McKellan and Caviezel captured for AMC’s remake of The Prisoner
I don’t know how they keep doing it; AMC that is. Not only have they brought us stellar series (Mad Men) after stellar series (Breaking Bad), but now they’ve managed to snag two big-time Hollywood names to join the cast of their remake of one of the smartest shows in television history. What started as rumor, that even we at TV had a hard time believing, is now fact. Both Jim Caviezel and Ian McKellan have been cast in AMC’s remake of The Prisoner. Caviezel is set to fill Patrick McGoohan’s shoes as the titular “Number Six,” while McKellan will step into the role of “Number Two.”
AMC’s The Prisoner is scheduled to be a six-part mini-series. It hasn’t been made clear if those six parts are one hour, two or a combination of both, but either way the original wrapped up in 17 so there’s no reason to think we can’t get a satisfying tale in six installments. With casting of the two principals announced, it’s actually safe to say now that this thing might really get made. AMC is cruising right along with their original programming, and after forty years, I think we’re due a re-imagining of this classic series. And unlike the disastrous The Andromeda Strain at A&E, I have faith that AMC won’t let me down … don’t let me down, AMC!
As a huge fan of The Prisoner and honestly couldn’t think of a better time culturally for a remake. The first series was very much a response to the paranoia of the Cold War and mistrust among Eastern and Western bloc countries. Luckily, so to speak, we’re in just such an era of mistrust and paranoia now with the ongoing “War on Terrorism.” With Homeland Security and the other activities we’ve taken to doing in this country, it’s not too unreasonable to think that a government agent who abruptly resigns with no explanation might be held and interrogated to find out why he quit. And while I can’t speak for the UK, and am not even sure if this new series will be set there as the original was, I’d imagine the tensions and sentiments would be at least similar.
Michael Rapaport joins Prison Break cast
Michael Rapaport is heading back to Fox. The former star of The War At Home has been cast as a regular on Prison Break. Rapaport will play a government agent on the drama’s fourth season. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the character has “an interesting offer” for Michael Scofield and Lincoln Burrows.
Rapaport just finished a guest stint on My Name Is Earl playing, ironically, a prison inmate who helps Earl escape. Season four of Prison Break premieres in September, with production starting in L.A. this month.
Earlier this year, fans were stunned to learn that Sarah Wayne Callies, who played Dr. Sara Tancredi, was returning to the show as a series regular. Callies’ character was presumably beheaded in season three. Will these cast changes breathe new life into the show after a shortened third season? Fox recently ordered a possible 23-episode installment of Prison Break, which should give the writers plenty of room to develop Rapaport’s character and explain the reappearance of Sarah Wayne Callies.
Is Michael Rapaport a welcome addition to the Prison Break cast? Sound off, fans!
Smallville: Sleeper
(S07E17) In a mild diversion from the main story arc of the season, Jimmy Olsen becomes James Bond. At least he’s a James Bond that makes breakfast.
Of all the characters in the show, the ones who have undergone the most growth is Chloe. It makes sense since the character was created specifically for this series (although it was somewhat as a Lois Lane stand-in).
The episode focused mostly on the Jimmy/Chloe relationship and the impact on their lives because of her various efforts for Clark. Clark himself was featured very little. Lana was nowhere to be seen (which made the episode better). Lionel is dead, but I guess John Glover’s name and likeness are still contracted to appear in the credits. Lex appeared a little, but mostly to further his storyline to what will likely be the climax of the season.
It’s amazing that the writers on this show finally realized that actions have consequences. Given Chloe’s ridiculously great computer skills, I’m amazed the government hasn’t tried to get her before now. Although this is the Smallville universe, where the government is well-funded, sexy and is not afraid to show off its, uh, assets. With all the gadgetry, the lady government agent was Bond, Q and Miss Moneypenny all rolled into one.
It makes sense for Chloe to start working for the Isis Foundation. Lex fired Chloe. The Isis Foundation is run by Lana, who is Lex’s ex-wife. Both hate and distrust Lex. In short, it’s a marvelous employment opportunity for her.
This episode did have its share of technobabble, such as “ionic displacement”. It’s also very Smallville to put a government satellite tracking center in the same building as a hipster dance club.
