The Company You Keep: Season One: Full Season
March 11, 2023 9:39 AM - Season 1 (Full Season) - Subscribe
A very steamy rebound fling between two just-dumped people, who coincidentally happen to be a spy and a conman, begins to turn into something more. Looking for a bit of Alias (wigs and disguises), a healthy dosage of Leverage (cons conning cons), some soapy family drama, a dash of political family life (à la Political Animals)? Well, this just might be the show for you.
IMDB Link
RogerEbert.com review: "ABC’s “The Company You Keep” is surprisingly good, even though the standard plot points and cliched opening moments had me worried I was watching a dud. "
The Hollywood Reporter review: "...The Company You Keep becomes a promising rom-com with thriller trappings and an interesting family backdrop — not a series fully realized but a series with some potential. The kind of show it wants to be, basically, is The Catch, a Shonda Rhimes-produced comedic heist romance that ABC developed, redeveloped and redeveloped again over a truncated two-season run back in 2016-17. "
Decider review: Ever watch a show that you openly hope gets better? You know there are glaring flaws, but you keep watching because you find the cast appealing, or see nuggets of good story, or just think that the writers will get it eventually and eliminate those flaws. A new ABC series starring Milo Ventimiglia is definitely in that category.
IMDB Link
RogerEbert.com review: "ABC’s “The Company You Keep” is surprisingly good, even though the standard plot points and cliched opening moments had me worried I was watching a dud. "
The Hollywood Reporter review: "...The Company You Keep becomes a promising rom-com with thriller trappings and an interesting family backdrop — not a series fully realized but a series with some potential. The kind of show it wants to be, basically, is The Catch, a Shonda Rhimes-produced comedic heist romance that ABC developed, redeveloped and redeveloped again over a truncated two-season run back in 2016-17. "
Decider review: Ever watch a show that you openly hope gets better? You know there are glaring flaws, but you keep watching because you find the cast appealing, or see nuggets of good story, or just think that the writers will get it eventually and eliminate those flaws. A new ABC series starring Milo Ventimiglia is definitely in that category.
Yes! This show is really something. Not sure how long the legs are on it, as they have to discover each other eventually and then what kinds of plots will the writers be able to pull off. But I suspect I’ll be watching til the end on this one.
posted by Night_owl at 2:39 PM on March 11, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by Night_owl at 2:39 PM on March 11, 2023 [1 favorite]
Also, quite steamy indeed. Even not-steamy moments between the two leads are steamy.
posted by Night_owl at 2:41 PM on March 11, 2023
posted by Night_owl at 2:41 PM on March 11, 2023
Thanks for setting this one up, I was considering whether or not to but so far my thoughts have been kinda generic for the first three episodes:
* I really enjoy watching these two as a couple, it is super sweet AND hot. Though literal rebounds on the day they got dumped is kinda weird.
* I love when there's a deaf character on a show and ASL is being used. I loved how Emma gave finger spelling a shot when she met Ollie and Ollie unabashedly was making sex/y signs at her, lol.
* So the crime family is kind of a Robin Hood crime family? They just rob other crooks?
* I'm still not entirely sure what happened with Bridget Regan, but she sure does get cast as "hot sexy traitor," doesn't she?
* Jes Macallen/Ava from Legends stood out as a nice rich girl getting scammed that the Nicolettis recruit into their scam to scam her fiance. I felt sooo bad for her, I hope she recurs.
posted by jenfullmoon at 5:50 PM on March 11, 2023 [2 favorites]
* I really enjoy watching these two as a couple, it is super sweet AND hot. Though literal rebounds on the day they got dumped is kinda weird.
* I love when there's a deaf character on a show and ASL is being used. I loved how Emma gave finger spelling a shot when she met Ollie and Ollie unabashedly was making sex/y signs at her, lol.
* So the crime family is kind of a Robin Hood crime family? They just rob other crooks?
* I'm still not entirely sure what happened with Bridget Regan, but she sure does get cast as "hot sexy traitor," doesn't she?
* Jes Macallen/Ava from Legends stood out as a nice rich girl getting scammed that the Nicolettis recruit into their scam to scam her fiance. I felt sooo bad for her, I hope she recurs.
posted by jenfullmoon at 5:50 PM on March 11, 2023 [2 favorites]
Loving this show so far. It's kind of weirdly wholesome-- both leads have families who are part of the story, the love story is good, and even the "big bad" lady is dealing with her own family.
It does feel like there's an inevitable train wreck coming when one of them discovers the identity of the other one, and I'm not sure they can pull that off, but I'm willing to watch.
So the crime family is kind of a Robin Hood crime family? They just rob other crooks?
I assume they're doing the standard "You can't cheat an honest man" thing like in "Hustle." So they look for corrupt greedy people to scam because they're more likely to believe they can get something for nothing. They did contrast with the "bad criminal" who was selling the horse, though, so maybe it is a Robin Hood thing...
I thought the horse scam was really good, and more believable than the necklace thing in the previous episode. Good show and I hope it lasts!
posted by mmoncur at 10:03 PM on March 11, 2023 [4 favorites]
It does feel like there's an inevitable train wreck coming when one of them discovers the identity of the other one, and I'm not sure they can pull that off, but I'm willing to watch.
So the crime family is kind of a Robin Hood crime family? They just rob other crooks?
I assume they're doing the standard "You can't cheat an honest man" thing like in "Hustle." So they look for corrupt greedy people to scam because they're more likely to believe they can get something for nothing. They did contrast with the "bad criminal" who was selling the horse, though, so maybe it is a Robin Hood thing...
