Cinemax's STRIKE BACK

Don't think there is a thread for this...this show should not be running underneath the radar.

Just caught up with episode 2 of the two part premiere...this is some really great stuff guys.

As I described it to my friend, it is basically 24 with teeth...and tits.

The two leads have a great buddy cop dynamic and the action is well shot.  Last episode had a great climax, lots of tension, great finale.  And they planted some good seeds for future storylines.

Plus for the 24 fans out there...the possibility of a mole exists, just as there seemed to be one in CTU every season.

Highly recommend this.  Critics of course are cool on it, but fuck them.

Anyone else seen this?  Thoughts?

Yea I did read about it Walt.  Apparently the title is in reference to a UK book series.  Season 1 was pure British.  My understanding is that Season 2 does not have any links (overt at least) with season 1 and its main goal was to allow it to be shown on both sides of the Atlantic.

If its not already obvious, I would highly recommend it.

Whoever that irish chick was, her tits deserve an emmy nomination!

Another stirring installment!

Headshots continue!  At this point Molt, this show is trying to establish its own standard for gun violence as far as cable tv goes.  It is in a league of its own...only after 3 episodes.

Even though we all know they wouldnt kill the charismatic American lead, it was still pretty tense...

As much as I loved 24 at its peak (but it had OH SO MANY valleys), I am enjoying this shows formula (and budget) a lot more.

Needless to say, my enjoyment factor of a TV show is usually inversely related to its likelihood of getting another season.  Enjoy it while it lasts boys and girls.

Another great headshot filled episode!!!

I liked that they had the balls to kill off a regular (not the one you think!)

Really really digging this show.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moltisanti 

Are as many folks shot in the head in the first season? Or is that a stylistic decision implemented by Cinemax?

 

I can understand the team being upset over the death of one of their own, but still pretty dumb to kill off Liam Cunningham without torturing some intel out of him first. No wonder Latif always manages to evade them.

 

Next week's guest star is the guy from Game of Thrones who reminds me of Ridley Scott. Yippey.

Over/Under on him receiving a headshot?

WOMAN LAID...CHECK

HEADSHOT...CHECK

UNNECESSARY DEATH OF INNOCENT BYSTANDERS...CHECK

Another successful episode of STRIKE BACK.

It seem like Molt and I are the only ones enjoying this show, but god damnit if it doesn't hit all the action movie cliches on point.

This is really great stuff.

Also, I am pretty sure there are two things that you can do in a movie/tv show that pretty much sell me on them.

Example 1: THE KILLER ELITE trailer has been showing a scene of Clive Owen saying "THIS GUY IS GOOD".  What movie/tv show that states this line about some bad ass character is ever bad?  

Example 2: At the end of this last episode, Stonebridge and a rag tag group walk towards the camera guns loaded and says "LETS DO THIS".  ARE YOU KIDDING ME!?!?  That was great.  

This show teeters along a razor's edge between laughably cartoonish and pure bad-ass.  Its a great balance, and here's to hoping they continue to keep this up throughout the season.

According to wikipedia, "it was the best ratings performance for the network since a broacast of the film Titanic in 2005." in reference to the premiere episode.

here's hoping that means a second season is inevitable.

I think the fact that its a joint production with some British channel probably really helps offset the costs.

Also, the show is filmed in South Africa, which gives it a lot of flexibility in locations.

hehehe.  yes that was a great line.  I was actually a bit shocked that Scott didn't give those two mercs in the jeep some Brain Lead Poisoning...but they were knocked out so it was probably a little too easy.

I am sorry to say molt, the way this show handles its "red shirts" I am pretty sure the cab driver bites it...one can only hope its from a head shot because thats the only fitting way to leave this show.

IT ALL PAID OFF!

Now it makes sense why Scott didn't kill the South African Mercs!

Anyway, lets go through the "OFFICIAL STRIKE BACK CHECKLIST"

1. Persons shot in the head: Well, Scott scalpeled that dirty politician to the back of the head...can that count?  I think so

2. Hot chicks laid:  Well, Scott boned that journalist (against doctors orders!) at the end...but she was the same chick from last episode...can that count?  I think so.

3. Unnecessary innocent bystander death:  That nurse took out half the camp with the grenade while trying to avoid the rape...that counts.

A couple of cool highlights...taser to the nuts.  Thats a new one that I've never seen before.  In the field chest tube (while its been done before, it was still cool)

Adewale (not gonna try typing his last name), was a pretty nutso villain who was despicably evil.  I also enjoyed the fact that he survived with a bulletproof vest.

I was glad that Yakub survived and got the money, the car (with a giant gun on it), and a replacement kid for the family he lost!  Alls well that ends well folks!

Best action show on TV!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moltisanti 

One of my complaints about television has always been not enough shows depicting 12 year-old kids hurling grenades. Thank goodness Strike Back is around to rectify that malady.

 

Last 2 weeks have had way more exciting action than anything in KILLER ELITE.

 

Now with the name of the turncoat agent revealed, we're one step closer to catching the elusive Latif!

I do dislike the fact that the show continues to perpetuate the stereotype that Sudanese pre-teens are ALL excellent grenade throwers.  Thats a blanket statement that I think might be unfair to the Sudanese pre-teens that are excellent marksmen with AKs.

STRIKE BACK is only in competition with itself at this point.

