bait. The project seems to have something to do with the project Spangler has put Will's team on, which has led to a focus on Beck.
The interesting thing for the overall plot from the last episode is, who removed the bug so the FBI didn't find it? My guess is the secretary (Ingram bugging Hadas, then Travers would be playing both sides against the middle, but would it be surprising if Ingram is a switch hitter?) But our alcoholic/druggie newbie might be indulging because her extracurricular spying career is wrecking her psyche?
Bumping just in case there's anyone else still watching.
Last Sunday's episode actually started to bring Will Travers and Kathryn Rhumer together! The plot thickens.
Actually it does. Spangler's bureaucratic bullying, subtly threatening Ingram, setting up Grant to replace Will (while Will is putting Miles in charge
) Spangler's observation that what we do isn't glamorous are the little nods to the real world that make the show so interesting. But it is obvious the plot is getting as fired up as this show has seen so far. It's a shame that this was the weakest episode yet. Cause and effect?
Andy the neighbor was a hoot. I have a theory she's the writer's vision of a 24 fan who accidentally wandered into a real world plot. Her mind's lost in cliches and she's a little pervy. ("I like that you have a gun.")
Last Sunday's episode actually started to bring Will Travers and Kathryn Rhumer together! The plot thickens.
Actually it does. Spangler's bureaucratic bullying, subtly threatening Ingram, setting up Grant to replace Will (while Will is putting Miles in charge
) Spangler's observation that what we do isn't glamorous are the little nods to the real world that make the show so interesting. But it is obvious the plot is getting as fired up as this show has seen so far. It's a shame that this was the weakest episode yet. Cause and effect? Andy the neighbor was a hoot. I have a theory she's the writer's vision of a 24 fan who accidentally wandered into a real world plot. Her mind's lost in cliches and she's a little pervy. ("I like that you have a gun."
)
I've been watching and haven't missed an episode yet. I just never know what exactly I want to say about the show, so I stick to reading the thoughts other people post and Alan Sepinwall's reviews.
^ Yeah, his blog is over at Hitfix.com (direct link). I find his reviews of both Mad Men and Rubicon to be very interesting, and for this fall television season his thoughts have helped me narrow down the new shows I want to give a shot.
Sepinwall was just on the BS Report doing a fall preview.
Thank you.
I've been reading Sepinwall's posts since his old blog, and quite enjoy his site. He and I seem to have a pretty similar taste in shows (though I haven't yet watched Mad Men or Sons of Anarchy), and because of him I am now totally hooked on Chuck and Breaking Bad.
I think it's cool that he is basically the reason that Chuck is still on the air, and that Jon Hamm reads his Mad Men reivews.
[/Sepinwall fanboy]
Rubicon has been slow, but I've really enjoyed it, and love Michael Christofer's delivery as Truxton Spangler.
Anybody still watching this?
I've kept up with it and the last few eps have been excellent (imo). I really like how the tension is portrayed, and all the storylines are finally coming together.
I wonder if the ratings warrant another season? You never know with AMC as both Breaking Bad and Mad Men initially had low ratings, before becoming the successful shows they are.
Anyway I'd guess it's the slow pace Rubicon has that drove the crowds away from the show, but I think it is the slow pace that ratchets up the tension and really grounds it in reality.
All the characters flaws and issues are superbly portrayed, and acting is solid; Kale and Truxton are awesome characters! This show is just excellent. Unfortunately I fear it may not last. But it's better then a lot of other crap on tv these days (imo).
I've kept up with it and the last few eps have been excellent (imo). I really like how the tension is portrayed, and all the storylines are finally coming together.
I wonder if the ratings warrant another season? You never know with AMC as both Breaking Bad and Mad Men initially had low ratings, before becoming the successful shows they are.
Anyway I'd guess it's the slow pace Rubicon has that drove the crowds away from the show, but I think it is the slow pace that ratchets up the tension and really grounds it in reality.
All the characters flaws and issues are superbly portrayed, and acting is solid; Kale and Truxton are awesome characters! This show is just excellent. Unfortunately I fear it may not last. But it's better then a lot of other crap on tv these days (imo).
I'm enjoying this, although I'll admit that there are times when the pacing is so slow that a glacier could beat it in race.
Still, I love all the fine details, all the tiny clues it drops for us. We are a week or two behind on the episodes, but I definitely want to see more of this.
Still, I love all the fine details, all the tiny clues it drops for us. We are a week or two behind on the episodes, but I definitely want to see more of this.