I thought the horse scam was really good, and more believable than the necklace thing in the previous episode. Good show and I hope it lasts!
posted by mmoncur at 10:03 PM on March 11, 2023 [4 favorites]
Strong pilot. I could totally believe that is really a family. Sarah Wayne Callies! It's a fantasy show but I'm down with it.
"You charged your drinks to your room." oh, I wondered if this was set in the past, signing a credit card bill.
(and agents in the field wear sensible shoes!)
Milo Ventimiglia's pretty good at chameleon-ing...
posted by porpoise at 4:37 PM on March 12, 2023 [2 favorites]
"You charged your drinks to your room." oh, I wondered if this was set in the past, signing a credit card bill.
(and agents in the field wear sensible shoes!)
Milo Ventimiglia's pretty good at chameleon-ing...
posted by porpoise at 4:37 PM on March 12, 2023 [2 favorites]
Through the three eps, yeah! this is a fun one.
posted by porpoise at 6:37 PM on March 12, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by porpoise at 6:37 PM on March 12, 2023 [1 favorite]
The dueling duplicity reminds me a lot of the first half of Mr. & Mrs. Smith, one of my all-time favorite films, and recommended to anyone who enjoys this particular kind of caper. Curiously, this show is based on a recent Korean TV series.
Pedant point: CIA isn't meant to operate domestically, but of course that hasn't stopped them recently.
It's nice to see William Fichtner playing outside his usual role of amoral dirtbag, and the continued representation of real deaf actors.
Emma appears to be closing in on her lover's true identity, but I expect that Charlie will start to do the same. And with Emma's contact form submitted, the agency's background check will reveal Charlie's stint in prison, adding further complication.
posted by Bora Horza Gobuchul at 1:51 AM on March 13, 2023 [3 favorites]
Pedant point: CIA isn't meant to operate domestically, but of course that hasn't stopped them recently.
It's nice to see William Fichtner playing outside his usual role of amoral dirtbag, and the continued representation of real deaf actors.
Emma appears to be closing in on her lover's true identity, but I expect that Charlie will start to do the same. And with Emma's contact form submitted, the agency's background check will reveal Charlie's stint in prison, adding further complication.
posted by Bora Horza Gobuchul at 1:51 AM on March 13, 2023 [3 favorites]
This is fun! For some reason I thought they were going to try to hide their families and I am glad to be wrong. I like the wholesome relationship and that they didn't spend a bunch of time being too afraid to give over to love.
It is funny to me to imagine a family that somehow has all the gear to pull off all these cons. Like where in that house do they even store it all? The wigs!!!
posted by Emmy Rae at 8:44 PM on March 19, 2023 [1 favorite]
It is funny to me to imagine a family that somehow has all the gear to pull off all these cons. Like where in that house do they even store it all? The wigs!!!
posted by Emmy Rae at 8:44 PM on March 19, 2023 [1 favorite]
This is such a Leverage-type show and I am here for it. Like, seriously, it's like "What if Leverage but a family and everyone was not quite as super-skilled?" which is great. They even did a horse-selling scam!
I appreciate that they both have families who are complex but no one is a total jerk and I'll watch William Fichtner in anything and I hope his arc is okay since he's set up to maybe have some sort of an unraveling. The way they handle the ASL (with the on-screen captions hovering over the person speaking) is really well done and I appreciate how it's handled as a "no big deal" situation. After finishing episode 3 I love how there continue to be near misses for the two of them to learn about the other (in this case Emma's family watching the horse race on tv) where you're like "Surely this is when it happens...." and then it doesn't happen.
posted by jessamyn at 8:16 AM on March 22, 2023 [3 favorites]
I appreciate that they both have families who are complex but no one is a total jerk and I'll watch William Fichtner in anything and I hope his arc is okay since he's set up to maybe have some sort of an unraveling. The way they handle the ASL (with the on-screen captions hovering over the person speaking) is really well done and I appreciate how it's handled as a "no big deal" situation. After finishing episode 3 I love how there continue to be near misses for the two of them to learn about the other (in this case Emma's family watching the horse race on tv) where you're like "Surely this is when it happens...." and then it doesn't happen.
posted by jessamyn at 8:16 AM on March 22, 2023 [3 favorites]
I was trying to finish something while watching episode 4, can someone clarify for me why at the beginning of the show Charlie was taking a lie detector test about Emma's job? How the heck did he get into this situation? Because it started out with that and I felt like I was missing something....?
posted by jenfullmoon at 8:23 AM on March 22, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by jenfullmoon at 8:23 AM on March 22, 2023 [1 favorite]
Episode 3 ended with Emma having to talk to her boss and we presume it's because she's filled out that "relationship status" form which all CIA people have to fill out after they've been on more than a few casual dates with someone. This is how we know Emma is serious. However, this means that Charlie is "official" which I would presume leads to the lie detector? I haven't seen ep 4 but I did see the parts where you think maybe Emma is in trouble but then you figure it's just her having to announce her relationship to her job.
posted by jessamyn at 9:28 AM on March 22, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by jessamyn at 9:28 AM on March 22, 2023 [2 favorites]
why at the beginning of the show Charlie was taking a lie detector test about Emma's job?
Yep, Emma filled out the form making their relationship official and to assess his background they made him take a lie detector test to get info about the part of his history the CIA has questions about - why he spent 7 months in Central America.
posted by Emmy Rae at 11:23 AM on March 22, 2023 [1 favorite]
Yep, Emma filled out the form making their relationship official and to assess his background they made him take a lie detector test to get info about the part of his history the CIA has questions about - why he spent 7 months in Central America.
posted by Emmy Rae at 11:23 AM on March 22, 2023 [1 favorite]
I know I said I was content to wait for things to unfold, but I'll admit that I'm quite happy with the rapid pace of developments. This thing is really motoring along! Now, half of their secret lives are out in the open, I'm guessing it won't be too long before the entire big picture has been revealed. I really was suspecting they were going to drag everything out. This approach is much better.
posted by sardonyx at 5:57 PM on March 22, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by sardonyx at 5:57 PM on March 22, 2023 [1 favorite]
I was a bit confused at the beginning of 4 too. I would have liked a lampshade moment where Charlie realizes his captors are the CIA rather than the drug barons we were all expecting. Instead we kind of had to get it from context. It felt like I missed a scene to the point that I stopped and rewatched the end of 3.
