34/20
Referenced in Premios Soberano (2024)
Line of Events
CIA operative Joe attempts to balance her personal and professional lives as the tip of the spear in the agency's war on terror.. Real life military advisors helped in producing a more authentic execution of gun handling, house clearing, positioning, squad -based activity, etc… mr. Sheridan knows how to bring us into testosterone-fueled, macho worlds without cliche and, seemingly, without agenda. It is what it is.
No apologies necessary
His characters are always grounded and he’s extremely adept at casting. But to be great you need to write good parts for women. The writing needs to be as good, if not better, than it is for men. Dudes are simple. Women are smarter, more complex.
They’re strong and compelling
Beth on Yellowstone (great character and performance) the barrel riders, the lone female ranch hand (the fantastic Jen Landon as Teeter) all great female characters that fit in the world of the story in a natural, unforced way. Not just 'the partner of…' or T & A. He stepped up his game with the excellent character Faith Hill crushed in "1883" followed by Dame Mirren in the misfire that was "1923". Now we have Zoe Saldana, doing some of the best work of her career. I absolutely buy her as a CIA boss in an open marriage (nice touch).
Veracity first and foremost!
I buy De Oliveira as a broken woman with burning rage that won’t quit and thank you, thank you, thank you writers/Dir./producers for NOT letting her get the best of a fellow male soldier with an additional one- hundred pounds of muscle. I think her character is way more interesting if she is someone who has to be knocked out cold or just overpowered on the ground before she’ll quit. Now let’s talk about Jill Wagner or should I say her hair? What an about face! From schmaltzy Hallmark dreck to super-badass special forces?
I’m buying it
Special mention: Ms. Lanier as the nasty teen daughter. I await the arc laid out for this loose canon as long as they continue to steer clear of teen angst cliche. Good actor, it could get interesting…