Plot: When an officer with the Division of Homeland Safety is murdered in broad daylight, LAPD detective Mark Meachum is recruited to a secret activity power, alongside undercover brokers from all branches of regulation enforcement, to analyze. However the hunt for the killer quickly uncovers a plot way more sinister than anybody might have imagined, kicking off a race in opposition to time to save lots of a metropolis of tens of millions.
Evaluate: There are numerous motion and authorized procedural sequence, starting from Legislation & Order and NCIS to CSI and each different acronym you may consider. These sequence comply with a prescriptive formulation with the nice guys chasing the villain and saving the day, often in an episodic format. Kiefer Sutherland upended that formulation with FOX’s long-running 24, which turned the motion procedural right into a serial narrative that had audiences glued for chapter after weekly chapter. Derek Haas, co-creator of NBC’s Chicago franchise of exhibits, goals to shift expectations of the tried and true police drama sequence, coupled with the action-heavy method of 24, within the new present Countdown. Led by Jensen Ackles and Eric Dane, Countdown is equal elements 24 and The A-Workforce and takes the serial narrative method however performs with what long-form storytelling can do in a thirteen-episode sequence.
Whereas it is probably not essentially the most unique idea, Countdown advantages from taking part in with conference by not specializing in a single lead hero like we had with Jack Bauer, however as an alternative embraces the group dynamic that made The A-Workforce a lot enjoyable to observe within the Nineteen Eighties. Countdown brings collectively a activity power of characters from totally different businesses and backgrounds to confront a menace to Los Angeles that would have long-term implications for all the world. Led by veteran soldier and activity power chief Nathan Blythe (Eric Dane), a ragtag group of outcasts is pulled collectively when the demise of a Homeland Safety agent opens up a conspiracy that should be handled in a restricted period of time. Blythe brings in DEA agent Amber Oliveras (Jessica Camacho) who instantly butts heads with LAPD renegade Mark Meachum (Jensen Ackles). Meachum’s LAPD colleague Lucas Finau (Uli Latukefu) joins the group together with tech skilled Evan Shepherd (Violett Beane) and Keyonte Bell (Elliot Knight). The six make for an awesome group, however they need to first cope with infighting and missing belief for varied causes.
Countdown doesn’t waste any time with the formalities as the primary episode opens with a surprising sequence, and the subsequent factor we all know, the duty power is assembled and investigating. The group will get to know one another whereas out within the area, pairing off in mixtures that present ample alternatives for the ensemble to shine in varied methods. Jensen Ackles is well essentially the most recognizable solid member on this sequence alongside Eric Dane, however the two are given equal display time with the remainder of the solid. Jessica Camacho, finest identified from her roles on Sleepy Hole and The CW’s The Flash, is a powerful steadiness to Ackles’ smartass feedback, whereas Violett Beane, additionally from The CW’s The Flash and Blumhouse’s Drop, defies the cliches of the tech whiz and manages some nice scenes within the area. Uli Latukefu, who starred as college-aged Dwayne Johnson in Younger Rock, has the charisma of the previous WWE star and sufficient presence to have led a sequence like this on his personal. Elliot Knight can be a superb group member, with every character supporting the remainder of the ensemble whereas getting sufficient improvement for his or her backstories throughout the bigger narrative of Countdown.
Countdown struggles with two of essentially the most vital components wanted in a sequence of this scale: the villains and the pacing. Countdown begins sturdy and barely pauses lengthy sufficient for the viewers to catch their breath. Nonetheless, this additionally means exposition takes the type of clunky dialogue delivered throughout motion sequences and tense moments. The villain within the sequence’ first arc can be one of the overused tropes of the style. Any time a Mission: Unattainable or 24 engages a villain with a god complicated or looking for revenge for being mistreated by international powers competing with each other, it turns what is supposed to be an emotionally resonant rationale into one thing now we have seen many instances earlier than. Within the case of Countdown, the extreme and repetitive use of the nice guys foiling the dangerous guys solely to be introduced by one other impediment that results in a cliffhanger earlier than getting resolved within the subsequent episode, after which repeating the identical sample will get previous shortly. Whereas the duty power is populated by entertaining and fascinating characters whom we do get to know and like, they’re caught in a cycle of rote storytelling that they battle to interrupt free from.
Derek Hass scripted all 13 episodes of Countdown‘s first season, ten of which were available for this review. The season is directed by a team that includes Jonathan Brown, Lisa Robinson, Avi Youabian, Chris Grismer, Rashidi Natara Harper, Nina Lopez-Corrado, Tess Malone, and Eric Stoltz. Hass is a workhorse for television series, having written over six hundred hours of television over the last decade, including over two hundred hours each of Chicago Fire, P.D., and Med. Hass has the conventions of procedural series down pat, but has not written anything like Countdown. He makes a concerted effort to upend the expected formula of one season, one mission, but it is done in a way I had not seen coming. Series like this are contingent on the heroes winning by the season finale or a cliffhanger setting up where things will go the following year, but Hass keeps you guessing. When you get to the moment I am alluding to, it will make you wonder where this series could go in seasons to come. The direction makes good use of the California shooting locations and is slightly more intense than Hass’ prior initiatives, because of being on Prime Video, nevertheless it nonetheless feels a bit too acquainted.
Countdown works as a summer time tv sequence with the identical bluster, motion, and curler coaster really feel of a giant display blockbuster. It’s a enjoyable sequence to observe and won’t be mistaken for prime artwork or the kind of marquee programming that makes high ten lists and wins Emmys. Countdown is just not as polished or clever because the sequence that wins the acclaim and trophies, however that doesn’t cease it from being a enjoyable diversion. Due to how enjoyable Jensen Ackles and Eric Dane are and the implausible ensemble round them, this sequence seems like a twenty-first-century tackle The A-Workforce with out the pulpy humor. Countdown is enjoyable, quick, and largely acquainted, however with simply the correct tweaks to maintain you watching from episode to episode.
Countdown premieres with three episodes on June twenty fifth on Prime Video.
Supply:
JoBlo.com