I do like the way the screws are tightening. Charlie's obviously facing the huge question of whether to continue with this relationship when it could go even more wrong for his family than his previous relationship.
And now Charlie knows something about Emma (her job, but not that she's investigating the people he's working with) and Emma knows something about Charlie (his prison stay, but not his active criminal behavior) and they're both hiding those things from their families... It's the most fun I've had since nobody knew Chandler and Monica were dating.
I do think if the CIA was being thorough they'd show up at the bar and do a search, and find the huge bags of money and files full of potential marks and the room full of wigs and costumes. But government incompetence is definitely something I'm willing to believe so that's OK.
posted by mmoncur at 7:23 PM on March 22, 2023 [1 favorite]
I do like the way the screws are tightening. Charlie's obviously facing the huge question of whether to continue with this relationship when it could go even more wrong for his family than his previous relationship.
And now Charlie knows something about Emma (her job, but not that she's investigating the people he's working with) and Emma knows something about Charlie (his prison stay, but not his active criminal behavior) and they're both hiding those things from their families... It's the most fun I've had since nobody knew Chandler and Monica were dating.
I do think if the CIA was being thorough they'd show up at the bar and do a search, and find the huge bags of money and files full of potential marks and the room full of wigs and costumes. But government incompetence is definitely something I'm willing to believe so that's OK.
posted by mmoncur at 7:23 PM on March 22, 2023 [1 favorite]
And there we go. The cats are out of their respective bags.
I'll admit it was weird listening to Paul Blackthorne without his gruff, put-on Arrowverse accent and seeing him not play a scruffy character. I mean I've heard him interviewed (briefly) before and I know he's not a Yank, but I can't say I've seen him in anything else.
posted by sardonyx at 8:36 PM on March 28, 2023
I'll admit it was weird listening to Paul Blackthorne without his gruff, put-on Arrowverse accent and seeing him not play a scruffy character. I mean I've heard him interviewed (briefly) before and I know he's not a Yank, but I can't say I've seen him in anything else.
posted by sardonyx at 8:36 PM on March 28, 2023
Milo Ventimiglia is normally such a warm actor, I found his delivery of that last line weirdly cold and robotic! Too bad. I love love.
I assume now they'll team up to take down Daphne?
posted by Emmy Rae at 7:26 PM on March 29, 2023
I assume now they'll team up to take down Daphne?
posted by Emmy Rae at 7:26 PM on March 29, 2023
As silly as this show is sometimes I love how mature and wholesome it is. After Charlie finds out his drug-dealer associates intend to cause harm to Emma and her family, he rushes over and TELLS HER EVERYTHING. So many shows would have had him try to maintain the charade, giving her anonymous tips and lurking in the shadows to protect her.
Also, just when the "will she find out" plot starts to get ridiculous (Charlie hiding behind the car as she walks over to look at it) they torch that element, in Episode 5.
I'm impressed and looking forward to seeing what happens next.
posted by mmoncur at 9:14 PM on March 30, 2023 [4 favorites]
Also, just when the "will she find out" plot starts to get ridiculous (Charlie hiding behind the car as she walks over to look at it) they torch that element, in Episode 5.
I'm impressed and looking forward to seeing what happens next.
posted by mmoncur at 9:14 PM on March 30, 2023 [4 favorites]
Milo Ventimiglia is normally such a warm actor, I found his delivery of that last line weirdly cold and robotic! Too bad. I love love.
posted by Emmy Rae at 7:26 PM on March 29
I think that line delivery works. He's frightened. He's upset. He has no idea what Emma will do and what that will mean for his future freedom--not to mention his family's. He's been backed into a position he wasn't expecting to be in. He's just choking out the truth to get everything out in the open. He just has to spit it out to get through it and hope for the best--all while not breaking down.
posted by sardonyx at 8:45 AM on March 31, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by Emmy Rae at 7:26 PM on March 29
I think that line delivery works. He's frightened. He's upset. He has no idea what Emma will do and what that will mean for his future freedom--not to mention his family's. He's been backed into a position he wasn't expecting to be in. He's just choking out the truth to get everything out in the open. He just has to spit it out to get through it and hope for the best--all while not breaking down.
posted by sardonyx at 8:45 AM on March 31, 2023 [2 favorites]
Also, just when the "will she find out" plot starts to get ridiculous
I was SO SURE this was going to have some sort of "Hey wait, how can I hear this local dog barking on your end of the phone call...?" reveal and happy they did it a better way with Charlie coming clean and not just getting caught by her.
Also I feel weird about this campaign staff plant in Emma's brother's campaign! I'm hoping that whole thing is more complicated than she is getting set up to gradually get more intimate with him and then blackmail him.
posted by jessamyn at 10:03 AM on March 31, 2023 [2 favorites]
I was SO SURE this was going to have some sort of "Hey wait, how can I hear this local dog barking on your end of the phone call...?" reveal and happy they did it a better way with Charlie coming clean and not just getting caught by her.
