Terriers

[niko]

Been having a bit of a Jonah month that's stopped me from following online-stuff much, but needed to pop in here and do a quick pimp for FX's new show, Terriers.  It's one of those shows that's so good it makes me ache until I vent a bit of love somewhere.   (Of course, it's also been getting horrific ratings, so it's a bittersweet sort of ache, but I'm gonna enjoy it while I can. )

In various pre-airing interviews, references came up a lot to Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid... and while this show isn't a western, they definitely learned their lessons in how to create a wonderful partnership between the two main characters.

 

Hank is an ex-cop and recovering alcoholic who lost his wife, his job, and his home because of the booze.  He's gotten sober, but doesn't seem to have much morale left to climb the rest of the way out of the hole he dug himself.  He makes a (rather shabby) living working as an unlicensed P.I., taking whatever jobs come his way... he's not too picky.  He still carries a torch for his ex-wife (though she's engaged to marry another man) and has a brilliant-but-manic-depressive sister to deal with to boot.
 

Britt is Hank's P.I. partner - a one-time thief who's cleaned up his act thanks to the love of a good woman, but still puts his unique skillset to good use in the P.I. biz, as Hank's not shy about breaking laws to get a job done.  Britt and his girlfriend Katie are clearly mad about each other (to the point that she's talking "baby"), and she's a freaking amazing character in her own right, taking Britt's joined-at-the-hip friendship with Hank in stride, giving in gracefully when Britt counters her "baby" suggestion with the "gateway responsibility" of buying a dog, and chipping in when needed, even when it could get her charged as an accessory to some dubiously legal activity.
 
Katie's awesomeness aside, the heart of the show is old-school buddyship at its best mixed with a somewhat more modern, three-dimensional storytelling approach.  Hank and Britt are two men who clearly mean the world to each other, and their conversations are filled with a low-key mix of self-deprecating nonsequiturs, witty banter, playful teasing, and occasional anger that lasts about ten seconds.  The actors are apparently good friends in real life, and it shows in the character's chemistry.  There's this twinkle in the eye, or a flash of boyish grin at landing some zinger, the way they move in each other's orbit...  that whole nonverbal shorthand that tells us that these guys are clicking on the same wavelength that is a joy to watch. 

So, they've got the witty banter down pat... but even better: in more serious moments, Hank and Britt are written as secure men who aren't ashamed to rely on each other or show emotion.  Not that this is a shmoop-fest, but there are times where Hank plays something of a mentor role for the younger Britt, or Britt chimes in with concern when Hank looks set on some self-destructive behavior.  It's all on a very "real men" sort of level, but without the sort of uber-macho attitude you get from shows like, say, Supernatural when its in a "no chick flick moments" phase.  (Not that that's a flaw with SPN... just a different sort of show.) 

For example, one small moment that stands out for me:  Hank is going through a dead friend's belongings and is getting a bit emotional.  Britt offers: "Hey, man, you want me to take off for a little while?"  I just freaking *LOVE* that.  No judgement, no embarrassment, no macho bullshit... just a quiet offer to give the guy space to cry like a baby if he needs to.  We're not likely to get cuddles and vows of undying friendship from these guys, but I far prefer this sort small gesture, anyway.  Turns me to absolute goo. 

Urgh... and I'm rambling too long.  Anyway, it's really great pair of actors/characters at the core of the great show, backed up with a quirky, likeable supporting cast, a SoCal setting that's pleasingly grungy compared to the other crime-solving shows set in California that I know of, and a mix of longer-arc and episodic cases that have been really fun so far in some of the unconventional twists and turns to how things play out. 

Here's a vid that's a bit too fast-cutty to be a good standalone intoduction, but gives some glimpses at the body-language and dynamic of the show  (And it's the only vid out there so far, so I'll make do. :) )
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3eVTWpUGIo 

Long story short: Highly recommended.  :)

Comments

[dj-aida.livejournal.com]

Ooh, that sounds like a show I'd love! I hope we'll get to see it on one of the local channels.

How have you been? :) Any new projects in the works?

[nikojen.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it'd be great if it lasts long enough to make it over there. Most big critics seem to love it, too, so I'm *hoping* TPTB give it a little time.

re: projects: I'm actually putting some finishing touches on a podfic of Jojo's "Strange Bedfellows" right now. September was a pretty awful month for me, but I'm gonna try to be more productive for October. :)

[dj-aida.livejournal.com]

I hope so!

I hear ya. It was the same way for me, with the semester starting, book orders, my own exams (I have one on Saturday - eek!) and a bout of bad health, I'm surprised I'm not doing worse.

[nikojen.livejournal.com]

Ugh, sounds like you had a lot more valid reason to be stressed than me. Mine was more just an attack of hormones or something that got me in a blue mood for most of the month. :)

Hope things settle down for you and your test goes well. :)

[dj-aida.livejournal.com]

There ain't no such thing as more valid pain. :) It hurts just as bad when it's a case of the blues, a stressful week or an illness, they're just different types of pain. I used to struggle a lot with placing a lot more value on what someone else was feeling, and I know what feeling blue can mean. I don't feel the need to justify it any more, but it was a long road. I'm just glad you're not so blue any more!

And I can't wait to hear you read "Strange Bedfellows"! I had promised her I'd make her an illustration, but could never work up enough inspiration to do it. And I want to paint it to, in watercolor, and maybe in all it's gory glory! I've been practicing...