Man in Full-A festival of Americanisms

I have so much respect for scripture writers as well as those who are in charge of selecting the cast. This is the first time I have watched a series twice and I can tell you i have no regrets. 

The aging and stubborn protagonist shrewd in business and devoid of any sought if emotion. Bent on letting the whole world know that it depends on him…but sensitive enough not to spare any resources in rescuing one of his subordinates. In his orbit are a few African Americans…yes the story does not stop short of letting you know that you are in the southern states. There is the lawyer who is at the top of the so called food chain. He is relatively set in life but dying to stretch his wings and fly. Then there is the professional driver. He does his job well and knows his boss. He is respectful and knows the ins and outs of the business. His job is simple get him to and fro and fill in the blanks where necessary. Then there is his secretary’s husband faithful, loyal and hardworking but also stuck in that dreary nine to five. As fate will have it he will meet the law in the south in quite a confrontational way and the same forces he does not trust will clash. Then there is peepgrass…what a name (Tom Pelphrey) ! He comes complete with large spectacles, Wig-like hairdo and a frustrated face that just wants a break. While the boss seems to like him and has even adopted an affectionate name for him, he is discontent and keen to rise from his position of eternal servitude.

Then there is the wife…used to be bride (played by Diane Lane who looks so much like Jennifer Lopez) who has parted ways with the protagonist but who may end up being his salvation. Lucy Lui plays the role of faithful friend (Joyce) whose life seems to have taken her to the heights of the fashion and modeling world face plastered across a few posters in the city urging the masses to buy buy buy. Her role is simple to keep encouraging the former wife to keep her head high and to realize that her former beau is nothing without her. All this while she negotiates the rough journey of aging and keeping up with the young ones slim and trim and ready to please. She is introduced to us in a gym taking instructions from a typical instructor attitude rich barking commands to a host of young ladies Mrs. former somebody in tow. 

Peepgrass the disgruntled employee will prove invaluable in this tale as he interacts with the enemy feeding them morsels of truth about their foe. Then there is the accountant who comes with an agenda. Pants held high by struggling suspenders yet needing nothing to support his ambition and determination to bring the protagonist down. 

The rich cast of lawyers, board members and side kicks (one of whom in an act of desperation forgets his place in the totem pole) make for a rich tapestry of characters that will keep you longing for more. The dialogue between peepgrass and his Finnish lady is rich in rolling on the ground humor and the choice of actress is beyond amazing. 

Task- Snickerdoodle@yahoo.com and emotional Eater

If there is any show that helped lend credence and meaning to the value of the struggle against injustice and the interconnectedness of everything including the possibility of rot in our justice systems, Prison Break is it. How one brother examines the state of things and determines he must be incarcerated to rescue his brother and how season after season those who have known themselves to be on the right side of the law must bend the same to redeem themselves and how others both innocent and not so innocent struggle to make the best of their lives outside the system. 

I have a feeling at least as far as this first showing has gone, Task also is dealing with the same challenges. 

An aged agent Tom Brandis formerly a priest finds himself at the helm of a rag tag group of recruits trying to solve a spate random looking robberies in a small town. That is not enough though, he must also confront a few challenges on the home front regarding his fractured or splitting family. He does this while at the same time struggling with the almighty bottle. 

Then there is the unimposing garbage man who uses his job as an opportunity to stake out who is doing what in the neighborhood so that he can fuel his need for cash and a better life for his family. Is he in over his head is the questions we will find ourselves asking as he deals with biker gangs with their no uncompromising hierarchical manic devotion to their cause. Add in a few crooked cops and a history of coverups and you have yourself some interesting entertainment. There are questions about loyalty, trust, brotherhood, friendship, hate, betrayal and hope with additional gems of wisdom about life and the preservations of memory. The story reeks of an Eastern Aesthetic though with much too much death and tragedy for a western audience used to happily ever afters.  

I love the the way the members of the task force and introduced hence the title of the post, with the quirky love seeking and messy snickerdoodle Lizzy Stover and the strict and to the point (sharp shooter) always on point Aleah Clinton as well as the loyal Anthony Grasso.