Also I feel weird about this campaign staff plant in Emma's brother's campaign! I'm hoping that whole thing is more complicated than she is getting set up to gradually get more intimate with him and then blackmail him.
posted by jessamyn at 10:03 AM on March 31, 2023 [2 favorites]
Hmm, obviously the staffer her brother hired is up to something, but now I have to wonder if she was (indirectly) placed there by the drug cartel and the danger's closer to Emma's family than I thought...
posted by mmoncur at 8:11 PM on March 31, 2023
posted by mmoncur at 8:11 PM on March 31, 2023
I’m only two episodes in, so not reading all the comments. But I’m grateful to Fanfare for getting me to watch this show! It’s a lot of fun. I love the chemistry between the leads, and I love the family interactions.
posted by obfuscation at 7:11 AM on April 1, 2023 [3 favorites]
posted by obfuscation at 7:11 AM on April 1, 2023 [3 favorites]
Omg. What a way to bring Emma and Charlie back together.
posted by porpoise at 6:16 PM on April 5, 2023
posted by porpoise at 6:16 PM on April 5, 2023
They did a nice job raising the stakes in this episode.
My one issue is that the dirt on Emma's dad really doesn't seem like a big deal. A retired senator had an affair and got someone a contract decades ago? Maybe I'm too jaded by the last 7 years but who cares? The son says "I'm not responsible for my dad's mistakes" and we're done. However I appreciate that they had to come up with something bad but not so bad you lose all respect for the dad, so I am going with it.
posted by Emmy Rae at 8:36 PM on April 5, 2023 [1 favorite]
My one issue is that the dirt on Emma's dad really doesn't seem like a big deal. A retired senator had an affair and got someone a contract decades ago? Maybe I'm too jaded by the last 7 years but who cares? The son says "I'm not responsible for my dad's mistakes" and we're done. However I appreciate that they had to come up with something bad but not so bad you lose all respect for the dad, so I am going with it.
posted by Emmy Rae at 8:36 PM on April 5, 2023 [1 favorite]
"She's into some pretty heavy stuff. If I do this, you're not gonna end up liking me very much."
"That's OK, I kind of don't like you right now."
Such good chemistry between the leads that THAT ended up sounding flirty.
As for Emma's Dad, I think it is a pretty minor thing but it's a close-knit family and Emma's brother has been running on a campaign of "Look who my father is" so it could easily lose him the election if the race is close.
That was a really good episode! Cats flying out of bags all over the place! After seeing so many shows where characters, even the "good guys", keep secrets until they're found out, this show is so refreshing.
The heist was pretty good, I appreciate the details that they replaced the EMP package with an innocent box and rigged a coffee maker so nobody had any idea an intrusion had happened.
I even thought Simon was kind of sweet, I hope he doesn't turn into a liability.
posted by mmoncur at 11:56 PM on April 5, 2023 [2 favorites]
"That's OK, I kind of don't like you right now."
Such good chemistry between the leads that THAT ended up sounding flirty.
As for Emma's Dad, I think it is a pretty minor thing but it's a close-knit family and Emma's brother has been running on a campaign of "Look who my father is" so it could easily lose him the election if the race is close.
That was a really good episode! Cats flying out of bags all over the place! After seeing so many shows where characters, even the "good guys", keep secrets until they're found out, this show is so refreshing.
The heist was pretty good, I appreciate the details that they replaced the EMP package with an innocent box and rigged a coffee maker so nobody had any idea an intrusion had happened.
I even thought Simon was kind of sweet, I hope he doesn't turn into a liability.
posted by mmoncur at 11:56 PM on April 5, 2023 [2 favorites]
Agreed - less of a political issue than a "family drama" issue.
GDmned, I (as HKer in Canada) remember when my mom started breaking after accusing my dad of taking the services of a prostitute, which he did. Fck. Went on for a long time, super drama-ey. Sucked.
posted by porpoise at 1:08 AM on April 6, 2023 [2 favorites]
GDmned, I (as HKer in Canada) remember when my mom started breaking after accusing my dad of taking the services of a prostitute, which he did. Fck. Went on for a long time, super drama-ey. Sucked.
posted by porpoise at 1:08 AM on April 6, 2023 [2 favorites]
After seeing so many shows where characters, even the "good guys", keep secrets until they're found out, this show is so refreshing.
Well said!
posted by Emmy Rae at 7:18 AM on April 6, 2023 [1 favorite]
Well said!
posted by Emmy Rae at 7:18 AM on April 6, 2023 [1 favorite]
Alright, I'm not sure what Emma is up to in episode 7. Is she just trying to quash her feelings for Charlie because she doesn't trust her judgment/their relationship/him? Or is she maintaining distance for some secret CIA safety reason and will burst out once the job is over "thank god that's done, I loved you the whole time!" or whatever her version of that would be?
I feel bad for Charlie having to save his own neck all the time. First he has to figure out all these ways to do Daphne's work, then Emma tells him "You'll figure something out" in the middle of the job she got him into in the first place.
I appreciated the whole Birdie storyline. It felt like everyone was trying really hard to do the right thing by each other and there was just no way around the pain of it. Part of me is waiting for Simon to have a heroic moment so Bird trusts him again but maybe they will go for the real life version where you just have to decided if you trust them or not and if you're wrong you find out the hard way.
posted by Emmy Rae at 11:11 AM on April 11, 2023 [1 favorite]
I feel bad for Charlie having to save his own neck all the time. First he has to figure out all these ways to do Daphne's work, then Emma tells him "You'll figure something out" in the middle of the job she got him into in the first place.
