The commonality between the shows on the recommendation list this time is that they both give us insight into the lives, stories and activities of men and women who have been tasked with protecting the worlds that they live in from imminent danger. While one is the story of events that could be unfolding on our streets, the other chooses to focus on threats that we seldom find out about. Global conspiracies and silent battles are not loud enough for us to hear, and yet they echo in our day-to-day lives.
The Terminal List: Dark Wolf
The story this time is based primarily on the origins of Ben Edwards, portrayed brilliantly by Taylor Kitsch. The sheer scale and magnitude of the show is to be marvelled at — a globetrotting espionage action/thriller that shifts gears conveniently and comfortably to ensure it hits all the right notes. It serves up the grand action set pieces that are expected from it without compromising on substance. The story, though predictable at times, remains engaging throughout the show's runtime and gives viewers more than enough quiet time with its central characters to establish motivations and room for empathy. In fact, it also shakes up the viewer at times with emotional upheaval that makes the ending even more satisfying.
Without divulging too much, the story follows Ben Edwards' path into the dark world of espionage and global politics after his unceremonious discharge from the SEALs. He is soon recruited by a mysterious CIA operative and tasked with a mission that could potentially prevent, or trigger, a global conflict. What Edwards could not have accounted for are the surprises around every corner; despite his years of service as an elite operative, this new world that is not as black and white as the one he left behind tests his skills and beliefs every step of the way. It becomes increasingly difficult to tell friends from enemies, nearly impossible to deduce if he is fighting for the right side anymore. Alliances are tested and narratives are overturned and before Edwards can figure things out, he becomes distinctly aware of the consequences of his actions and the carnage he and his team are leaving behind.
Kitsch's own portrayal and the writing go a long way in grounding the protagonist and making him seem just as human as anybody else. Add to that the fact that Dark Wolf is extremely precise when it comes to its depiction of military training and tactics, and we've got a show that does hit a few common tropes of the action genre but never crosses over into cliched territory.
While on the subject, I must also point out that every single member looks the part. While I can’t state this with absolute certainty, it does seem like the entire cast has received extensive gun-training and conflict-training. Tom Hopper as Raife Hastings and Rona-Lee Shimon as Eliza Perash command attention in their respective roles. It is, however, Dar Salim as Mo Farooq who shines the brightest amongst the supporting cast.
In an age where sequels and prequels have mostly become attempts to milk the cow dry and seldom actually live up to the standards of the original, The Terminal List: Dark Wolf is a refreshing change. The first couple of episodes do make it seem like it's going to walk the same path as the original, and to a large extent, it does, but ultimately, it fits into the espionage end of the spectrum rather than the special forces end.
However, it makes this change while still serving up good old pulpy action. More importantly, it has been crafted with the same love and care that went into making the original a success. I should also point out that it is not strictly necessary for you to have watched The Terminal List before binging on Dark Wolf; in fact, narratively speaking, you would be better served watching it after finishing the latest offering.
Platform: Amazon Prime Video
Task
Task is engaging, often deeply disturbing and has immense emotional payoffs. It is that rare show that excels on every front; however, what has constantly been the primary factor behind the show's transcendence has been the writing. Creator Brad Ingelsby has led us towards an extremely potent catharsis.
What has been particularly brilliant is how both Ingelsby and co-writer David Obzud have invested a lot of time in world-building and in establishing the characters as very relatable, everyday people in extraordinary circumstances. Fair to say that their efforts would not have amounted to much had the actors not excelled individually and collectively, but more on that later.
As viewers, we often get disconnected from the characters we are seeing when we fail to relate to them. On the other hand, if we are pushed to question our own moralities and our empathy through our connections to the characters, they become etched in our memories. That is exactly what Task manages to do. It gives us a hero who is broken, an anti-hero whom we are tempted to root for despite his defiance of the law and a villain who is unpredictable, menacing and inspires fear, yet we cannot dismiss his motivations outright.
Personally, the most fascinating aspect of the show is Mark Ruffalo's portrayal of FBI agent Tom Brandis. To be fair to the writers, Ruffalo has been handed material that is exceptionally well written. Brandis first found his calling in God, working with the FBI as a priest tasked with consoling victims of mass casualty events and their families. Love made him give up priesthood; he traded the collar for the badge in order to marry the woman he loved and start a family. That was before tragedy struck, pulling his family apart and killing whatever faith he had left.
Brandis started living as a broken man, holding onto his association with the bureau as not much more than an excuse to wake up every morning. Life changes gears suddenly when the investigation of a series of violent home invasions is assigned to him, along with instructions to form a task force.
This puts him on collision course with Robbie Prendergrast (Tom Pelphrey) — a blue-collar worker, doting father and loving brother who is the mastermind behind these home invasions. While Robbie's motivations seem simple and boringly money-oriented at first, we soon learn that his agenda is much more complicated than our initial assumptions. Pelphrey is exceptional as Robbie. He is trusted with the most complex character on the show by far, and Pelphrey further elevates the already potent material he is handed.
Every single actor in the primary cast is worth talking about. However, the show's trump cards are Silvia Dionicio and Emilia Jones. It would be unfair not to also mention Jamie McShane and Raul Castillo for their performances. As for the technical departments, cinematographers Alex Disenhof and Elie Smolkin bring an immersive quality to the narrative that makes the world come alive. The cold tone of the show is not just a stylistic choice but rather adds to the storytelling when combined with the brief respites provided by the flashbacks that depict a time before all hell broke loose. Dan Deacon's OST never comes on too strong and accentuates the performances rather than attempting to overpower them.
All in all, directors Jeremiah Zagar and Salli Richardson-Whitfield have managed to craft a show that truly deserves the “must-watch” tag. While the comparisons to other shows of the genre are inevitable, Task truly does a spectacular job at holding its own and rooting itself before finally pushing the bar higher.
Platform: JioHotstar
