Season 01

[Xeliou66]

I do wish they would focus a bit less on technology and a bit more on traditional investigation. 

The show doesn’t have humor but I haven’t found it overly depressing.

[JasmineFlower]

21 hours ago, WendyCR72 said:

My ongoing issue is the bleak nature. No, I didn't expect a laughfest on a show called FBI, but even the Law & Order franchise had moments of levity with its characters, no matter which version.

This is a huge problem with this show, they are missing their Lennie Briscoe. And it doesn't matter that it's the FBI, they can add it if they wanted to. I'm not sure how many here watched The Brave last year on NBC, I wish it had gotten an additional season as it was really very well done. It's about an elite special-ops unit going on various covert assignments around the world when our national interests are at risk. There wasn't one episode that wasn't serious and dire in nature because of the kind of work that it entails, much darker than this really. And yet The Brave was much easier to watch than this because they injected moments of levity and camaraderie between the team members in every single episode. Not only is it necessary, but it also makes you like the characters more, shows a bit of their personality when they joke with each other in that manner. This show is sorely missing that.

[Dowel Jones]

6 hours ago, TimetoShine said:

There was one scene in particular where they were all gathered around the screens and he's yelling but everyone else in the scene was speaking with in-door voices.

And the characters always end their rant with "Let's MOVE, people!"  As if you can speed up the data entry into the computer, or make the mouse go around just a little faster.  Just like the scenes where the police in a shooting match get on the radio and shout "I need backup and an ambulance NOW!", as if that makes a difference.  I hate that trope.

[CheshireCat]

I'm not watching glued to the TV but I think it's a decent enough show. Not sure about Sela Ward though. She seemed to have this faint smile on her face almost each time she said something and I found that distracting as I found myself wondering if it was intentional or not.

Edited October 4, 2018 by CheshireCat

[Waterston Fan]

I liked the episode and I still cannot remember the agent's name who is partnered with Bell. 

I think Sela kinda does have that faint smile, she did that on CSI: NY. 

It is nice to see JS though but he does need to quit his yelling a bit. 

[dargosmydaddy]

23 hours ago, JasmineFlower said:

I'm not sure how many here watched The Brave last year on NBC, I wish it had gotten an additional season as it was really very well done.

I loved The Brave. It was, indeed, very well done, and with great characters.

[Xantar]

On 10/3/2018 at 8:08 PM, JasmineFlower said:

And yet The Brave was much easier to watch than this because they injected moments of levity and camaraderie between the team members in every single episode. Not only is it necessary, but it also makes you like the characters more, shows a bit of their personality when they joke with each other in that manner. This show is sorely missing that.

I loved The Brave and thought it was much better than SEAL Team (so naturally, SEAL Team was renewed while The Brave was cancelled). I especially loved the dynamics between the characters and how they would bust each other's balls over their dating life or how one of them was an unexpectedly good cook.

Are we going to have a multiple-casualty terrorist attack every week? Because that's going to get really tiresome and depressing really fast. The real-life United States doesn't experience nearly that much tragedy (unless you count mass shootings). And to have all of that happening in New York City is just laughable.

Also, what was the wardrobe department thinking putting Missy Peregrym in a t-shirt while everybody else was wearing a business suit? I was expecting to be told that she was in the middle of having drinks when she got called in to the incident, but we never heard anything like that. She just looks extremely unprofessional.

I actually like all of the cast, and I even think Sela Ward is great. However, I don't think I'm going to stick with this one.

[Xeliou66]

I agree that we shouldn’t have major terrorist attacks each week, that would get old and extremely unrealistic, hopefully they will start delving into other types of cases, the FBI can deal with anything really so hopefully we will get more of that soon. Next week looks like a serial killer case, which should be different and interesting.

[JasmineFlower]

9 hours ago, Xantar said:

Also, what was the wardrobe department thinking putting Missy Peregrym in a t-shirt while everybody else was wearing a business suit? I was expecting to be told that she was in the middle of having drinks when she got called in to the incident, but we never heard anything like that. She just looks extremely unprofessional.

