LIFE!
So Life has premiered on hulu and amazon this week - in preparation of the new season on NBC next week and I lay down to watch it at about 1 a.m. and not surprisingly fell asleep, but I'm going to comment on what I do remember. I am so thrilled that this series is back for a second season.
I don't know if any of my friends are Life watchers but ...
First of all, the appeal of this show is not the story lines and it will never be the story lines. If I want "ripped from the headlines" story driven cop drama with interchangeable characters I'll watch Law & Order. I watch this show because of Damian Lewis and Sarah Shahi and their respective characters Charlie Crews and Dani Reese. Lewis is an amazing actor and I've been following him for quite awhile, since Band of Brothers and then later the Forsyte Saga and I was thrilled last year when I realized he was going to be on television. I don't know much about Shahi and I don't particularly care beyond the fact that she completely ROCKS the character of Dani Reese.
That said, Charlie Crews is a fascinating character. The opening scene of last night's episode really embodied everything I love about him. It began with a focus on fruit. Crews is always eating fruit. This time, it was a piece of citrus. The focus on fruit was explained in the first season, but I really feel that sometimes it seems to have a deeper meaning for him. Some people have nervous ticks or habits they do when thinking or worrying over something. Charlie Crews eats fruit. Obsessively. But, it holds meaning for him and I can imagine the wheels and cogs of his brain turning over and over as he peels, slices, or bites the fruit. I don't know if it was Lewis or a director or a writer that came up with that particular character trait. No matter who it was - it is brilliant!
The kid stared at him on the subway, noticing the gun. "is that a real gun?"
"Yes."
"Can I touch it?"
"no!"
LOL!
The subway itself is kind of amusing. For those of you who have never had the *pleasure* of experiencing southern California (particularly Los Angeles) during rush hour I have to say this ... even though the 405 can be backed up at 2am - I would still rather take 45 minutes to drive 2 miles on Sepulveda Blvd than take the LA public transportation system. Crews apparently doesn't mind after he wrecked his $100,000+ car. It makes for some great moments though.
"... I was on the subway."
"Los Angles doesn't have a subway."
"yes it does."
And then there was the rest of the conversation with the boy on the subway.
"Have you ever shot anyone."
"Violence against one is violence against many, and violence against many is violence against myself."
Thank you Siddartha. How is that zen thing working out for you there Detective Crews? Not so well, really. Would that have anything to do with your anger issues? Have some more fruit and breathe deep.
"Yeah ... but have you ever shot anyone?" Leave it to the kid to get to the heart of the matter, eh?
"No one ... that didn't deserve it." Oh you tell him badass.
But it really just does embody the spirit of the show and is a perfect opening scene for those not familiar with the program. We meet Charlie Crews again - the fine looking detective who eats fruit, takes public transportation in a city built for the automoblie, spouts of zen phrases, but shoots people in his own form of vigilante justice.
If you don't watch - I highly recommend you do. The first season is on hulu.
I don't know if any of my friends are Life watchers but ...
First of all, the appeal of this show is not the story lines and it will never be the story lines. If I want "ripped from the headlines" story driven cop drama with interchangeable characters I'll watch Law & Order. I watch this show because of Damian Lewis and Sarah Shahi and their respective characters Charlie Crews and Dani Reese. Lewis is an amazing actor and I've been following him for quite awhile, since Band of Brothers and then later the Forsyte Saga and I was thrilled last year when I realized he was going to be on television. I don't know much about Shahi and I don't particularly care beyond the fact that she completely ROCKS the character of Dani Reese.
That said, Charlie Crews is a fascinating character. The opening scene of last night's episode really embodied everything I love about him. It began with a focus on fruit. Crews is always eating fruit. This time, it was a piece of citrus. The focus on fruit was explained in the first season, but I really feel that sometimes it seems to have a deeper meaning for him. Some people have nervous ticks or habits they do when thinking or worrying over something. Charlie Crews eats fruit. Obsessively. But, it holds meaning for him and I can imagine the wheels and cogs of his brain turning over and over as he peels, slices, or bites the fruit. I don't know if it was Lewis or a director or a writer that came up with that particular character trait. No matter who it was - it is brilliant!
The kid stared at him on the subway, noticing the gun. "is that a real gun?"
"Yes."
"Can I touch it?"
"no!"
LOL!
The subway itself is kind of amusing. For those of you who have never had the *pleasure* of experiencing southern California (particularly Los Angeles) during rush hour I have to say this ... even though the 405 can be backed up at 2am - I would still rather take 45 minutes to drive 2 miles on Sepulveda Blvd than take the LA public transportation system. Crews apparently doesn't mind after he wrecked his $100,000+ car. It makes for some great moments though.
"... I was on the subway."
"Los Angles doesn't have a subway."
"yes it does."
And then there was the rest of the conversation with the boy on the subway.
"Have you ever shot anyone."
"Violence against one is violence against many, and violence against many is violence against myself."
Thank you Siddartha. How is that zen thing working out for you there Detective Crews? Not so well, really. Would that have anything to do with your anger issues? Have some more fruit and breathe deep.
"Yeah ... but have you ever shot anyone?" Leave it to the kid to get to the heart of the matter, eh?
"No one ... that didn't deserve it." Oh you tell him badass.
But it really just does embody the spirit of the show and is a perfect opening scene for those not familiar with the program. We meet Charlie Crews again - the fine looking detective who eats fruit, takes public transportation in a city built for the automoblie, spouts of zen phrases, but shoots people in his own form of vigilante justice.
If you don't watch - I highly recommend you do. The first season is on hulu.