A trio of new TV thrillers can provide some action and escapism this Thanksgiving

As a seasoned viewer with a discerning eye and a heart full of stories, I must say that this week’s offerings have left me both intrigued and perplexed. The first tale, “The Agency,” transported me to the labyrinthine world of espionage, a realm I’ve dabbled in through countless spy novels and films. However, it seemed as if the creators forgot to include the essential ingredient – suspense!

Just last week, I found myself evaluating two gripping thrillers – “Cross” and “Day of the Jackal” – together in one article. Now, I’m set to review another trio, all sharing that same suspenseful vibe. Looks like this is turning into a pattern! And there are even more exciting reads lined up for you ahead.

Why do thrillers gain so much popularity? They deliver an enticing mix of excitement… even mediocre ones can keep viewers hooked throughout multiple episodes by incorporating mystery elements such as red herrings, shocking plot twists, a dose of action and tension, and a climactic surprise kept secret until the final episode, serving as an intriguing incentive. While the ending may not always meet expectations, it’s the journey that keeps audiences coming back for more.

Achieving everything perfectly is like the series ‘Get Millie Black’, airing at 9 p.m. PT Mondays on HBO, with the first episode now streaming on Max (similar in spirit to the mid-’70s show ‘Get Christie Love!’). The protagonist, played by Tamara Lawrance, is Millie, who was raised in England and became a Scotland Yard detective. Upon learning her mother has passed away, she discovers that her long-lost brother, Orville, thought to be deceased, is still alive, setting the story primarily in the less affluent areas of Kingston, Jamaica.

A year has passed, and now I find myself working for the Kingston Police. My brother Orville, who was once Orville, is now living as my sister Hibiscus (Chyna McQueen), residing among a community of outcasts – gay, transgender individuals hidden away in the labyrinthine storm drain system known as the Gully. “Many would call this a sewer,” Millie says, “but for my sister, it’s home.” The Gully is a real location, and Jamaica is infamous for its intolerance towards the LGBTQ+ community – often referred to as “the most homophobic place on Earth.” Despite this, anti-gay laws remain in effect, forcing Millie’s partner, Curtis (Gershwyn Eustache Jnr), to conceal his true identity.

Similar to many detective novels, one mystery leads to another, keeping readers guessing about where the story is going. Millie’s investigation into missing teenager Janet Fenton (Shernet Swearine) becomes entangled with Luke Holborn (Joe Dempsie), a British detective from London who is also on the trail of Freddie Summerville (Peter John Thwaites), a wealthy British youth. Freddie, according to Luke, must return to England to aid in dismantling a powerful gang, but Millie has her own suspicions about him as well. As these narratives intertwine and different parties vie for position amidst the chaos, there will be multiple murders, assassination attempts, and further violence.

The characters are lifelike, displaying human unpredictability flawlessly. This five-part series seems unique, unlike anything we’ve encountered previously. Crafted by Marlon James, Booker Prize laureate from Jamaica, it carries an authentic feel, reflecting its setting and inhabitants. It maintains a connection to the noir genre — a tropical take on Raymond Chandler’s work.

Titled “The Madness” by Stephen Belber, this old-school conspiracy thriller (streaming on Netflix, airing Thursday) employs a classic Hitchcockian plot device where an ordinary individual gets entangled in a mystery and becomes both a suspect and a fugitive, much like Robert Donat in “The 39 Steps” or Cary Grant in “North by Northwest”. If Hitchcock had the chance to expand his stories into multiple episodes, I believe he would have stuck with a similar length. However, “The Madness” unfolds its tale over eight episodes, which is technically more than necessary. Yet, there are many aspects of it that are worth appreciating.

Colman Domingo portrays Muncie Daniels, a Black CNN commentator and temporary anchor based in Philadelphia, who is confronted by a guest at the start of the series for no longer being active in “the struggle.” He’s criticized for focusing on Harper’s magazine or Ivy league lectures rather than his former non-profit organization that combated racist landlords. This initial scene suggests that Muncie has strayed from his path, as a friend later confirms: “You’ve been following your career, your ambition, and your desires, all while deceiving yourself about it.” There is no hesitation in expressing their opinions regarding Muncie’s shortcomings.

