[rating=5.00] “Baghdad My Ass”
The continued mediocrity of The Brink has really only been saved by Tim Robbin’s character Walter. However, there’s only so far Walter’s antics can get us. After last week’s run in with military boss Raja, Jack Black’s character Alex continues to rely on Black’s signature smirks and grimaces rather than attempt a satirical comedic role.
So far, Alex is only alive because of his Walter connection. After being water boarded by Raja’s men, Alex is more than ready to cooperate. He’d be a terrible CIA agent so I guess it’s a good thing that he’s been rejected by the agency so many times. Alex has no secrets to give, saving the country temporarily. Raja gives Alex his list of demands and sends him on his way, but not before reassuring him he’ll kill him, Rafiq, and Rafiq’s family if he is unsuccessful in his mission to contact Walter.
Back on their Navy ship and very much sober, Zeke and partner are sent to isolation where Zeke is visited by his current problem/baby mama. Now remember, he’s already got one of these on the mainland, she’s his drug supplier. Zeke is not a very complex character, putting on the Z-Pack persona to appease everyone around him. In a moment of disparity, he begs baby mama to flush his supply. This comes after he tries to appeal for “dad” status, and she leaves angry. After sitting and stewing in the shit storm they’ve started, the bumbling pilots are brought before a counsel where it’s made very clear that they were simply following protocol. There’s no reason that they should get in trouble, as the missile they launched was sent out during friendly fire, and landed in the ocean. Idiotic Zeke argues at first, but soon understands and leaves with a shit eating grin.
Now, this should be a point where we discuss the social commentary and corrupt nature of war. It should. Unfortunately, so far the show is about as deep as a shower and it’s hard to argue the ‘made during the satirical black comedy. Sure, Zeke getting away with hitting a Pakistani drone in order to keep the US out of hot water sucks, but so what? There’s nothing to invest in, and as we’re three episodes in it doesn’t seem like we’ll get there. The fictional US is very much like our current state of affairs. But the parallels are neither controversial nor funny. Where does this leave the show? No seriously, I’m asking. What the fuck are we supposed to do with this?
Again, Walter’s storyline keeps things afloat with his little asides and inability to keep on the straight and narrow. Before jumping on a plane to India he stops at home to pack and grab deodorant. Upon arriving home he finds his wife banging the well hung hunk from last week. This doesn’t faze him, and we get another look at the dude’s epic penis (both with a camera flash and a hilariously oversized shadow.) Joanne (Gugino) continues to pester Walter about running for office with the President’s endorsement, to which he answers, “That was like porn star sex.” After unsuccessfully getting the answer she wants, she declares she’s taking the Pentagon job he doesn’t want her to accept on his way out of the house.
Last week I mentioned the short time span the series is taking place. This week’s episode continued that short time span by taking place maybe hours from the previous episode. While this proves cohesive to the storyline it doesn’t leave much room for outside the panels story building. Perhaps that’s what the series is lacking? In their attempts to keep the timing they are missing key character and plot building points that normally occur off screen. There, I’ve fixed your problem HBO. You’re welcome.
Walter continues to be the breakout character during his time on the plane to India. He’s been wasted for hours at this point, in fact I’m not sure he’s ever dried out during his time as secretary. After a quick romp with a cute translator, and enough whiskey to burn out at least three separate livers, Walter passes out. The on board doctor informs him that he has a kidney stone, a prospect that doesn’t faze him until he’s told he may experience erectile dysfunction.
The rest of the episode is a mess of Alex and Rafiq bumbling towards the embassy in an attempt to contact Walter. After some trial and error, they accomplish their goal. Alex relays Raja’s demands with the apparent end game of helping to over throw General Zaman. Tomfoolery and Walter sipping whiskey with a straw while lying on the floor round the episode out, and we’re left with that uncomfortable full/empty feeling one encounters after eating too much Asian fusion at the food court. The last vignette with Zaman and Raja acts as the obligatory fortune cookie to top off the crappy dinner. The two are conspiring against the US, using Alex as a pawn.
The worst part about this satirical failure is that there’s solid lines hidden among the muck. While escorting Alex back to the embassy Rafiq asks about Raja’s torture techniques. “Did he tie your dick to a horse…it’s his specialty.” Then later when Walter is going over Raja’s demands, Alex worries about the amount of money involved in the process to which Walter replies, “We can print that shit.” It’s infuriating because it could be funny! It really could! Damnit. As we stew in the frustration of the attempted social commentary, it’s good to know that HBO is ripe with content; there’s always the chance the series will get pulled.
