To my better judgment, I went ahead a watched all the episodes a few weeks ago and kept up on Saturday nights. I know the only people who will read this or care are fans of the show who may leave comments about how stupid I am, but I'll be honest--the majority of the series is terrible.
The beginning few episodes, especially, are almost unbearable. It's like the writers went full-throttle, stomping the gas pedal--on a 1985 Yugo. People yell, scream, act irrationally, and are wholly unlikable the entire time. There is not one cathartic moment to be found. And then Erika comes in, running around and attacking people like a wild animal for a whole episode. I wish she would have done what Kandyse McClure's character did on BSG, shoot herself. But she was there to stay, providing more of that annoying tough girl act.
And there's the plot. Yes, the big mystery behind why everyone is in this town. Basically, the writers floated big words among vague dialogue about the grand plot--essentially nothing worth noting. They're all part of The Program, an organization that likes to screw with people and prove there's no free will while manipulating their circumstances. Why? We're not given one clue. What the Mansfield Institute does or how it got so powerful to be able to put hidden cameras everywhere is never explained. To make matters worse, these facts we do know are learned in the last 4-5 episodes, so most of the episodes have no real purpose other than to create cheap dramatic moments.
The last two episodes, "And Then There Was One" and "Shadows in the Cave," are the best two episodes of the series, but are still pretty bad. They reinforce the stupid dialogue and general vagueness of everything, but also had several awesome moments--both at the end of the episodes. At the end of episode 12, they break out after faking everyone's death, and at the end of the series finale, it seems like they are placed back into towns, except Janet's group is on a ship--as Liam calls it, "Level 2." So Persons Unknown is an RPG? I had to laugh at the ending which makes the show twice as ridiculous as it already was, but was sadistically fun at the same time.
NBC canceled the show a while ago due to the horrendously bad ratings, so there'll be no conclusion to The Program which is actually disappointing. But I'm sure no one will care a month from now when we're trying to figure out what The Event is.
Score: 7.5/10
Showing posts with label Persons Unknown. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Persons Unknown. Show all posts
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Preview of Week 06/06/10 - 06/12/10
Breaking Bad - AMC, Sunday, June 6, 10:00pm ET
Best show on TV (better than Mad Men, SOA--50 times better than Dexter). That's all that needs to be said.
Lie to Me - Fox, Monday, June 7, 8:00pm ET
After a crazy wait, Lie to Me is finally back with new episodes! And the show was renewed, so we don't have to worry about ratings.
The Good Guys - Fox, Monday, June 7, 9:00pm ET
I didn't particularly like the preview episode Fox aired a few weeks back (review), but it could be worth revisiting if you like over the top silliness and a heavy amount of cliches.
Persons Unknown - NBC, Monday, June 7, 10:00pm ET
This new drama from NBC has an interesting premise--random people trapped in a confined area--but it's success hinges on the execution. Given how NBC scheduled it in the summer, I'm guessing it's probably not that great.
United States of Tara - Showtime, Monday, June 7, 10:00pm ET
The one show that has surprised me the most, more than The Good Wife even, has been United States of Tara. It dramatic turn from the first to second season elevated it far above Nurse Jackie and most other premium cable comedies.
Justified - FX, Tuesday, June 8, 10:00pm ET
I'm curious where the season finale will go and the implications on the second season. Depending on exactly how Boyd turns out, there may either be a shootout or cooperation between him and Raylan, which would be storyline for the second season.
Stargate Universe - Syfy, Friday, June 11, 9:00pm ET
I rag on the show a lot for many good reasons, but it's the season finale and one of the only sci-fi shows airing. The last episode ended with a standoff between the Lucian Alliance who have prisoners and the people on the Destiny who could kill the LA by venting the room.
Best show on TV (better than Mad Men, SOA--50 times better than Dexter). That's all that needs to be said.
Lie to Me - Fox, Monday, June 7, 8:00pm ET
After a crazy wait, Lie to Me is finally back with new episodes! And the show was renewed, so we don't have to worry about ratings.
The Good Guys - Fox, Monday, June 7, 9:00pm ET
I didn't particularly like the preview episode Fox aired a few weeks back (review), but it could be worth revisiting if you like over the top silliness and a heavy amount of cliches.
Persons Unknown - NBC, Monday, June 7, 10:00pm ET
This new drama from NBC has an interesting premise--random people trapped in a confined area--but it's success hinges on the execution. Given how NBC scheduled it in the summer, I'm guessing it's probably not that great.
United States of Tara - Showtime, Monday, June 7, 10:00pm ET
The one show that has surprised me the most, more than The Good Wife even, has been United States of Tara. It dramatic turn from the first to second season elevated it far above Nurse Jackie and most other premium cable comedies.
Justified - FX, Tuesday, June 8, 10:00pm ET
I'm curious where the season finale will go and the implications on the second season. Depending on exactly how Boyd turns out, there may either be a shootout or cooperation between him and Raylan, which would be storyline for the second season.
Stargate Universe - Syfy, Friday, June 11, 9:00pm ET
I rag on the show a lot for many good reasons, but it's the season finale and one of the only sci-fi shows airing. The last episode ended with a standoff between the Lucian Alliance who have prisoners and the people on the Destiny who could kill the LA by venting the room.