Another interesting Smallville technology-related question: if you’re going to copy files from a computer, why pop up a window saying so? It’s amusing that Lex has a Dell laptop on his desk. Most television computers are Macs. This is obviously indicative of Lex’s evil nature.
I got another one. If you’re going to use a pawn to accomplish your scheme, why give him a bunch of devices to use against you?
At least the writers were consistent with their James Bond homage by throwing in a dance scene in the middle of the action. All that was missing was a gambling scene where Jimmy lost at first then won later.
Classic book placement seems to be a theme of this season. Clark was hiding the Kryptonian artifact in the book “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer”. I’m not sure if that’s supposed to mean anything specific.
The torture scene with Chloe was kind of harsh for a lighter episode. It was a very Abu Ghraib moment. If you want to e-mail Chloe some get-well wishes, the e-mail address for her given on the computer screen during the episode was chloe_sullivan@digitalwave.com. Let me know if you reach her.
It looks like Lex got some sort of Veritas star chart for his effort (admittedly, I thought at first he was getting an empty box). It is kind of a bait-and-switch to show Lex getting to the Fortress in the previews from last week but not show him actually getting there this week.
For all the espionage and intrigue, Jimmy was just worried that Chloe was still carrying a torch for Clark. Given all the weird stuff that happens in Smallville, I just can’t define the relationship between Jimmy and Chloe as “normal.”
Jimmy going to Lex for help in wiping Chloe’s government record is probably going to haunt him in the future. I wonder if the government agent was working for Lex to begin with?
Tonight’s episode was a likable one. It seemed somewhat lighter than the usual Smallville plotlines and was almost comic relief. It’s nice to see both Jimmy and Chloe grow as individuals and in terms of their relationship. Even though next week’s episode revolves around one of the biggest television sci-fi clichés possible (that would be time travel), it should be cute. Judging from the previews, Clark even starts wearing his trademark glasses. That’s assuming the previews show what happens next week and not later.
Jericho: Oversight
(S02E04) Well now things are just getting ridiculous. There must be a way that the residents of Jericho can take a stand against the occupation in their town. Are we to believe that Jake, Eric, Dale and a few others are the only people who have a problem with the new government? Considering how well they were doing on their own, I find it hard to believe they would stand around and be bullied by Ravenwood.
As for Stanley, he talks like he won’t come around until the government literally comes and takes everything he holds dear, including Mimi. With that in mind, I have to say that this review was difficult for me to write considering the way it ended.
I think it’s hilarious how Mimi and her freakish accounting abilities are the only thing that poses a threat to Goetz. I suppose the only person qualified to take down an oppressive government agent acting outside the law is someone who has experience doing the same exact thing, i.e. an IRS agent.
Did I miss the scene where the Hawkins kids went to live somewhere else. I understand that they aren’t very convenient to the story right now, but that’s no reason to give them the Chuck Cunningham.
I’m very curious to find out whether or not John Smith is someone we’ve already met. Could it actually be Mayor Douchebag working from the inside or is it one of Jonah’s men? Either way, I kind of need some closure on this bomb thing. I mean, someone’s got to find it eventually, right?
The only thing better than Hawkins’ plan to make Beck see what he wanted him to see was the reassurance that Beck is smarter than anyone gives him credit for. Now if only he would come around and help expose Valente and the rest of the conspirators.
My favorite scene in the show had to be Heather’s search and destroy mission in Beck’s office. Sprague Grayden’s acting along with the dramatic camera angles made for a very tense part of the show. It makes me wonder why Grayden has been so underused this season.
At the risk of sounding naive, wouldn’t it be easier to expose the conspiracy if Ravenwood and the military were gone? It’s really frustrating watching the entire population of the town turn into mindless sheep when only a few weeks ago they were all banding together to defend themselves from an attack. Jake and the rest need to say “Nuts” to the Cheyenne government, make their own flag and declare themselves a sovereign government.
At the end of the day, it appears the only one with balls enough to do what needed to be done was the helpless little deaf girl. As sad as I am to see Bonnie go, I can’t imagine any character who would make a better martyr.