MovieChat Forums > XIII: The Series (2012) Discussion > How's this for everyone so far?

How's this for everyone so far?

posted 13 years ago by The_Matrixfan
9 replies | jump to latest

Well I gotta say I jumped into this hook, line and sinker. The pilot wasn't that special but I usually look past them because shows generally tend to do from therein after, but that's not the case here.

The story has gotten so convoluted I can't keep track anymore. XIII is out to find his real identity, which is something that at least two shadowy government organizations/people don't want him to do (I still can't figure out why they don't just kill him, or what exactly they're afraid of him discovering). But instead of shedding light on those goals/organizations they're spinning their wheels with episodes like "was I a torturer or a terrorist?"

The aggravating part is they have a great cast but everyone seems so far below their potential.

Stuart Townsend is great at subtlety, so what do we have him do? He's beating the crap out of guys every chance he gets yet doesn't find himself any closer to the truth. Action is important, but a bit of character development/maybe some stealth wouldn't hurt.

Aisha Taylor--She's capable of convincingly portraying a by the book agent forced to make some tough calls, but instead of letting her work with that the writers are complicating her character with this forced "potential love interest" storyline. I think it completley undermines her character and forces the viewer out of any empathy this character otherwise deserves because these two don't have that much chemistry.

Virginie Ledoyen--The shining beacon of this show is practically a cameo. The actress is doing such a great job with continuously putting her best foot forward, but she seems to be shunned in favor of the ever dull Ted and Paulino. If she was the main antagonist I'm sure this series would've been phenomenal.

I'm watching this for Stuart, but it's getting harder to do as bad writing is botching everything up. If this bad trend continues I think that whatever slim chance we had for a season 2 will fade away.

What do you guys think of the series so far?

Fight for the users?... Really Tron, really?

[–] pcmnunes 13 years ago

I'm hoping that things are more clear a few more episodes in. XIII was involved in a very secret black op that involved a very powerful weapon. His old boss - Gerhardt - needs the info that XIII secreted away in the three watches before he lost his memory and is handling Sheridan who wants to be in on whatever it is is that Gerhardt is doing. Sheridan is tapping Giordino's assets to keep track of XIII's quest for the missing pieces while Giordino tires of playing second banana to Wally and would like to connect with Gerhardt directly, all the while keeping his agenda hidden from the president and the Secretary of Defense.

Amos doesn't trust XIII at all and just wants him out of the picture, while Carrington is playing the 'wait and see' game. Irina simply sells her talents to the highest bidder, wanting to remain in the good graces of whoever comes out on top. Jones is just doing her job, torn between her loyalty to the president and her affection for XIII.

Nobody's killing XIII yet because he's the best chance of recovering the big, bad weapon despite his amnesia, which complicates everything, of course.

Make sense?

And by 'dull', where you referring to just Ted, or the both of us? I can assure you that Giordino gets to have a lot more 'fun' in upcoming episodes. Enjoy!

p

[–] The_Matrixfan 13 years ago

Thanks P, that definitley clears up a few cobwebs. Especially between the top players.

I wonder if this weapon is the weapon we all imagine? Because right now it seems like one big Mcguffin since no one has any solid intel on it. But hey, I'll give you guys the benefit of the doubt and see how it all plays out.

Yes, I was referring to both of you . It's just that you guys are stuck talking into phones and looking incessantly pissed off while everyone else is having fun and thus holding our attention. It makes for a lot of dull scenes and it's not fair, both to you guys and to us. But now I'm eager to see if Giordano will unleash more of his torturous side, since your scenes with Ashmore were pretty intense.

Thanks again!

Fight for the users?... Really Tron, really?

[–] pcmnunes 13 years ago

Let's just say that XIII, Jones and Irina aren't the only ones who end up with a body count;)

[–] The_Matrixfan 13 years ago

Let's just say that XIII, Jones and Irina aren't the only ones who end up with a body count;)

You weren't kidding on that count. I caught up this weekend to see Giordino's warpath. Too bad he's out, but man what a way to go. This conspiracy better be something special if that's what it took to play within it.

Great job overall though, you showed us the dark(er) side in the end. Also, I like how the plot is finally picking up and seems to be speeding towards one hell of a conclusion. Can't wait for the finale!

Fight for the users?... Really Tron, really?

[–] TheHeck 13 years ago

Yes, this TV series jumped the shark the moment it aired. Suckitty sucks.

I came, I saw, I laughed, I left.

[–] quantumwav5 13 years ago

Heh!, it's all one man's...

[–] Betanet 12 years ago

I have to agree. I just put myself through the worst marathon (season 1) and I'll never get that time back. Ugh. More than half the characters were completely unbelievable and the writing, atrocious.
I'm usually a glass half-full reviewer, but this one is broken in a gazillion pieces.

[–] leBratPrincess 12 years ago

Like you couldn't have turned it off after the first few - if you hated it that much. Didn't your remote work or something ?

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Come Out Come Out Wherever You Are
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[–] urbaniten 12 years ago

Yeah agree with you. Pilot ep didn't really hook me but will watch the next few to see how it goes.

I'm glad Stuart Townsend got a break cos he's quite compelling to watch - brooding with just a bit of psycho in him.

I dare say he would've made a better Bourne successor than Jeremy Ratner who has no screen presence at all.