I wouldn't mind if they picked up the pace *just a little*.
There are some odd threads to this story. I wonder if they are going somewhere, or are just red herrings.
The woman with the daughter and the crazy ex-husband for example. Where are they going with that?
And the woman across the street from Will...that whole thing seems very odd.
I commented earlier in the thread, but no one commented....why is this office so low-tech? Look at the amount of paper everywhere. Stacks of files all over the place. Is that to add to the 70's ambiance?
There are some odd threads to this story. I wonder if they are going somewhere, or are just red herrings.
The woman with the daughter and the crazy ex-husband for example. Where are they going with that?
And the woman across the street from Will...that whole thing seems very odd.
I commented earlier in the thread, but no one commented....why is this office so low-tech? Look at the amount of paper everywhere. Stacks of files all over the place. Is that to add to the 70's ambiance?
^You know, that's good point. I hadn't thought of that.
My initial reaction would be that, in some ways, paper could be more secure....but having just seen what happened to the "white papers," that really isn't the case, is it?
My initial reaction would be that, in some ways, paper could be more secure....but having just seen what happened to the "white papers," that really isn't the case, is it?
Last Sunday's episode advanced the plot but it also had a theme, how working in API/intelligence poisoned domestic relationships. Will was afraid Andie was talking to an enemy. Kale thought Walter planted a bug in their bedroom. Grant couldn't even ask Tonya over to the lunch table without screwing things up. Maggie is (consciously or unconsciously?) misusing her position in the community to force her ex-husband back out of her daughter's life.
API has numerous computers, rather large servers they seem to be too, all locked up in the basement. Yes, the paper files are supposed to be more secure. No, the human element makes them less secure, as Miles losing a file shows. But, that's part of why this show is so good, the contrast between the sloppy reality and the oh-so-terrifyingly-efficient ideal. The way Miles just gets a slap on the wrist for losing (!) a file in a taxicab or Tonya gets rehab shows how self-protection undercuts the supposed dedication to security.
By the way, the files withdrawn by Hadas suggest the original plot centered on oil, which means money. The team head who was cashiered for insider dealing may have been a forecast of what the Atlas McDowell operation is really doing, namely, manipulating events for profit. (Indirect in the case of Spangler, I'd guess, in the form of a board directorship. Speaking fees, too? That's a very common form of corruption.)
API has numerous computers, rather large servers they seem to be too, all locked up in the basement. Yes, the paper files are supposed to be more secure. No, the human element makes them less secure, as Miles losing a file shows. But, that's part of why this show is so good, the contrast between the sloppy reality and the oh-so-terrifyingly-efficient ideal. The way Miles just gets a slap on the wrist for losing (!) a file in a taxicab or Tonya gets rehab shows how self-protection undercuts the supposed dedication to security.
By the way, the files withdrawn by Hadas suggest the original plot centered on oil, which means money. The team head who was cashiered for insider dealing may have been a forecast of what the Atlas McDowell operation is really doing, namely, manipulating events for profit. (Indirect in the case of Spangler, I'd guess, in the form of a board directorship. Speaking fees, too? That's a very common form of corruption.)
*friendly bump*
As slow as it is at times, it is definitely building--in pace, in tension, in complexity. I like shows that don't dumb it down for the audience and actually challenges us to pick up the subtle clues and notice small changes.
I hope this one stays around, because it is just over-flowing with potential.
As slow as it is at times, it is definitely building--in pace, in tension, in complexity. I like shows that don't dumb it down for the audience and actually challenges us to pick up the subtle clues and notice small changes.
I hope this one stays around, because it is just over-flowing with potential.
I'm pretty sure Rubicon is done in two episodes. But it's been a great season so far.
Last night's episode was terrific. A death, even a villain's death, is a horrible thing. This gets lost in thrillers or other melodramas. Rubicon however is a drama. We fill the impact.
"Don't come out" *electric whine*
Then, an empty living room!
I expect Khateb/Purcell is a fake convert. But is just for money this time, or is there a political motive? "Rubicon" is the title of the series, after all.
Last night's episode was terrific. A death, even a villain's death, is a horrible thing. This gets lost in thrillers or other melodramas. Rubicon however is a drama. We fill the impact.
"Don't come out" *electric whine*
Then, an empty living room!
I expect Khateb/Purcell is a fake convert. But is just for money this time, or is there a political motive? "Rubicon" is the title of the series, after all.
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