I appreciated the whole Birdie storyline. It felt like everyone was trying really hard to do the right thing by each other and there was just no way around the pain of it. Part of me is waiting for Simon to have a heroic moment so Bird trusts him again but maybe they will go for the real life version where you just have to decided if you trust them or not and if you're wrong you find out the hard way.
posted by Emmy Rae at 11:11 AM on April 11, 2023 [1 favorite]
Yeah the whole Charlie/Emma thing has stayed complicated. Like they clearly both still have feelings for one another but Charlie really wants them to stay together since her being CIA isn't a deal breaker for him but Emma seems to be feeling that him being a criminal may be a deal breaker for her. But then we learn more about Charlie's family history and some of Daphne's backstory and you're definitely supposed to get the feeling that everyone's choices are complicated.
Was surprised that Charlie didn't know to rip out his comms the moment the FBI showed up at the super secret thing and was also surprised that all the pieces Daphne and Charlie need to put together to have her arms deal work were not super complex.
Simon seems sincere, as far as the show will let us in to what he's up to. I hope Ollie gets to have a good dad, regardless of whatever Birdie and he work out.
posted by jessamyn at 11:33 AM on April 11, 2023 [1 favorite]
Was surprised that Charlie didn't know to rip out his comms the moment the FBI showed up at the super secret thing and was also surprised that all the pieces Daphne and Charlie need to put together to have her arms deal work were not super complex.
Simon seems sincere, as far as the show will let us in to what he's up to. I hope Ollie gets to have a good dad, regardless of whatever Birdie and he work out.
posted by jessamyn at 11:33 AM on April 11, 2023 [1 favorite]
I feel like even though Daphne seems to be the main "villain" of this show, the show wants us to like her? Sure were working on humanizing her tonight. I predict some kind of semi-good-guy turn.
Ollie is very understanding. I'm kinda rooting for them all there.
posted by jenfullmoon at 12:54 PM on April 11, 2023 [1 favorite]
Ollie is very understanding. I'm kinda rooting for them all there.
posted by jenfullmoon at 12:54 PM on April 11, 2023 [1 favorite]
One other thing: WHY would Charlie tell Daphne that his dad has dementia? She strikes me as being very open to exploiting that vulnerability.
posted by Emmy Rae at 4:52 PM on April 11, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by Emmy Rae at 4:52 PM on April 11, 2023 [2 favorites]
That was surprising to me too. And the odd cognitive dissonance that they know this about their dad but (up til now anyhow) continue to include him in their heists/schemes/grifts even though he sometimes makes mistakes or loses the thread.
posted by jessamyn at 7:15 AM on April 12, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by jessamyn at 7:15 AM on April 12, 2023 [1 favorite]
Yeah, this is ... not how dementia goes, in my unfortunate experience. I wish dementia wasn't a plot point because it really should make him unable to do con schemes.
posted by jenfullmoon at 9:35 AM on April 12, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by jenfullmoon at 9:35 AM on April 12, 2023 [1 favorite]
I wish they'd be clear about Dad's condition, I'm pretty sure they've called it "dementia" and "memory loss" and (in the last episode) "Alzheimer's". I'm pretty sure those aren't all the same thing. In the last episode he mentioned an MMSE test, which is just a general cognitive test that could apply to any of those.
I'm assuming he's VERY early in the progression of whatever-it-is but it's serious to them since a tiny mistake could put him in prison, as it nearly did. (I'm a mentally healthy man in his 50s and I'm pretty sure I couldn't maintain a con persona without a slip right now. Thank goodness I abandoned that career path.)
I've spent enough time watching other shows that I was seriously worried when they found out he'd disappeared to the golf course though.
I enjoyed this one (Art of the Steel). Emma's starting to realize that being a tool of the corrupt fascist spy state might be just as morally grey as being a con artist, crossing a line she probably shouldn't have crossed. Birdie and Emma had surprisingly good chemistry. It was good to see a con NOT go perfectly too.
They're definitely trying to make Daphne relatable and I don't really like that, she's crossed some criminal lines that Charlie's family never has and I won't ever see her as a good guy. But I do like the overall family theme, now that Daphne had a family reunion we have three different protagonists who are driven by their close relationships with their families.
posted by mmoncur at 8:10 PM on April 18, 2023 [3 favorites]
I'm assuming he's VERY early in the progression of whatever-it-is but it's serious to them since a tiny mistake could put him in prison, as it nearly did. (I'm a mentally healthy man in his 50s and I'm pretty sure I couldn't maintain a con persona without a slip right now. Thank goodness I abandoned that career path.)
I've spent enough time watching other shows that I was seriously worried when they found out he'd disappeared to the golf course though.
I enjoyed this one (Art of the Steel). Emma's starting to realize that being a tool of the corrupt fascist spy state might be just as morally grey as being a con artist, crossing a line she probably shouldn't have crossed. Birdie and Emma had surprisingly good chemistry. It was good to see a con NOT go perfectly too.
They're definitely trying to make Daphne relatable and I don't really like that, she's crossed some criminal lines that Charlie's family never has and I won't ever see her as a good guy. But I do like the overall family theme, now that Daphne had a family reunion we have three different protagonists who are driven by their close relationships with their families.
posted by mmoncur at 8:10 PM on April 18, 2023 [3 favorites]
They're definitely trying to make Daphne relatable and I don't really like that,
I took it more as they are trying to make her comprehensible rather than relatable. At this point I find her sad. Those guys are never gonna respect you! It would be kind of entertaining if she handed everything over to them and they got caught up with the CIA instead of her.
I liked the Bird-Emma dynamic. The last few episodes I have found Emma very naive in her black/white thinking so I'm glad she has a more multifaceted view of crime and this family's practice of it.
posted by Emmy Rae at 12:15 PM on April 23, 2023 [3 favorites]
I took it more as they are trying to make her comprehensible rather than relatable. At this point I find her sad. Those guys are never gonna respect you! It would be kind of entertaining if she handed everything over to them and they got caught up with the CIA instead of her.
