Tom is perfect for this role, but then he's perfect in every role he plays. This multi-talented actor blends into whatever character he playing. I hope this series has long run.
shareMe too.
The truth is out there.
Trust no one.
Fight the Future!
I think this is going to be a good series. I think that the team of Berenger and O'Meara is great. I am not familiar with O'Meara's work, but so far I really like him. I'm a Tom Berenger fan *and* a big western fan, so I have high hopes that this will be a good project.
Even if Tom Berenger (or Peter O'Meara) were not in this series--damn--it's still so good to see a western on TV again! And it's a GOOD western! I'm really rooting for this show and I'm glad that a "big name" like Tom Berenger is working on it--it'll get more publicity that way!
I like it too but I really wish they'd get the history right. If Berenger's character really was decorated by Grant at Shiloh then what I've seen so far would make him a minimum of 70-years-old. If they use a comparison microscope in tonight's episode that minimum age moves to 80. He's far too studly to be a man that old. Maybe they were originally thinking of casting Jack Elam or James Garner.
shareI agree with the need for adherence to history, but they've gotten this one right. Do the math. Set the show in 1888 (Holmes is reigning in London, and this team is prepared to take the West). Berenger is 54; if Stone is 54 in 1888 then he was born in 1834, making him 27 or 28 at Shiloh (in 1861). The pilot episode script describes the Marshall as being in his 40's; that only drops the age 5 to 10 years, making him 17-22 at Shiloh. All of these are consistent with actual soldiers at the beginning of the war. Do the others. O'Meara is 33 (34 in October); if Finch is 33, then he was born in 1854, and he was 7 years old at the time of Shiloh. If he was 9 when his parents began the trip to China, he would have been in China during the huge flooding in the late 1850's/early 1860's; this experience could explain why he has learned to swim (and in rapids, no less) when most people considered swimming a not-quite-proper activity. Carlson is 34; Katie is listed in the pilot as being in her 20's. Born somewhere in between 1854 and 1860, she would have been born in a time when the shortage of men during and after the war led to expansion of some schooling opportunities for women, including women's medical schools. The writers are doing rather well in terms of broad historical context.
shareLove this new western starring Berenger!
I do wish he was a bit more active in his role though. I mean, he seems to have the "been there, done that" attitude, like he's bored with life or something.
But when he's really interested in something on screen, it shows. He plays the 'older & wiser distinguished gentleman' fine but please throw in some more romance & action.
I intend to continue to tune in. I like the "new inventions" used to solve crimes of that era. (Telephones, forensic medicine, fingerprint dusting, etc.)
THIS western has a twist & a good one!