[rating=6.00] “Swim, Shmuley, Swim”
“It may seem like three in the afternoon, but it’s five minutes until midnight.” Words that couldn’t be truer coming from Walter’s last hope at staving off the airstrikes that could begin World War three. This week’s episode was surprisingly not terrible, it seems the less they include Jack Black over acting, the more likely it is that the series can stand.
At this point we’re literally on the “brink” of annihilation. What’s interesting is that even though the stakes are high, you never really feel any of tension on screen. I’m not sure if that’s a good or bad thing, but I want to say it’s predominantly because of Walter. Walter has the ability to smooth over the toughest of situations with his moxie and bright smile. Again, he’s carrying the series. This week things came back to bite him in the ass after placing his trust in a man whose only interest in politics are the jokes he and his dictator brother make about the Americans. Walter was so certain he had everything under control, and quite honestly by the season finale he’ll probably regain power over the situation because he’s just that good.
In the trenches and starring down the barrel of a gun, Zeke suddenly grows and pair and overcomes his potential captors. It’s a nice moment where we can finally see the soldier character show runners were obviously shooting for, but were failing with miserably because of the crappy CGI effects used in the air and on the boat. Maybe that’s the ticket, no CGI, no Jack Black. By having them crash into enemy territory, it opens up the story for more effective scenes and situations. Zeke was likable this episode, and by the time they’ve passed out from dehydration and starvation only to wake up in a “too good to be true” oasis, it becomes apparent that he’s growing into his character and having an arc rather than acting as the static everyman he initially portrayed.
The side characters this week were fairly entertaining. The yet to be named art thieves holding Zeke at their extravagant home in the middle of nowhere were over the top, but not in a way that really took from their humor. Maybe it’s the British accents, maybe it was actor’s timing, but their whole banter was both memorable and effective. In addition the Israeli ambassador was fairly interesting. Rather than having an imposing attitude, he’s presented to us as this smiling warm man wearing a speedo. It’s a bit ridiculous, but it adds to the moment. This set of characters is a reminder that everything about what goes in to war is called on by big wigs sitting at the top. The only things they really have to worry about are the repercussions that could potentially get them usurped from their thrones.
Brink finally seems to be settling into the satirical commentary it was meant to be in the first place. One of the strangest, but thought out moments of the episode was the moment where Ambassador Kittredge is introduced to the girls that Alex and co brought to the embassy for temporary asylum. He counts them, and by the time he reaches the last girl and she spurts out, “Seven!” with a smile, you realize that he’s convinced the world is about to end. It’s great, because he represents the politicians in America who really think and act in such a ridiculous manner. The “seven horsemen” are no more than school girls who have been displaced by war. However the religiously motivated Kittredge will now base his decisions and actions around his belief that the world will soon come to an end. Ultimately this will probably prove to be useful for Alex and Walter, but since Walter no longer has bargaining chips it’s up in the air as to how they’ll be able to capitalize on the Ambassador’s weakened constitution.
This week gave me hope for the overall message and effectiveness of the show. If it can keep the course I think there could be a hilarious and topical resolution that will solve a lot of the problems I’ve had with the series in the first place. Next week promises more fleshed out versions of this week’s set ups with the art thieves and Walter’s repercussions for disobeying the President’s orders. Untapped material, finally.
