I debated making a new thread about this show, but I decided that, since the current season is already a few episodes in, and the first season isn't on Netflix or readily available anywhere else, I would just post about it in here.
Strike Back, airing on Cinemax in the US, and in the UK, Sky.
Season 1
The first season was broadcast in the UK and consisted of 6 episodes, airing in two hour blocks. Each two hour block consisted of a stand alone arc, as well as adding to the overall conspiracy of the season.
Richard Armitage stars as the season's protagonist, John Porter, with Andrew Lincoln playing the character of Hugh Collinson. The series is filmed in and around South Africa.
The story, in a nutshell:
John Porter is a former SAS agent, and Hugh Collinson is an officer in MI6's Section 20. Years ago they both participated in a botched operation in Iraq which resulted in the deaths of several of their fellow soldiers. John gets blamed and is discharged, but, several years later, he's called back into service to help out Section 20 with several dangerous missions. The first two episodes deal with a mission in Iraq, the next two are in Zimbabwe, and the final two are in Afghanistan.
My impressions:
It's a super fun action series, with a likable main and secondary cast. Tonally, some have said it's '24' meets 'Call of Duty'. I suppose that's fairly accurate, but it seems like it's a disservice to say that somehow.
Each episode is basically a 40 minute action movie with filled lots of graphic violence, macho millitary dialog, and explosions. The stories are your pretty typical millitary/terrorist fare, with the main character intentionally getting into extremely dangerous situations, coming within inches of inescapable death, only to inexplicably get out of it every time. (Or does he? Dun dun dun!)
Richard Armitage is quite good in it, I think, although it's nothing Oscar (or Emmy) worthy. Andrew Lincoln is OK, with the rest of the cast ranging from likable to serviceable. No one is especially terrible...except for maybe John's daughter, although she's a very minor character. Thankfully.
Each arc is enjoyable, with the second being the best, in my opinion. You definitely don't want to wait too long in between each episode.
The villains are all very villainous, and they don't play around like your typical movie/tv villains. They're dangerous, and they won't hesitate to kill even children.
Season 2, also subtitled "Project Dawn" in the UK.
This is the show currently airing on Cinemax in America. It's technically the second season, but it features all new characters and storylines, so watching the first season isn't necessary. Although, there is a spoiler for the first season in the first episode of season two.
It's being co-financed by Cinemax and Sky, so in that respect, it's similar to the deal the BBC made with Starz on 'Torchwood'. Except Strike Back didn't turn into shit, like Torchwood supposedly did.
It stars Phillip Winchester and Sullivan Stapleton as Michael Stonebridge and Damien Scott, respectively. It's also filmed primarily in South Africa, as well as Europe.
The story, in a nutshell:
The story follows Stonebridge (a member of Section 20) and Scott (a former US Delta Force operative) as they track down a terrorist named Latif, who is planning something called "Project Dawn". Three episodes (of ten) have aired so far, so it's a little early to say, but season two seems to be following in the two episode arc pattern of the first season, with the first two episodes having a pretty self contained mini arc, as well as serving to introduce a season long conspiracy.
My impressions for season two are pretty much the same as with the first season. Lots of fun action, explosions, etc. However, because there are two main characters, both men, one British and one American, you get a lot of macho banter that's pretty crisp and amusing. The two guys have great chemistry together, although their relationship, at least at this point, is fairly typical in that they don't really like each other at first.
And because it's on Cinemax, the sex and nudity is ratcheted up a ton. There is A LOT of it, especially in the first episode. It does, however, fit in with the violence and gore nicely.
Overall, the individual ingredients are nothing special, but I think the show is definitely greater than the sum of its parts. It's extremely enjoyable to watch, and I'm surprised more people aren't watching. It's an action packed show, with lots of nudity (in the second season), macho banter, and perilous situations galore. If you don't go in expecting Mad Men, I think a lot of people here would like it a ton.