After this past episode, it is safe to say that 24 and all other action TV of the past decade is now dead to me.

STRIKE BACK is officially my favorite action series of all time.

Lets go through our countdown shall we?

1. HEADSHOTS:  WOW.  A plethora.  I think literally within the first 2 minutes of screen time (didnt even get to the opening theme) we got two guys going down with a headshot.  I thought, wow they got that out of the way fast...but they weren't even close to being done!  The shoot out on the exchange resulted in some brilliant headshots

2. SEX: Right after the opening, we see Scott going down on some chick...unfortunately work cock blocked him, but I guess you gotta give him credit for thinking of the woman first right?  See he has a heart!  With that said, sexual intimacy was achieved with a very hot chick...CHECK

3.  INNOCENT BYSTANDER DEATH:  This one is going unchecked.  I feel like giving it to the show ALMOST only because how ruthless the Kosovo heroin boss was with the old lady.  But then they went out of their way to save the heroin workers, which begged the question why couldn't the old lady just be forced to pack heroin?  Did the boss know that his men would have no interest in raping the grandma?  I would like to think thats the case.  If anything its a sign that this drug kingpin keeps his ear to the ground when it comes to his men.  He is out there with his men tracking down the hostages.  

4.  EVERYTHING GOES TO SHIT:  This is a new one for me that I am retroactively applying to previous episodes.  The plans always go to shit and require quick thinking by mike and scott.  This time even the characters in the show expected everything to go to shit though.  Thats some "meta" shit right there folks.

Also, I want to give big kudos to the fact that mike without hesitation pulled out his submachine gun and just started shooting at the bike bombers in the streets of austria.

Once again people, this is THE BEST ACTION SHOW ON TV

I bet it was that snake in the grass Donohue...didn't like the cut of his gib from day one.

I have a feeling that this was planned by the kosovian (sp?) drug dealer from the beginning in an effort to capture that MI6 spy guy in the delegation.  The hostage exchange was a big smokescreen.

And Casey...I apologize fully.  I don't know what more to say.  I feel like both the stars of the show Phillip Winchester and Sullivan Stapleton should be making the late night talk show rounds.

Also, where are the bloggers on this show?  I mean they write about the most assinine bullshit on TV e.g. new season of CAKE BOSS or whatever the fuck but I haven't read one good article about the show championing it?

Not to sound to self absorbed here, but I feel like between the boards here and facebook, I might be the biggest supporter of this show on the WWW right now.

http://insidetv.ew.com/2011/10/06/strike-back-renewed/

Finally Hollywood has done something right.

i can now rest easy.

WOW.  SOME OF THE MOST TENSE MINUTES ON TV I HAVE EVER SEEN.

So much going on.  The rape lottery was malevolently hilarious, but the coup de grace was Scott waiting for them with the machine gun in the hallway.

Lateef does not fuck around!

I second Molt's call on the wire work showing that guy get blown across the hallway...I audibly gasped when I saw that.

I don't even know what to say anymore.  I have run out of hyperbole for this show...

On to the countdown...

1. HEADSHOTS:  The obvious triple tap to Hasani was shot from a POV angle, but the headshot was shown in all its gruesome glory as Michael escaped the torture operating room or whatever.

    a. Throat Slashes: I am giving a subcategory to knifes to the jugular because there were several and while they aren't headshots, they do involve the head.  I got a lot of shades of Rambo: First Blood Part II as Scott went through the base taking out guards and then culminating with the light machine gun attack.

2. SEX:  An interesting wrinkle added to Scott's character.  He liked the blonde way too much to actually sleep with her...thats classy folks.  But he was able to finish the deed with the Colonel's mole by some serious penetration.  Kudos to the editing by intercutting shots of Michael's baby ultrasound and Scott trying to make a baby.  I also enjoyed the fact that their actual time of coitus was probably 2 minutes...once again gotta give this show accolades for trying to be true to life!  The whole prospect of rape has been a disturbingly prevalent thread through a lot of these episodes.  Sadly, I think its also probably accurate given the areas of the world these guys are playing in.  

3.  INNOCENT BYSTANDER DEATH:  While I don't think he was innocent, Manny's breakdown throughout the first half of the episode was gleefully over the top.  His ending in red bits was a joy to watch.  His breakdown will be remembered for years to come if you ask me.

4.  EVERYTHING GOES TO SHIT:  I think the episode already started out that way.  But Michael heroically holding the bridge was something unexpected as well.  I didn't like that he conveniently survived and showed up in the lab.  I would rather they have just shown a short 1-2 minutes scene telling us he has been captured.  I don't think anyone really believed he was dead.

5.  WILD CARD OF THE EPISODE:  A new category I have created to highlight some of the things I have seen in this show that I have not seen anywhere else.  Molt beat me to it with his earlier post, but HOLY SHIT THEY SMUGGLED A HANDGUN IN A DECAPITATED HEAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I love how they nonchalantly realized that the "there was something a bit different about the way this head hit the floor...did you hear metal?"  Coulda fooled me!  But hey I don't see nearly enough heads hit the floor in my business.  I would like to find the writer of this episode and congratulate him for upping the ante with that one.  He/she (probably a he, who am I kidding) totally one upped the old "metal file in a birthday cake" gag.

Just to reiterate...THIS IS THE BEST ACTION SHOW ON TV...EVER.