I liked the Bird-Emma dynamic. The last few episodes I have found Emma very naive in her black/white thinking so I'm glad she has a more multifaceted view of crime and this family's practice of it.
posted by Emmy Rae at 12:15 PM on April 23, 2023 [3 favorites]
I have to keep giving this show credit for the little things. In most other TV shows and movies, when an offer is made and written down and passed along on a piece of paper or card, the amount is never revealed. The person receiving the offer is shown in a reaction shot lifting their eyebrows or whistling or something. (I suspect this is done to keep the show from being too dated in the future.) Not this show. This show flips the card and zooms in the camera to see the offer for the bar: $4.5 million. It's good to see this figure as it offers real context: the viewers can come to a conclusion themselves about how much this offer is worth compared to other monetary values we're already familiar with (like the amount stolen from the Irish mob that set everything in motion). It's a sign that the production team thinks highly enough of the audience that they're giving us all the information regarding every character's situation. Well done TCYK!
As we've come to expect, the pacing is being kept up, and nothing is being dragged out and characters aren't wallowing in their situations and crying about betrayal. Things happen, secrets are exposed and everybody just has to keep on with life and making the best of their tenuous situations. It keeps the story moving along and keeps the viewer from becoming bored. Again, nice job.
I can't say the alliance between Grace and Claire was expected (at least by me), and I do appreciate being surprised by that kind of character development.
I can't see how the two Jeffs thing would work when it comes to evidence. Maguire Jr. and Sr. could honestly swear (give testimony) they've never met the gun seller and never made a deal with him. The same thing in reverse. Now, I know about stings and undercover agents posing as bad guys, but there was only one wired-up asset Charlie. Birdie's ex wasn't on the books. I'm guessing that could throw a loophole into any legal case. (Yes, I know the intention is to go higher up the food chain, but for a threat to prosecute to work and get the bad guy to flip, the legal jeopardy has to be viable).
It's interesting that they made David's girlfriend be the one to realize there could be something wrong with the car. Again, that's not usually how similar scenarios would play out in other programs.
posted by sardonyx at 9:14 PM on May 2, 2023 [2 favorites]
As we've come to expect, the pacing is being kept up, and nothing is being dragged out and characters aren't wallowing in their situations and crying about betrayal. Things happen, secrets are exposed and everybody just has to keep on with life and making the best of their tenuous situations. It keeps the story moving along and keeps the viewer from becoming bored. Again, nice job.
I can't say the alliance between Grace and Claire was expected (at least by me), and I do appreciate being surprised by that kind of character development.
I can't see how the two Jeffs thing would work when it comes to evidence. Maguire Jr. and Sr. could honestly swear (give testimony) they've never met the gun seller and never made a deal with him. The same thing in reverse. Now, I know about stings and undercover agents posing as bad guys, but there was only one wired-up asset Charlie. Birdie's ex wasn't on the books. I'm guessing that could throw a loophole into any legal case. (Yes, I know the intention is to go higher up the food chain, but for a threat to prosecute to work and get the bad guy to flip, the legal jeopardy has to be viable).
It's interesting that they made David's girlfriend be the one to realize there could be something wrong with the car. Again, that's not usually how similar scenarios would play out in other programs.
posted by sardonyx at 9:14 PM on May 2, 2023 [2 favorites]
Daphne is BIPOC? This show has dim lighting in every scene, but.... um, I'm dumb, I couldn't tell?
Wow, David just having a meltdown of honesty and quitting in mid-show, damn. Ouuuuch on that car scene. "Excited for what comes next?" OY.
Kinda respecting mom for leaking her own memoir.
Yup, now Daphne's no longer the enemy...I guess? I find this show interesting but confusing.
posted by jenfullmoon at 1:08 PM on May 6, 2023
Wow, David just having a meltdown of honesty and quitting in mid-show, damn. Ouuuuch on that car scene. "Excited for what comes next?" OY.
Kinda respecting mom for leaking her own memoir.
Yup, now Daphne's no longer the enemy...I guess? I find this show interesting but confusing.
posted by jenfullmoon at 1:08 PM on May 6, 2023
Daphne is BIPOC? This show has dim lighting in every scene, but.... um, I'm dumb, I couldn't tell?
There have been a few (short) shots of the photo of Daphne's mom who appears Black in the photos. They may have mentioned this specifically at one point but I don't remember. The actress who plays Daphne, Felisha Terrell, is also BIPOC.
posted by jessamyn at 1:17 PM on May 6, 2023 [1 favorite]
There have been a few (short) shots of the photo of Daphne's mom who appears Black in the photos. They may have mentioned this specifically at one point but I don't remember. The actress who plays Daphne, Felisha Terrell, is also BIPOC.
posted by jessamyn at 1:17 PM on May 6, 2023 [1 favorite]
I wasn't sure how they could keep this going, but... I'm excited for season two.
posted by Night_owl at 12:30 PM on May 8, 2023
posted by Night_owl at 12:30 PM on May 8, 2023
Yeah I had no idea how this was going to move forward and I felt it nicely wrapped up.
- nice involvement by Ollie who is growing up and yet no simple "let's get back together" track for Birdie and Simon
- Emma and Charlie still need to hammer some things out but seem on more equal footing and Emma has some money to go rogue
- ominous situation for David and his "girlfriend" (A Claire Fox plant for some other reason?)
- sorry to see Patrick Maguire die since I liked that actor a great deal
- Daphne is in the wind again
- maybe a bigger role for Mason who was a great supporting character
I agree with sardonyx, this could have been a super formulaic show and it wound up being a little more than that which I appreciated.
posted by jessamyn at 12:56 PM on May 8, 2023 [4 favorites]
- nice involvement by Ollie who is growing up and yet no simple "let's get back together" track for Birdie and Simon
- Emma and Charlie still need to hammer some things out but seem on more equal footing and Emma has some money to go rogue
- ominous situation for David and his "girlfriend" (A Claire Fox plant for some other reason?)
