[rating=5.00] “Pilot”
Part of HBO’s summer programming, new series The Brink has a long road ahead of it. The premiere, though at times laugh inducing, was missing a certain satire that could carry the series out of the cancellation grey period and into an overpriced HBO box set four years from now. Loosely based on our current state of affairs, The Brink boasts an all-star cast and almost pulled off something other wartime dramas have so far not been able to achieve. Alex (Jack Black) is stationed as a diplomat in Pakistan. Things are starting to get a little sticky outside the walls, but in an effort to remain cheerful during the worst of times, Alex has diplomat driver Rafiq take him to the market to run an errand. Rafiq protests at first, “I’m telling you this is the wrong day for your bullshit.” His concern is met with a scoff and the signature Jack Black smile. We quickly learn that Alex is a bumbling idiot. There’s no reason he should be acting as a diplomat because quite honestly he represents the worst of America. An ex-frat party guy, it turns out his errand is a weed run before a party at the consulate later. While one can’t help but laugh at the ridiculous scenario, the jokes fall flat. 
Alex puts both himself and Rafiq in danger, which at first seems like something his character would be good at until the whole thing becomes contrived. Alex just happens to be the only diplomat not on lock down because of the impending uprising, and the fool-like stance he takes on his world views somehow keeps him from getting killed. Rafiq ends up taking him home to his parents’ house after their car is flipped over by protesting militants. His parents are hilarious and increasingly worried that Alex is CIA. They’re not concerned about getting killed by the army though, just about losing an upcoming book deal with Random House. All of these elements could work, but the whole scenario felt like it was missing something. Enter Walter (Tim Robbins), the over sexed US Secretary who we’re introduced to while he plays “sexy ninja” with a Cambodian call girl. Yes he’s married, but instead of getting the nagging wife type we usually see with politicians we get his nagging assistant. Walter is over the top in a satisfying way, diligently getting his job half assed done while the international state of affairs hangs in the balance. One of his charming quirks is that all of his sexual fantasies seem to involve him getting murdered in one way or another. 
After getting collected by his assistant, Walter heads to the situation room where the President asks for advice. The uprising in the Middle East is coming to a head, and it’s time to start making some decisions. Walter tries to act as the voice of reason, demanding that they look for another option before bombing the crap out of civilian territory. It’s a constant push and pull with the various seated politicians, and just as it seems World War 3 is inevitable Walter pulls his assistant aside and demands a little “hair of the dog” so he can think straight. He’s unapologetically a slimy politician, and some of the best bits in the premiere come from his asides to his secretary. Working for all of these men and women is Zeke or Z Pack (Pablo Schreiber). We’re introduced to the air force pilot as he’s stationed on the Red Sea waiting to be called into action. In his first big moment of the series we learn that he deals prescription drugs to the boys and girls on the ship to keep them awake. It’s important, it’s illegal, and it’s all facilitated by his pushy ex-wife who works at a pharmacy. We get a little social commentary as we’re reminded over and over that though he and his buddies are the ones on the front line, they are getting paid shit. 
While staying with Rafiq’s parents Alex finds out that his uncle treated the general who is leading the coup when he had a psychological break. While everyone sleeps, Alex runs upstairs to pull the file and fax it to the US government in order to get a lighter diplomat post, “This better get me Paris”. He’s soon caught, but not before they receive the first three pages, something that will help Alex remain alive in the long run. The opposing party is run by General Umair Zaman, and when the US president finds out he’s mentally unstable, he gives the order to bomb the city. While Rafiq’s family decide what to do with Alex, the army shows up banging on their door. Z Pack (named so because he’s literally a walking pharmacy) is called to his bird on a secret mission. Nervous and upset about the phone call with his ex-wife he takes a Xanax before he and his partner head out. On his way to the drop point he is able to talk to the president, but swiftly shoves his foot in his mouth as the medication he and his partner took was not Xanax after all. The CGI on the boat scene was offensive. The least they could have done was try and fix it in post-production, or just keep the cameras pointed at the actors rather than a sweeping background. (Taken in conjunction with some of the effects in this season of Game of Thrones, this is apparently becoming an issue for HBO.) The series definitely has potential to stand out as the military comedy of this generation, shining a light on the moments behind the scenes. Though times are tense, it’s still supposed to be funny, and I think the writers forgot that as they built up this pilot episode. We’ve got this cheesy infrastructure minus actual humor. From what we’ve learned so far it looks like they’ll have to rely on Alex to be the eyes on the ground, Walter to be the voice of reason, and Z Pack to not blow shit up willy-nilly as the US navigates a potential humanity ending war. Pack it in folks, we’re all fucked.
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