The Old Man

Synopsis

An old spy that has been in hiding for 30 years is pressed back into the world after his old friend threatened the life of his daughter. All because an old enemy begin to call in favors to bring him to the light.

Review

What a sleeper of a show. I remember it coming out, but never heard anything about it. When my wife and I were looking for a new show, we saw the main cast and thought it would be good. We were dead on. Jeff Bridges and John Lithgow are outstanding in their roles. I could not have been more impressed or happier with them. John in my mind plays a lot of funnier roles so to see him in such an emotional and serious role was such a change that he just crushed. Jeff just kills this. His voice sends such authority though the screen that even you want to follow his rules.

What hurts this show is Amy Brennenman and E.J. Bonilla's characters. Amy's character, Zoe, plays no real role in this that it had to be there. There is a scene where her character is the proverbial Schrödinger's Cat, i.e. she could be dead or alive. In my opinion, she should have died. She doesn't play a role other than stress to Jeff's character and doesn't really help out in any way. In fact, this show could have only been one season without her. His need to save her constantly slows him down and makes him do things that would otherwise be unnecessary. E.J.'s character on the other hand is not the character the CIA would have ever chosen for this. Would he be the fall guy? Probably. However, they would only send him if they expected failure or were looking to ensure a failed attempt. It doesn't make sense and in the end his character doesn't continue to play a major role so I am not sure why he stuck around either.

The story was so well done that my wife paid attention. It is a show that requires that as there are a lot of dream-like sequences and you might not catch that unless you are paying attention. What hurts the show in the story is that it ends without resolution of any kind. We don't love the characters enough to be sad/happy for the ending of the first season and at the same time, it's more frustrating as a viewer than it is concern for the characters.

Season 2 Review

This season was even slower than the first and the pacing was too slow. There is also the issue of Zoe being somehow Counter Intelligently aware of everything randomly. I didn't like her character in the first season and this was it is a bit better, but it feels more like a lifeline to the show.

My Rating

With the above paragraphs in mind, this show has been out for 2 years without any word of a second season. Well, just recently they announced that it was in development/production which is great news as it was a spectacular show. There is great intrigue, action, and story (with some hiccups). This is a solid 8 that could have been a 10 if the show didn't end without a complete thought and some of the characters had been changed.

Season 2 Update

Season 2 really hurt this show and I understand why they cancelled it. It has taken us a bit to trudge through the middle of this season and my complaints about Zoe become even more founded. After the second season, I am giving this a 6.

Parental Rating

Lots of language and violence. Sex is implied in one episode, but no true depictions of it are shown. My dad would approve of this and I think my mom would as well. The story follows people trying to protect there kid by any means necessary. Approved by both.

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