- sorry to see Patrick Maguire die since I liked that actor a great deal
- Daphne is in the wind again
- maybe a bigger role for Mason who was a great supporting character
I agree with sardonyx, this could have been a super formulaic show and it wound up being a little more than that which I appreciated.
posted by jessamyn at 12:56 PM on May 8, 2023 [4 favorites]
Awwww, I was so sad during the breakup scene. He's right, but still.
Interesting new job you got yourself, Emma.
Did enjoy the "oh, is that a syringe?" kind of pranky stunts they were pulling on the rich people to throw off the gentrification deal. Obviously if they're offering you 7 figures for a bar, they're gonna tear it down, duh.
Still amused that David is now winning....and then making himself into a lame duck. That guy's not an instinctual politician, for sure.
Dunno if this will get a second season since it sounds like it wasn't a hit + writer's strike, but it was fun while it lasted.
posted by jenfullmoon at 2:26 PM on May 8, 2023 [2 favorites]
Interesting new job you got yourself, Emma.
Did enjoy the "oh, is that a syringe?" kind of pranky stunts they were pulling on the rich people to throw off the gentrification deal. Obviously if they're offering you 7 figures for a bar, they're gonna tear it down, duh.
Still amused that David is now winning....and then making himself into a lame duck. That guy's not an instinctual politician, for sure.
Dunno if this will get a second season since it sounds like it wasn't a hit + writer's strike, but it was fun while it lasted.
posted by jenfullmoon at 2:26 PM on May 8, 2023 [2 favorites]
I hadn't thought about it not being renewed, jenfullmoon. At least it was a complete season/story. If we don't get more, I will probably miss it but it won't feel unfinished.
posted by Night_owl at 6:29 AM on May 10, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by Night_owl at 6:29 AM on May 10, 2023 [2 favorites]
I just caught up with the last episode. As people have said, it feels like it wrapped up in a satisfying and relatively adult manner--none of this "but we WUV each other, our differences don't matter stuff" that a lot of other shows try to pull. ''
I mean, a rogue group of operatives is never going to pull down the CIA, but it's a nice pipe dream and something that would stoke a lot of revenge fantasies that would be very familiar to anybody who was unjustly pushed out of job, especially a job where they thought they were fighting the good fight.
I can't see that I saw a Russian plant coming--a plant and a political operative, sure, but not a Russian one. That's an unexpected twist.
I did love the bookended final scene at the bar. What a nice way to end things off, back to where it all started, but with the characters having grown and matured and arrived at a very different place from where they started. Nicely done, writers.
I'm glad that I created the initial post and was able to introduce a group of MeFites to the show. It gave me a community to watch it with, which is always nice.
I have no idea what the show's renewal status is, but I can say that if it comes back, so will I. The production teams has earned a ton of faith and goodwill from me and I'm happy to give them some more of my time. And if that happens, I'll be looking forward to reading everybody's thoughts about season two.
posted by sardonyx at 9:16 PM on May 10, 2023 [1 favorite]
I mean, a rogue group of operatives is never going to pull down the CIA, but it's a nice pipe dream and something that would stoke a lot of revenge fantasies that would be very familiar to anybody who was unjustly pushed out of job, especially a job where they thought they were fighting the good fight.
I can't see that I saw a Russian plant coming--a plant and a political operative, sure, but not a Russian one. That's an unexpected twist.
I did love the bookended final scene at the bar. What a nice way to end things off, back to where it all started, but with the characters having grown and matured and arrived at a very different place from where they started. Nicely done, writers.
I'm glad that I created the initial post and was able to introduce a group of MeFites to the show. It gave me a community to watch it with, which is always nice.
I have no idea what the show's renewal status is, but I can say that if it comes back, so will I. The production teams has earned a ton of faith and goodwill from me and I'm happy to give them some more of my time. And if that happens, I'll be looking forward to reading everybody's thoughts about season two.
posted by sardonyx at 9:16 PM on May 10, 2023 [1 favorite]
Thank you sardonyx, I don't think I would have noticed it otherwise!
I was surprised by the end, I thought that since Emma is no longer totally loyal to the CIA, they would get together officially and then the set up for a potential next season would focus on a different couple or character (I was hoping Mason).
I feel bad for David but I also find him frustrating. As jenfullmoon says, no political instincts at all. So he's in politics because he felt his parents wanted it. His girlfriend dropped out of nowhere because someone else is pulling the strings. He is abandoning traditional politics but doesn't seem to have any direction he is trying to go... what are you doing, sir?? Any why?
Bird's ex is funny to me too. Finally back in touch with his ex wife and child so he is just completely chill about doing whatever conman work they suggest to him. As far as we see he has no questions and needs no convincing. He's not even particularly anxious to please, just kind of along for the ride and as a Generic White Guy he can convince anyone he's anyone with no trouble at all.
Charlie is so goddamn lucky that Patrick shoots for the chest and not head - and is a good shot!
posted by Emmy Rae at 11:50 AM on May 11, 2023 [2 favorites]
I was surprised by the end, I thought that since Emma is no longer totally loyal to the CIA, they would get together officially and then the set up for a potential next season would focus on a different couple or character (I was hoping Mason).
I feel bad for David but I also find him frustrating. As jenfullmoon says, no political instincts at all. So he's in politics because he felt his parents wanted it. His girlfriend dropped out of nowhere because someone else is pulling the strings. He is abandoning traditional politics but doesn't seem to have any direction he is trying to go... what are you doing, sir?? Any why?