The father, Muncie, who’s hesitant about getting a divorce from Elena, takes his teenage son Demetrius and adult daughter Kallie on a trip to a cabin in the Poconos to escape stress. However, upon arrival, he discovers a gruesome sight – a neighbor’s dismembered body found in a sauna. The trip was supposed to be relaxing, but it turns out to be anything but. After narrowly escaping two masked attackers, Muncie calls the police. Surprisingly, the sauna appears untouched. As time goes on, evidence is planted to make it seem like he’s the culprit.

Domingo spends much of his time appearing worried or hurting, which can be draining, but it’s reassuring to see him momentarily enjoying himself at a backyard barbecue, in a somewhat secure environment. It seems that the situation has a silver lining for his marriage, which is comforting. The atmosphere is further brightened by John Ortiz portraying an FBI agent, Deon Cole playing Muncie’s friend and lawyer, and Stephen McKinley Henderson (who is currently starring in “A Man on the Inside” and is in his 75th season) as a wise, elderly family friend and cigar store owner.

The action sweeps through some colorful locations — a chase in an empty theater, a meeting in a colonial recreation village, reconnaissance at a suburban swingers bar — that would not be out of place in a Hitchcock film, if he’d worked into the age of suburban swingers bars. The plot brings in white supremacists, militant anarchists (“basically Antifa on meth with Uzis”) and a couple of gazillionaires, one played by Bradley Whitford, as the trail leads, as it must, higher and deeper, into the dark heart of capitalist America. (“Maybe this is all a bit bigger than you thought,” someone suggests to Muncie.) Of course, these days, the (real) conspiracies seem to be all out in the open, making “The Madness” feel sort of quaint.

Beginning this Friday on Paramount+ with Showtime (at 9 p.m. PT Sunday), you’ll find “The Agency,” a spin-off from Central Intelligence. Originating from a French series called “Le Bureau” and primarily set in London, it has been tailored for American television by Jez Butterworth, a British playwright who won a Tony, and his brother John-Henry Butterworth, who have previously worked on the screenplays for “Ford v Ferrari,” the James Brown biopic “Get on Up” and “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.” However, compared to these other thrillers, this one is less action-packed.

In the series, Michael Fassbender’s character, who is also known as Martian by his colleagues, returns unexpectedly to the agency’s London station from Ethiopia, where he had been operating undercover for some time. This sudden return requires him to fabricate more deceptions towards his already misled wife, Samia, played by Jodie Turner-Smith. Eventually, Samia joins him in London, and their secret relationship resumes. Is this a mere coincidence?

Previously in London, Martian encounters Naomi (Katherine Waterston), whom he’s known virtually until now, along with his superiors Henry (Jeffrey Wright) and Bosko (Richard Gere). Adjusting isn’t easy. His agency-supplied flat is bugged, and his activities are monitored. The agents tasked with following him provide the series’ sole attempt at humor, appearing rather disheveled.

Dr. Blake, one of the main characters in the series, visits from Langley to assess mental health within the department. While it appears her visit is primarily for Martian’s sake, the truth is that most of these individuals seem troubled, with only a few exceptions like Blake, Naomi, and Owen. These are the people who bring a sense of joy to the group. Martian, on the other hand, can be quite difficult, not just at work but also at home with his daughter Poppy, as well as Samia. Although we acknowledge that he’s skilled at his job and holds some power, it’s questionable if these qualities should excuse his challenging demeanor.

The series exhibits a peculiar trait of both lacking and excess dialogue; characters seldom converse, and when they do, their speech doesn’t always resemble everyday conversation. For instance, Bosko remarks, “There are approximately 170,000 words in the English language. Each year around 2,000 of them become obsolete, slipping into the vast linguistic tub we collectively share. Currently, these words – stoicism, fortitude, duty, honor, sacrifice – are swirling around that open drain.

Out of the 10 episodes initially announced, only three have been released for viewing as of now. At the conclusion of these three, the storyline is just starting to take shape. One can speculate – or at least hope – that the next seven episodes will offer something captivating, but the overabundance of style and underdeveloped characters make it challenging to invest much emotional energy in their outcomes.

Changes could certainly happen. Diverse storylines may eventually intersect. A fugitive double agent is fleeing in Eastern Europe, potentially involving grueling sequences of violence and pain, while a novice agent, Danny (Saura Lightfoot-Leon), is unexpectedly thrown into her debut mission with what appears to be insufficient training.

She’s informed that this task comes with a consequence. It’s not just a simple cost, but a significant one. Are you absolutely certain you’re willing to bear the burden? (The burden being an eternity of solitude.) I wish I could advise otherwise, but there are countless other paths available for you.

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2024-11-28 11:31