A t-shirt and gray skinny jeans. I was completely distracted by it wondering WTH the deal was with her too casual business casual look next to her partner's suit in particular, but really everyone who was in some form of business attire.

[juliet73]

I like Sela Ward so I'm glad she was brought in to replace the other woman from the pilot. 

I don't mind the "darkness" to the show - it adds more realism, IMO.

I think OA is the stand out character in this show. I'll continue to watch just for him. 

[WendyCR72]

Quote

Special Agent Maggie Bell, Special Agent OA Zidan and the team investigate the murders of 18 young women with help from a survivor associated with the deceased.

[tvfanatic13]

Did anyone catch what she was typing at the end?

[Real4real]

4 hours ago, tvfanatic13 said:

Did anyone catch what she was typing at the end?

I was just coming here to ask the same question!  My son walked through the room just then and read it for me:  “Dear Tara, If you ever need to talk, I am here for you.  I want you to know that you are not alone.  You mattered today and you matter always.  Maggie”

Ahh, to have young eyes!

[Waterston Fan]

Come to think of it, I admit, with a dad like Tara has, I don't blame her for what she was doing. I bet her dad was a bully to her as well. 

[WendyCR72]

I had work issues come up, so I am waiting for Amazon to upload the episode. However, based on the lack of activity, I assume this was as bleak as ever.

[Xeliou66]

This was by far the best episode so far. Case was very good, felt much more realistic than the mass casualty terrorism stuff from the first 2 episodes, human trafficking is a major issue that doesn’t get much attention so it was nice to see them focus on that. I liked the case a lot, the investigation flowed nicely and realistically and this was the most interesting plot so far IMO.

I loved seeing Jubal get out in the field and go undercover.

There isn’t much humor, but I don’t find the show to be overly bleak and I like all the characters, they gel very well together, and the dialogue is good.

[threebluestars]

I missed the explanation of why the two Ukrainian sisters were named Haley and Brooke ... so that was weird lol.

[Dowel Jones]

2 hours ago, Xeliou66 said:

There isn’t much humor,

You have to search for it.  The two agents approach the Ukrainian doctor's apartment complex.  Agent Bell:  "What do you bet he's in the wind?" Seconds later, said doctor comes crashing down, through the wind, and into a car. 

Why would the property manager give up the locations of the gang's properties, if she was actually part of the cartel?  Was she looking to clean out the lower level thugs?

[Netfoot]

When the doctor's body hit the car, they new that Snake (or someone) was upstairs in the building.  Why didn't they cover the stairs and call for 500 cops as backup?  Why go root him out themselves?  He might have had an entire cricket team of bad guys with him!  Why not at the very least, call for backup before going after him?

When Snake had Wossname on the floor, choking her, why didn't she poke out one of his eyes?  Or rip off one of his ears?  (I understand they come off quite easily!) Or jam two fingers up his nose into his sinus cavity, and grip his upper jaw from the inside?  (My dad taught me that one.)  I guess she didn't want to fight too hard, because Snake had to get away, or the show would end 22 minutes early?

When he departs in the white vehicle, why not give chase?  Omar might not be able to catch him, but at least he could get close enough for long enough to get the plate number?

[preeya]

37 minutes ago, Netfoot said:

When the doctor's body hit the car, they new that Snake (or someone) was upstairs in the building.  Why didn't they cover the stairs and call for 500 cops as backup?  Why go root him out themselves?  He might have had an entire cricket team of bad guys with him!  Why not at the very least, call for backup before going after him?

When Snake had Wossname on the floor, choking her, why didn't she poke out one of his eyes?  Or rip off one of his ears?  (I understand they come off quite easily!) Or jam two fingers up his nose into his sinus cavity, and grip his upper jaw from the inside?  (My dad taught me that one.)  I guess she didn't want to fight too hard, because Snake had to get away, or the show would end 22 minutes early?

When he departs in the white vehicle, why not give chase?  Omar might not be able to catch him, but at least he could get close enough for long enough to get the plate number?

2

Every FBI show that I have ever watched, they are notorious for letting perps get away in vehicles. This one is no different.

SHOOT OUT THE DAMN TIRES.

[illdoc]

11 hours ago, threebluestars said:

I missed the explanation of why the two Ukrainian sisters were named Haley and Brooke ... so that was weird lol.

