Tyrant: Pilot
June 27, 2014 2:08 PM - Season 1, Episode 1 - Subscribe
Barry Al-Fayeed is a California pediatrician who also happens to be the second son of a Middle Eastern dictator. Barry reluctantly agrees to return home with his American family for his nephew’s wedding. Events thrust him into the complex and turbulent growing pains of a nation straining to break free from dictatorial rule.
Here's the Hollywood Reporter link. Thanks for the info! I'm going to read it right away.
I actually enjoyed it while I was watching, and not thinking too hard about it.
On reflection, yeah, it had some problems and cliches. And any show with such a touchy premise is probably on dangerous cultural ground from the very start.
I don't want to sound like Stephen "I don't see color" Colbert, but I didn't notice that the lead was a white guy.
Overall, I thought the premise was really interesting, and I plan on watching at least the next episode or two to see how progresses.
posted by The Deej at 11:14 AM on June 28, 2014
I actually enjoyed it while I was watching, and not thinking too hard about it.
On reflection, yeah, it had some problems and cliches. And any show with such a touchy premise is probably on dangerous cultural ground from the very start.
I don't want to sound like Stephen "I don't see color" Colbert, but I didn't notice that the lead was a white guy.
Overall, I thought the premise was really interesting, and I plan on watching at least the next episode or two to see how progresses.
posted by The Deej at 11:14 AM on June 28, 2014
Really hope they do a better job with Barry's wife in the later episodes. I don't think the character could be any more clueless than the way she was presented in the first episode.
posted by gyc at 9:21 PM on June 29, 2014
posted by gyc at 9:21 PM on June 29, 2014
Agreed, gyc. She came across as unbearably stupid to the point of breaking my suspension of disbelief. At one point I yelled at the screen "Haven't you ever seen Not Without My Daughter!"
Or even, say, the news. Or read a newspaper.
posted by The Deej at 6:16 AM on June 30, 2014
Or even, say, the news. Or read a newspaper.
posted by The Deej at 6:16 AM on June 30, 2014
Totally agree on the idiot wife. How can you not understand his reasoning for wanting to get out of there? I understand it and I haven't been married to the son of a Middle Eastern dictator for 19 years.
I'm also kind of disappointed Jamal didn't die because that actor is not the best. He has Whisper To Be Dramatic Syndrome.
Overall, though, I think it has promise. I'll keep watching.
posted by something something at 4:57 PM on July 1, 2014 [1 favorite]
I'm also kind of disappointed Jamal didn't die because that actor is not the best. He has Whisper To Be Dramatic Syndrome.
Overall, though, I think it has promise. I'll keep watching.
posted by something something at 4:57 PM on July 1, 2014 [1 favorite]
Interesting, but that pilot really wasn't as hard hitting as it should have been. Predictable, glossed over details, unbelievably stupid family. The uncle was brutal, and one dimensional. The daughter and son were both utterly whiny and unrelatable. The wife, my goodness, you think she's so dumb because she'll be revealed to be a CIA plant or something? I mean, she knows the guy she married is the son of a middle eastern dictator. How can they write her to be so very oblivious to everything. And while I like that actor from Weeds, having him as the chummy American diplomat feels wrong.
This show would fare better if we'd met and gotten to know all of the side players surrounding the dictator more, right away, so we could understand how the power in the palace worked and what kept the grandfather in power.
And the troubles with the pilot that the Hollywood Reporter article mentions are on full display. It wasn't very enjoyable, but I'll watch the second one and perhaps we'll have a post about it.
posted by Catblack at 12:16 AM on July 4, 2014
This show would fare better if we'd met and gotten to know all of the side players surrounding the dictator more, right away, so we could understand how the power in the palace worked and what kept the grandfather in power.
And the troubles with the pilot that the Hollywood Reporter article mentions are on full display. It wasn't very enjoyable, but I'll watch the second one and perhaps we'll have a post about it.
posted by Catblack at 12:16 AM on July 4, 2014
So far I like everything about this show, and am totally hooked by the premise.
posted by xammerboy at 8:47 PM on July 5, 2014
posted by xammerboy at 8:47 PM on July 5, 2014
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posted by Madamina at 9:05 PM on June 27, 2014