There was a kernel of a good idea in tonight's episode. Chance and crew get a client (who's not anybody they know!) who's just been the target of an assassination. And it turns out it's his wife who's trying to assassinate him! It's not the most original idea, but it does allow for the show to give us a simple, clean cut hour in which Chance just has to beat down an assassin – an assassin who is just as skilled as he is.
At least, that's where the show was going, before it fucked it all up by giving us the “she's really in love with Bob” twist. Now, I understand how this could happen in real life, but in a TV show, it kind of undercuts the momentum we has going. What are we supposed to make of the scene in the farmer's market? What kind of plan kind Angie/Natalie actually have?
But the bigger problem was that the twist seemed to amp up everything in the periphery, so that tonight's hour took on a message, and a cheesy one at that: “Trust in love.” HT is not a “message” kind of show, and it shouldn't try to be, if tonight's episode was any indication; everything here came off as clunky and obvious.
Like, Winston, for example. I get that he would be bitter about marriage after he got divorced. He's the kind of big softy on the inside who reacts angrily when hurt. But tonight, as the show kept ramping the snark he was slinging, it quickly went from a character trait to just plain cynical and mean.
Or like the Ames plot. While I like that her role was limited here (and they actually showed her as competent during the break in at the Russian's hideout), the fact that she had such a pointless, dumb subplot still made her presence grating. Why would she get married on a whim? I get that Ames hasn't really been defined, and when characters aren't defined yet, this allows shows to explore their personalities. But to do so with such a jarring move rings as a false note, to say nothing of the fact that this plotline was created so everything could link thematically.
And finally, there's Ilsa. Again, I was happy that her role was minimized. And while I can see how this reveal with her husband could be entertaining (say, two episodes from now, when it takes center stage), right now it was kind of a bore. This is due to a) it being buried by a show that perhaps had too much going on already, b) being part of this awkwardly forced Chance/Ilsa romantic pairing the show for some reason keeps pursuing, and c) the fact that it of course had to relate back to the hour's message/theme.
Somewhere, buried deep inside this episode, was the Human Target I used to enjoy. I want that show back, please.
What did everybody else think?
Additional Thoughts:
At least, that's where the show was going, before it fucked it all up by giving us the “she's really in love with Bob” twist. Now, I understand how this could happen in real life, but in a TV show, it kind of undercuts the momentum we has going. What are we supposed to make of the scene in the farmer's market? What kind of plan kind Angie/Natalie actually have?
But the bigger problem was that the twist seemed to amp up everything in the periphery, so that tonight's hour took on a message, and a cheesy one at that: “Trust in love.” HT is not a “message” kind of show, and it shouldn't try to be, if tonight's episode was any indication; everything here came off as clunky and obvious.
Like, Winston, for example. I get that he would be bitter about marriage after he got divorced. He's the kind of big softy on the inside who reacts angrily when hurt. But tonight, as the show kept ramping the snark he was slinging, it quickly went from a character trait to just plain cynical and mean.
Or like the Ames plot. While I like that her role was limited here (and they actually showed her as competent during the break in at the Russian's hideout), the fact that she had such a pointless, dumb subplot still made her presence grating. Why would she get married on a whim? I get that Ames hasn't really been defined, and when characters aren't defined yet, this allows shows to explore their personalities. But to do so with such a jarring move rings as a false note, to say nothing of the fact that this plotline was created so everything could link thematically.
And finally, there's Ilsa. Again, I was happy that her role was minimized. And while I can see how this reveal with her husband could be entertaining (say, two episodes from now, when it takes center stage), right now it was kind of a bore. This is due to a) it being buried by a show that perhaps had too much going on already, b) being part of this awkwardly forced Chance/Ilsa romantic pairing the show for some reason keeps pursuing, and c) the fact that it of course had to relate back to the hour's message/theme.
Somewhere, buried deep inside this episode, was the Human Target I used to enjoy. I want that show back, please.
What did everybody else think?
Additional Thoughts:
Unfortunately, it's looking like this is all the Human Target we're going to get, and thus the show won't get the chance to redeem itself. There are only two episode's left (next week's is being touted as the 'season finale') and given that the numbers have only diminished this season, it's unlikely we'll see a third. Fox should just change their motto to "We destroy good shows."
“Allow me to say it has nothing to do with your gang affiliation.”
“You repelling off of a 40-story building is...not a good idea.” (Actually, I just generally enjoyed Winston's glee at the thought of getting to repel.)
A hairdryer with a gun hidden inside. An accessory no girl should be without.
“Allow me to say it has nothing to do with your gang affiliation.”
“You repelling off of a 40-story building is...not a good idea.” (Actually, I just generally enjoyed Winston's glee at the thought of getting to repel.)
A hairdryer with a gun hidden inside. An accessory no girl should be without.
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