In fact, one of the FBI agents said "Haley? Doesn't sound Ukrainian" and was told "her mother was American" (at the time, they only knew of the one girl). Weirder was the fact that I couldn't hear an accent from either girl. Having an American name (with an American mother) is one thing, but if you've been living your entire life in the Ukraine, you'd have an accent!

[threebluestars]

49 minutes ago, illdoc said:

In fact, one of the FBI agents said "Haley? Doesn't sound Ukrainian" and was told "her mother was American" (at the time, they only knew of the one girl). Weirder was the fact that I couldn't hear an accent from either girl. Having an American name (with an American mother) is one thing, but if you've been living your entire life in the Ukraine, you'd have an accent!

I thought that was weird too. And all of the "Ukrainian" girls were saying "the Ukraine" too instead of just "Ukraine" which stood out to me.

[JasmineFlower]

Goodness gracious this show is bleak as all get out. They need a jewelry heist, art museum theft or something light quick. A Bernie Madoff white collar crime scheme would qualify as light at this point. Previews for next week show there is no end to this bleak storytelling on the horizon so I'm not sure, but I might just be bailing on this soon. Like many of us said last week, this isn't a bad show, a good deal of it is very well done, but it is sorely missing even a mild lightness to balance it out a bit. It is dark and very real in a depressing way and not feeling like an escape at all.

[Xeliou66]

Jubal undercover at the motel was by far the funniest moment of the show so far, that was awesome!! I would like a bit more lightness to the show, but I like the focus on the cases and investigations and I like all of the characters and they gel together well so I will definitely keep watching the show. 

[JasmineFlower]

27 minutes ago, Xeliou66 said:

Jubal undercover at the motel was by far the funniest moment of the show so far, that was awesome!! I would like a bit more lightness to the show, but I like the focus on the cases and investigations and I like all of the characters and they gel together well so I will definitely keep watching the show. 

Given the storyline, there was only so much humor to me in that scene, which was not much at all. Those were not willing prostitutes walking into his trap. In another context, I would've been more amused. So had they not graphically told us what the girls had endured when taken and then what they do now to not die and not have their families killed, maybe. But this show has been rather graphic with details, so it cuts down on the possibilities for amusement if you ask me.

[Rae Spellman]

20 hours ago, threebluestars said:

I missed the explanation of why the two Ukrainian sisters were named Haley and Brooke ... so that was weird lol.

Show said their mother was American. A Northern California hippie. 

[Xeliou66]

I just found Jubal’s persona in that scene entertaining, he was quite good in that undercover role, his comment about getting a rebate if it takes him less than an hour made me laugh, I want to see Jubal in the field more. 

I don’t find the show to be nearly as dark as others do, and I thought last nights episode was by far the best so far, the case felt much more realistic and was very compelling, and the characters all gel together very well and are enjoyable to watch. 

[mxc90]

21 hours ago, Dowel Jones said:

You have to search for it.  The two agents approach the Ukrainian doctor's apartment complex.  Agent Bell:  "What do you bet he's in the wind?" Seconds later, said doctor comes crashing down, through the wind, and into a car. 

Why would the property manager give up the locations of the gang's properties, if she was actually part of the cartel?  Was she looking to clean out the lower level thugs?

Another humor: (in the beginning of the episode) the mother has no problem letting her daughter go out in public dressed like that and made the father look like the bad guy for his reaction.

The property manager was arrogant. Her mistake was taking a picture with them.

The FBI agent that yelled "clear" should be punished for missing that guy coming up the stairs.

[12catcrazy]

I enjoyed this episode - and agreed - Jubal needs to be let out of the "boiler room" more often (and WHY does he wear a gun while barking out orders in said room?).

And yeah, interesting that the teenage girl in the upscale house at the beginning was pretty much dressed like a hooker and the victims were teenage hookers.  Was somebody trying to make a point there?  

And I have got to say it - I really hate the background music on these Dick Wolf produced shows.  Its all the same grim sounding synthesizer music which I find annoying as hell.  In some ways it reminds me of the old soap operas which always had somebody on an organ which blared ominous chords when some drama was about to go down (those of a certain age will know what I'm talking about).  