Bird's ex is funny to me too. Finally back in touch with his ex wife and child so he is just completely chill about doing whatever conman work they suggest to him. As far as we see he has no questions and needs no convincing. He's not even particularly anxious to please, just kind of along for the ride and as a Generic White Guy he can convince anyone he's anyone with no trouble at all.
Charlie is so goddamn lucky that Patrick shoots for the chest and not head - and is a good shot!
posted by Emmy Rae at 11:50 AM on May 11, 2023 [2 favorites]
Good last episode and great show all around! I pretty much watch every spy drama they throw out there but this one was way better than expected.
I was happy with the ending, and I'd be super happy if we got a season 2.
Random thoughts:
- David's girlfriend: I don't think she's a Claire Fox plant, I think she used Fox to get the position and she's actually way worse than Fox... It's a good twist, and now we know why she instinctively knew the car was about to explode.
- Tony Shalhoub: I was sure he'd turn out to be conning the con artists, I'm a bit disappointed he was just Every Real Estate Speculator Ever Written. But I'm glad they took him for a ride, and using a (real) FBI raid and gunfight to do it was darkly hilarious.
- Charlie and Emma: Really good, they still have potential for a relationship but they're not pretending it could ever be a simple one.
- Bird's ex: My read is that he's willing to do conman stuff because he has some experience and that's how they met in the first place. My one objection is that he's a recovering addict and I'm surprised he didn't consider the conning part of the bad behavior pattern.
- Daphne: Dammit, I ended up liking her at the end too.
- Charlie's dad: I thought for sure they'd bring his memory problems back for some season finale drama but I'm kind of glad they didn't, maybe he can just be OK for a while.
Thanks sardonyx and everybody for the fun discussions and I hope we get another season of this unexpectedly mature and wholesome spy show!
posted by mmoncur at 12:30 AM on May 12, 2023 [2 favorites]
I was happy with the ending, and I'd be super happy if we got a season 2.
Random thoughts:
- David's girlfriend: I don't think she's a Claire Fox plant, I think she used Fox to get the position and she's actually way worse than Fox... It's a good twist, and now we know why she instinctively knew the car was about to explode.
- Tony Shalhoub: I was sure he'd turn out to be conning the con artists, I'm a bit disappointed he was just Every Real Estate Speculator Ever Written. But I'm glad they took him for a ride, and using a (real) FBI raid and gunfight to do it was darkly hilarious.
- Charlie and Emma: Really good, they still have potential for a relationship but they're not pretending it could ever be a simple one.
- Bird's ex: My read is that he's willing to do conman stuff because he has some experience and that's how they met in the first place. My one objection is that he's a recovering addict and I'm surprised he didn't consider the conning part of the bad behavior pattern.
- Daphne: Dammit, I ended up liking her at the end too.
- Charlie's dad: I thought for sure they'd bring his memory problems back for some season finale drama but I'm kind of glad they didn't, maybe he can just be OK for a while.
Thanks sardonyx and everybody for the fun discussions and I hope we get another season of this unexpectedly mature and wholesome spy show!
posted by mmoncur at 12:30 AM on May 12, 2023 [2 favorites]
I also have to admire the writers' setup for a potential season 2. Even though they wrapped up all of the storylines neatly, they left us with:
- A rebooted will-they-or-won't-they (but they probably will) romance for Emma and Charlie
- A new motivation for Charlie's family as they move a bit toward "lawful" conning
- A new motivation for Emma as she moves a bit toward "unlawful" spying, and bringing the two supporting CIA characters I like into the spotlight
- A Russian spy manipulating David, which gives his character some stakes for next time and sets up a situation that would be a perfect foil for a rogue team of CIA operatives and a team of righteous con artists
- Daphne is out there somewhere as a potential wildcard
I don't know if we'll ever get more but... Well done.
posted by mmoncur at 12:42 AM on May 12, 2023 [1 favorite]
- A rebooted will-they-or-won't-they (but they probably will) romance for Emma and Charlie
- A new motivation for Charlie's family as they move a bit toward "lawful" conning
- A new motivation for Emma as she moves a bit toward "unlawful" spying, and bringing the two supporting CIA characters I like into the spotlight
- A Russian spy manipulating David, which gives his character some stakes for next time and sets up a situation that would be a perfect foil for a rogue team of CIA operatives and a team of righteous con artists
- Daphne is out there somewhere as a potential wildcard
I don't know if we'll ever get more but... Well done.
posted by mmoncur at 12:42 AM on May 12, 2023 [1 favorite]
Don't forget, we didn't actually see a body after the junior mobster fell bleeding into the ocean. He could still be alive and pop up in the future (assuming the show has one). Note, I don't actually want to see that, as it feels like too much of a standard cop-out for this show, but it's the one other loose end that hasn't been mentioned so far.
posted by sardonyx at 8:42 AM on May 12, 2023
posted by sardonyx at 8:42 AM on May 12, 2023
Boo :(
posted by obfuscation at 4:05 AM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by obfuscation at 4:05 AM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]
Actually really disappointed. Thanks everyone.
posted by Night_owl at 11:09 AM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]
posted by Night_owl at 11:09 AM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]
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Three episodes in and I'm perfectly content to watch all of the plot elements unravel slowly (unlike, apparently some of the reviewers). It seems with each episode another layer of complexity gets added, which does give me a bit of pause that this is going to turn into a big, messy, overcomplicated knot that doesn't get untied if the network cancels this show prematurely.
I'm along for the ride, however long it lasts--assuming the current quality doesn't take a deep dive off a sharp cliff.
posted by sardonyx at 9:44 AM on March 11, 2023