The Old Man - Jeff Bridges & John Lithgow at the top of their spy game... Watch that shit.

[Internet War Criminal]

Jeff Bridges plays a spook who disappeared decades ago and has been living as a civilian since then. John Lithgow is Assistant Director of the FBI. What happened during their black op in Afghanistan in 1987 comes back to haunt both men decades later.

I'm not gonna say more, because I don't want to spoil any of that shit. It's only 7 episodes, it has been renewed for a second season that will wrap up the story, and it's genuinely the best tv show I've seen this year. Plenty of twists, some easy to see coming, others genuinely surprising, and no one is safe.

A shit ton of violence, a shit ton of great acting, and a shit ton of absolutely wonderful cinematography.


Watch that shit.

 

[Gimmick Account]

I know everybody is waiting to hear what I think.

Well, I've seen 2 episodes and it's pretty great thus far. So feel free to enjoy it.

But let's give a big hand to IWC anyway for making the OP.

 

[BrunoMattei]

I heard about this. It looks very good. I was going to wait until all the episodes are out to either binge or have a watch party.

 

[Internet War Criminal]

I heard about this. It looks very good. I was going to wait until all the episodes are out to either binge or have a watch party.

The finale just came out, so feel free to binge/have a watch party.

I'd suggest you cut the party/binge in two, it's the kind of show you want to savor.

 

[LazloChalos]

I enjoyed it so far, I really liked how they handled the age thing when it came to combat.

It almost wants to get preachy at points, but tends to get back on track quickly enough.

Lithgow's range is amazing even after all this time.

 

[Internet War Criminal]

I enjoyed it so far, I really liked how they handled the age thing when it came to combat.

Yeah it's fantastic. You understand that Bridges used to be the best... but it's also been like 35 years and dis nigga old. He definitely kept working out and honing his skills, but if he squares off with a guy 30 years younger without the element of surprise, there's only so much he can do. (not spoiling any specific plot points)

It almost wants to get preachy at points, but tends to get back on track quickly enough.

Does it? I don't think I ever even noticed it. I noticed that there wasn't anything political, which was great.

Lithgow's range is amazing even after all this time.

Yeah, as much as Jeff Brides is the star of the show, Lithgow is fucking fantastic.

Honestly, the both of them deserve to win the Emmy for best main and supporting character.

 

[Iron Jaguar]

The Dude...abides?

 

[White Devil]

Just finished the first episode. Holy shit.

 

[Stoneheart]

how can this be bad? is there any bad media with bridges?

 

[Internet War Criminal]

Just finished the first episode. Holy shit.

Best TV show of the year.

 

[BrunoMattei]

how can this be bad? is there any bad media with bridges?

Heaven's Gate.

 

[Internet War Criminal]

Heaven's Gate.

For a second I went 'Wait I thought they poisoned themselves not jumped to their death'

 

[White Devil]

I gotta say, after the first two episodes, this series falls off rapidly. They just couldn't sustain the momentum like Terminal List was able to. The twists, if you can call them that were all highly predictable except for the very last one because it's insultingly improbable. The actual ending of the season itself sucked, not because it was a cliffhanger but because of how abruptly it was done. Jeff Bridges and John Lithgow are a joy in everything they do but not even they could save this. Alia Shawkat was also fucking great, I don't think I've seen her act better in anything else. I get that they probably cast her for her Iranian heritage but she doesn't look Arab at all, not even a little bit which is part of what makes the last reveal so stupid and insulting.

Overall it hurts how much potential this show squandered because the first two episodes really were amazing. I don't see how season 2 can be better given where the story went by the end of 1.

 

[K-Hole]

I gotta say, after the first two episodes, this series falls off rapidly. They just couldn't sustain the momentum like Terminal List was able to. The twists, if you can call them that were all highly predictable except for the very last one because it's insultingly improbable. The actual ending of the season itself sucked, not because it was a cliffhanger but because of how abruptly it was done. Jeff Bridges and John Lithgow are a joy in everything they do but not even they could save this. Alia Shawkat was also fucking great, I don't think I've seen her act better in anything else. I get that they probably cast her for her Iranian heritage but she doesn't look Arab at all, not even a little bit which is part of what makes the last reveal so stupid and insulting.

Overall it hurts how much potential this show squandered because the first two episodes really were amazing. I don't see how season 2 can be better given where the story went by the end of 1.

I kind of agree. I was with them up until the third episode, but that's where it trailed for me. A wasted opportunity for sure. The writing is good, but it's jumbled. You get the basic premise of the plot pretty quickly even though it's not spelt out for you. But after one too many WTF moments it just leads to no real resolution. I got confused half way through all these episodes. Then again, I'm dumb so it's probably just me.

I also don't see how they can salvage this in season 2. I hope they do. It's still enjoyable to watch and I will keep up, but there are just too many tangents that lead to dead ends.

I wish the episodes were longer. I wish they took that extra time to hold me by the hand and explain things a little better. It's still worth watching though, in a world where just about every single fucking thing being made today is totally unwatchable.

 

[Internet War Criminal]

The twists, if you can call them that were all highly predictable except for the very last one because it's insultingly improbable.

I wish the episodes were longer. I wish they took that extra time to hold me by the hand and explain things a little better.

And yet, that specific twist is actually hinted at really early. At some point in one of the earlier episodes, could be either the second or third episode, if not the first one, where in an Afghanistan flashback, they are in the warlord's home and in the background you can see his wife holding a little girl, and then handing her off to some other woman and she gets involved in the conversation.

Immediately it clicked and I went 'Holy shit, they left with his little girl and they raised her thinking that she's Dan's daughter! I'm surprised no one else saw it coming in all of the other discussions I've seen of the show. It definitely gave me a different experience/vibe when you understand the villain's reason to be pissed off.

 

[Jonah Hill poster]

More proof that due to the success of The Americans, more Americans in current day still love action and spy thrills.

These old men like Jeff Bridges and John Lithgow still have their acting chops on lock. Nice series so far.