[KnoxForPres]

15 hours ago, Xeliou66 said:

I just found Jubal’s persona in that scene entertaining, he was quite good in that undercover role, his comment about getting a rebate if it takes him less than an hour made me laugh, I want to see Jubal in the field more. 

I don’t find the show to be nearly as dark as others do, and I thought last nights episode was by far the best so far, the case felt much more realistic and was very compelling, and the characters all gel together very well and are enjoyable to watch. 

Yeah I don’t find it too bleak either. I’m really enjoying it. 

When the female  cop was interrogating Snake (?) why when he broke on the false detail was that treated like such an a ha moment?  Fundamentally I get it but the way I read the scene it’s like they saw that has a hook, line and sinker confession. Did I miss something?

Comtinue to be amazed how good Sela Ward looks. 

No relevance on this part but the opening house reminded me of the house Reese Witherspoon’s family lived in the movie Fear (if not seen - Mark Wahlberg is SMOKiNG hot but there is a sad dog scene).

its a good show that I will definitely continue to watch. I started for Sisto but am staying as I really like all the characters (especially the male cop- he’s excellent). 

[Waterston Fan]

I liked the episode and thought Jubal undercover was kinda funny. 

How did Bell dress in this episode? For some reason, since a few people have mentioned it, I have been watching out for it. I thought it was fine. 

[WendyCR72]

Special Agents Maggie Bell and OA Zidan rush to track down an active sniper with an elusive motive as the body count continues to rise.

[Emma9]

On 10/10/2018 at 12:54 PM, illdoc said:

In fact, one of the FBI agents said "Haley? Doesn't sound Ukrainian" and was told "her mother was American" (at the time, they only knew of the one girl). Weirder was the fact that I couldn't hear an accent from either girl. Having an American name (with an American mother) is one thing, but if you've been living your entire life in the Ukraine, you'd have an accent!

Furthermore, as the daughter of an American citizen, why did she need a visa? Unless the traffickers lied to her and the sister about needing them as a further means of control, but you'd think the mother would have mentioned it at some point. That entire aspect of the storyline could have been left out, since apparently its only purpose was to explain their names.

Aside from that, and the 'Why didn't they do X or Y during the initial confrontation with the main bad guy' questions raised by Netfoot and preeya above, I enjoyed this episode.

[LisaM]

I think that Sela Ward brings a lot to this show. It came on my radar when it was announced that she was joining the cast. They need to give Jeremy Sisto more to do. He's too high profile an actor to be just standing around bellowing orders. 

[LisaM]

I became aware of the show when it was announced that Sela Ward was joining the cast. She has always been one of my favorite actresses. I think she does a lot here even with a relatively minor part. I also like the female tech specialist (the one who defused the bomb in the church in the pilot). I've never seen the lead actor before; I think he is very good and always seems to be on the verge of blowing up. 

[WendyCR72]

Well, based on this one, I am guessing that Dick Wolf and his team are still ripping cases from the headlines, even as this one seems old. This one looks like a variation of John Lee Malvo and John Mohammed, a.k.a. the DC snipers all the way back in 2002. The grown man, his young apprentice. Numerous people shot.

The actor playing OA is still the highlight. I do wish both Jeremy Sisto and Sela Ward would get more play as I think - as actors - they have plenty to offer.

The ending to this one, IMO, was the only way it really could. I get the show trying to get me to empathize with Maggie, but I'm sorry, Missy Peregrym still leaves me cold. Thankfully, I like the rest of the team enough to continue watching, even as Every!Catastrophic!Event! must hit NYC to make the show work.

[JackONeill]

Okay, they’re going a little deeper with the characters (within the constraints of the plot). But I don’t get a true sense of what the “relationship” between OA and Maggie is. Forget if they like one another, I don’t even know if they respect one another (though I’m sure they do — though I have no evidence of it). OA sometimes gives Maggie a look that says, “WTF.”

And, at least based on the last few episodes, it seems as though the Sela Ward character is letting/allowing/encouraging  Maggie to take “the leadership” role in her partnership with OA.

