I don't usually use show mashups to define a new show, as I find the process a bit reductive. I'm going to break that rule here, however, to describe Amazon Prime's "Jack Ryan" series: It's essentially all the incredible action of "24" combined with the storytelling and character pathos of the early seasons of "Homeland".
For a basic plot summary, "Jack Ryan" focuses on its titular character (played by John Krasinski), who when we meet him is an analyst desk-jockey in the CIA. When Ryan stumbles upon financial transactions indicating a international terrorist threat by the mysterious Suleiman (Ali Suliman), he and supervisor James Greer (Wendell Pierce) must go far afield to track Suleiman down and put the pieces together before it is too late.
The biggest reason I can easily give "Jack Ryan" the full 5/5 star treatment is because show creators Carlton Cuse (LOST, Bates Motel) & Graham Roland (Fringe, Almost Human) are able to seamlessly combine action, plot, and character development in a political drama...not an easy task. "24", for example, had the action/thrills down pat, but the plots and characters were often just pawns to suit the ticking clock. "Homeland", in comparison, absolutely nailed plot/characters but was sometimes "so far up its own ass" (pardon the French) that the action would wane. Here, the balance is perfect in each and every episode.
Only helping matters is that one particular story is ripped straight from the headlines, lending the show immediate social cache. At the same time the main plot is going on, Suleiman's wife Hanin (Dina Shihabi) flees him for America with daughters Sara (Nadia Affolter) and Rama (Arpy Ayvazian) in tow. This is in stark contrast to his son Samir (Karim Zein), who chooses to stay with his father. The ability to tell such a nuanced and emotional story tactfully in light of real-world events is impressive, and adds incredible emotional depth to the show.
The acting is also top-notch, and that begins with Krasinski. "The Office" may have put him on the map in terms of acting, but "Jack Ryan" proves that he can be a legitimate leading man in a drama series. Casual, relaxed, or anywhere in between, Krasinski is pitch-perfect nearly the entire 8 episodes. His chemistry with colleague (and potential romantic partner) Cathy Mueller (Abbie Cornish) is palpable, sweet, and realistic in a modern relationship sense.
As should be obvious at this point, I really only have good things to say about Prime's "Jack Ryan" at this point. I've been looking for a solid political thriller/drama since "Homeland" lost my interest after 3-4 seasons, and I definitively found it here. Amazon renewed it for a second season before the first one even aired, so they know what they have on their hands as well. If you are at all a fan of this fare, or just want to see Krasinski in a new role in general, give this one a long look! Every episode is seemingly better than the one preceding it, building to a finale that literally had me on the edge of my seat.
For a basic plot summary, "Jack Ryan" focuses on its titular character (played by John Krasinski), who when we meet him is an analyst desk-jockey in the CIA. When Ryan stumbles upon financial transactions indicating a international terrorist threat by the mysterious Suleiman (Ali Suliman), he and supervisor James Greer (Wendell Pierce) must go far afield to track Suleiman down and put the pieces together before it is too late.
The biggest reason I can easily give "Jack Ryan" the full 5/5 star treatment is because show creators Carlton Cuse (LOST, Bates Motel) & Graham Roland (Fringe, Almost Human) are able to seamlessly combine action, plot, and character development in a political drama...not an easy task. "24", for example, had the action/thrills down pat, but the plots and characters were often just pawns to suit the ticking clock. "Homeland", in comparison, absolutely nailed plot/characters but was sometimes "so far up its own ass" (pardon the French) that the action would wane. Here, the balance is perfect in each and every episode.
Only helping matters is that one particular story is ripped straight from the headlines, lending the show immediate social cache. At the same time the main plot is going on, Suleiman's wife Hanin (Dina Shihabi) flees him for America with daughters Sara (Nadia Affolter) and Rama (Arpy Ayvazian) in tow. This is in stark contrast to his son Samir (Karim Zein), who chooses to stay with his father. The ability to tell such a nuanced and emotional story tactfully in light of real-world events is impressive, and adds incredible emotional depth to the show.
The acting is also top-notch, and that begins with Krasinski. "The Office" may have put him on the map in terms of acting, but "Jack Ryan" proves that he can be a legitimate leading man in a drama series. Casual, relaxed, or anywhere in between, Krasinski is pitch-perfect nearly the entire 8 episodes. His chemistry with colleague (and potential romantic partner) Cathy Mueller (Abbie Cornish) is palpable, sweet, and realistic in a modern relationship sense.
As should be obvious at this point, I really only have good things to say about Prime's "Jack Ryan" at this point. I've been looking for a solid political thriller/drama since "Homeland" lost my interest after 3-4 seasons, and I definitively found it here. Amazon renewed it for a second season before the first one even aired, so they know what they have on their hands as well. If you are at all a fan of this fare, or just want to see Krasinski in a new role in general, give this one a long look! Every episode is seemingly better than the one preceding it, building to a finale that literally had me on the edge of my seat.
