USA's Graceland - Episode 2.01 "The Line"
When a cartel puts a hit on Mike, he returns to Graceland for a special undercover mission. He quickly discovers that Briggs and the house have changed since he last saw them. His work in D.C. and his old life in L.A. clash in ways he never expected, especially when the mission takes a surprising, dangerous turn.
In its first season, Graceland was a very competent drama series but it also took itself way too seriously. It was much more interested in the mysteries of its characters than making sure they came off as watchable and entertaining. I like Daniel Sunjata a lot on this show but I just don't see a way his character Paul Briggs will ever be redeemable in my eyes. The show always finds a justification for his actions. But I just want them to admit that Graceland is not the best dark gritty drama series out there. It can have moments of lightheartedness as well.The first season also felt like a complete story arc. Mike came to the house as a rookie and to investigate Briggs. He slowly learns some truths about his training officer but more importantly his undercover work makes a big difference in the region. By season's end, he shoots the guy responsible for making Paul take the drastic and dark turn he did. And then, everyone gets their happy ending. The team at Graceland can continue working out of that home, Paul is not arrested for any of his crimes and Mike heads to D.C. to work as assistant to the Deputy Director. That's a fairly competent ending.
The second season opens by having Mike return to his former environment as quickly as possible. He has established a life in D.C. but not any kind of meaningful roots. He'll always be pulled to that life because that's what he's always pictured doing as an FBI agent. And yet, he had a ton of more fun and made a lot more of difference when he was working at Graceland. Making him miserable in his current position is one surefire way to get him back to sunny California as soon as possible. It's all under the guise of tying up loose ends with the Caza cartel who have a hit out on Mike the marine. But it's mostly not to shake up the status quo of the series.
And yet, I'm fine with that because the show isn't willing to just let Mike's life in D.C. completely disappear. The twist of the premiere comes when the hit out on Mike isn't because of what he did with Bello last season but the case he's working on this season. It feels like the show has actually thought this story out. It keeps the players in D.C. active while sending Mike back to Graceland as his base of operation. But now, he's the man in charge and his team is his fellow roommates - plus the one new guy who's name I didn't care to remember or write down.
It also feels like the show has a clue on what it wants to do with each of its main characters this season. Last year, the show struggled finding itself and the voice of each character. I never thought they really got there with Paige, Johnny or Jakes. They were given stuff to do but I never felt a personal connection on why I should root for them. Paige was just the love interest for Mike. Johnny was the comic relief and Jakes was the odd guy of the house who'd rather be alone. But now, the season is setting them up for success. Johnny's trying to figure out if he wants more out of this job. Jakes is pretty much a new person. Lastly, Paige is a symbol of Mike's connection to Graceland while the new girl he's sleeping with - played by Emily Rose - is his connection to his D.C. life.
And then, there's Paul and Charlie who are once again sleeping together. She sure did get over those concerns that he was working with Odin rather quickly post-trauma. On the surface, it seems like he's trying to live a better live. When the case reaches a dead end, he's not persistent in pursuing it further like the Paul of season one did. It's all a valiant effort to make us understand and sympathize with the character. Like I said before, I don't think I'll ever reach that point. But as long as Mike is the lead of this show, I have a strong enough reason to watch. That and this opener is a pretty decent start for the season.
Some more thoughts:
- "The Line" was written by Jeff Eastin and directed by Russell Lee Fine.
- I kinda love that the house is just having fun when Mike walks in and they don't even notice him at first.
- The chore wheel is only a plot point in the first episode of each season, right?
- How soon until Mike's two love interests meet face to face?
- Being undercover at a tattoo parlor does seem like a very smart idea.
- Yet another completely unnecessary in media res opening. When will the industry realize that's a trick that just doesn't need to be used that much - unless there's a big reason to.