[catrice2]

I found the female partner to be the weakest link of the show. I must admit I only wanted to watch it because I thought Sisto would be in the field I'm not liking him in the office

[Xeliou66]

I’m enjoying the show, although I am tired of the mass casualty cases, 3 of the first 4 episodes have been that, episode 3, the human trafficking case, was the best because it was more unique and realistic. That being said I enjoy the show, the excellent chemistry between the characters and the fast paced, all case focused nature of the show keeps me interested. 

[preeya]

Sela Ward's character is a gem. It's nice to see the person-in-charge supporting/nurturing the subordinates, unlike other shows where they are highly critical and almost never in agreement with them.

[Proteus]

I want to like this show so much but so far it's just another CBS procedural that doesn't stand out at all. And I find all the main characters so bland & boring.

I don't know how much longer I'll stick around. I mainly only watch for Missy. But I find everyone else, Sisto, Ward, the guy that plays OA, so stiff & uninteresting. 

[rhys]

I did like how the show portrayed sitting Shiva. I'm going by an old memory tho--i thought mirrors were to be draped in black. The drapings last night appeared to be tan.

[mxc90]

(From the overhead shot) there had to be that one fool running out the office building by the 3 bodies. Maybe he figured it wasn't safe to stay in the building or he really needed to put more quarters in the parking meter.

[Kel Varnsen]

I liked this episode a lot. I also thought it was interesting that the big boss who owned the properties was never caught (no mention of catching the brother in Ukraine I think either). I wonder if the boss will be mentioned in a future episode? Although it is a Dick Wolf procedural so probably not.

[Mikita]

I watched in disbelief when the first two victims were shot in the head. Everyone and I mean everyone was jogging to safety! Sorry, but when gunfire rings out, people sprint like they have never sprinted before. Then my disbelief continued when three random idiots scooted/jogged by three dead bodies, like they didn't realize that they could still be shot. 

If Missy's Maggie disappeared I would not be disappointed. It's like I'm watching depressed Andy McNally. But she can still do everything that McNally could do. Not trained for negotiation but, but dammit, Maggie can do it! This show would be much better with a different female lead. Loving everyone but her.

[HurricaneVal]

I do love Sela Ward, and I think her character is intriguing...but there was something about how she would narrow her eyes and eagerly lean towards the monitor when something awful was happening that kind of creeped me out.  Almost like her character was getting off on the awfulness.  Which...is an intriguing character trait!  I wonder if it is on purpose with a deep meaning, or just an accidental bit of acting business?

[Dowel Jones]

13 hours ago, icemiser69 said:

But still, it was almost like the writers of this episode felt they had to redeem Maggie's character somehow after she called for the kill shot against the sniper. 

I hope Agent Bell went to every single family member of each victim that Cole had murdered, and listened to their story about their victim.  I'm certainly not the bloodthirsty revenge hound, but she seemed to have way too much sympathy for Cole after they killed him. 

[Xantar]

12 hours ago, Mikita said:

I watched in disbelief when the first two victims were shot in the head. Everyone and I mean everyone was jogging to safety! Sorry, but when gunfire rings out, people sprint like they have never sprinted before. Then my disbelief continued when three random idiots scooted/jogged by three dead bodies, like they didn't realize that they could still be shot. 

I started laughing when the overhead shot zoomed out and some stragglers decided to run right next to the dead bodies who had just been expertly shot.

Then I groaned because seriously? Another mass casualty event? The real United States doesn't experience this many terrorism incidents in a year, let alone having all of that happen in one city within a span of one month. This show is just way too grim to be escapism, and it's not saying anything meaningful about the characters or about the world. If a show is going to be this relentlessly grim, it better be Game of Thrones. And even that show has funny moments.

[WendyCR72]

Special Agents Maggie Bell and OA Zidan investigate the death of a safety inspector and its possible connection to a leak at a nuclear power plant.

[Waterston Fan]

I liked some parts of the episode but I admit, there are times where I want to hear some background on other characters. 

I thought it was crazy that the three victims were so close together and how silly it was that some were just jogging away when the shooting happened. 

I do think the show can be better but just can't point to where it can be.