S02.E06: The Other Brother

[ShellSeeker]

 

Barry decides to stay in Abuddin and make a stand against the Caliphate. Jamal pushes the Chinese diplomat for military support. Sammy discovers that Abdul has been kidnapped by the Caliphate.

 

[SimoneS]

Another good episode. This season is really picking up steam with Bassam leading the uprising against the Islamic militants and Jamal losing it, but finding new men to fight for him. Poor old dude, dying before saving his wife.

 

Dalia is a strong woman. Hopefully, she lives long enough for Bassam and the tribes to save her from those disgusting people. I want her to stab both that woman and guy in their throats before this is over.

 

Jamal is such a sociopath. He will never change. His father saw him clearly. No wonder he told Bassam on his deathbed that it should have been him. I wonder if Ahmed kills Jamal when he finds out that his father slept with his wife and could be the father of their child, then again maybe the new son will end up killing Jamal and Ahmed. 

 

I like Ahmed knowing about Abdul's sexuality and helping Sammy. I hope that Sammy can ransom Abdul. Sammy casually telling his mother that he lied when he renounced his father made me smile. Bassam will be so proud. 

Edited July 22, 2015 by SimoneS

[Human]

I think Sammy said that he didn't lie.  And now the set up for Sammy to be held hostage by the Caliphate.  He'll try to ransom Abdul, for some reason he won't do an electronic money transfer and will go in person, Rashid will recognize him, Caliphate will take a high priority hostage, we'll be stuck with Sammy for longer.  

 

I'm really surprised that no one has definitely recognized Bassam.  I thought that girl did, I hoped she did.  I hoped at least Bassam would have told the old man what his real name was before he died, but nope.  

 

Did anyone else notice Nusarat checking out new brother?  Because I don't think they were subtle enough with that.  It was hard to catch.  I needed the camera to zoom in on at least a couple more sneaked glances before I could be sure they were checking each other out.  

[thuganomics85]

Nusarat was totally checking out the new general/Jamal's other son.  Poor Ahmed.  You ain't ever going to win her heart.

 

Jamal relieves Tariq of his "position" a.k.a. beats him to death with some kind of statue.  Yep, that wasn't surprising.  Classic Jamal right there.  Leila of all people, actually convinces his bastard child to come back and take over, and it sounds like his current plan is to bring over African mercenaries from past dealings, to helping with Caliphate.  Hey, they could use all the help they can get, after Tariq's fuck-ups and Jamal pissing of the Chinese.

 

Then again, Caliphate has their own problems, now that Barry is here and doing a decent job at being a thorn in their side.  Already rescued a bunch of their prisoners and blew a few guys up.  It did end up costing them his old buddy though.  At least the son is still undercover in the group.  Dalia though, could really use some help, because it's obvious that leader guy doesn't give a shit about taking her against her will.  I hope at the very least she wipes the smirk off of the first wife's face, when the shit goes down.

 

Sammy is totally going to in the verdict, but he's also going to totally try to buy back his boyfriend, right?  And the Caliphate will find out who he really is and totally kidnap his ass.  Molly is really going to regret letting all this happen, I think.

Edited July 22, 2015 by thuganomics85

[Rhetorica]

Damn! This is moving along quickly. Loved Jamal's line to Tariq, "You are relieved of your command." Factions are being formed. I just hope Jamal's family is standing at the end. I totally forgot about the American storyline until Molly and son showed up. I literally groaned. Really, this is what he's using the money for? Not his mother, sister, or country men. This is the hill he wants to die on?

[SimoneS]

It had not occurred to me that Sammy might be kidnapped by the militants, but that would be a cool plot twist as I would expect Bassam to save the prisoners and have an emotional reunion with Sammy.

I seriously don't get all the ranting against Bassam's family that goes on here constantly. I consider them as an important part of the show as Jamal's family. Both brothers are flawed and their families are trapped in their ongoing dramas with each other as well as their inner emotional turmoil.

 

Also, complaining about Sammy using the money to rescue Abdul whose only crime is being gay? Really? Attempting to save Abdul is not just an act of love, it is also admirable even if it somehow backfires and puts Sammy in danger.

Edited July 22, 2015 by SimoneS

[Artsda]

Loved Nusarat checking out the new brother, he looked a little taken by her too. Bring on the love triangle. 

 

I liked Sammy with Ahmed, Sammy's more tolerable around that side of the family instead of with his mother and sister. 

[slothgirl]

So much potential in this episode, and so much uneccessary soap opera melodrama being shoehorned in.

 

Nusrat and 2nd brother... yeah.. we needed a bigger anvil for the people who didn't see it (because they were tuned to another channel, I guess. That's the only way you could have missed it).

 

Old guy dead (sad face).. paving the way for Barry and Dahlia. Who didn't see that coming? (besides the aformentioned folks watching Dance Moms or whatever, instead)?

 

Molly and Lawyer guy definitely looking like something is developing.. but hey, that just leaves Barry free! Awww... how easy it all is! No one will have to get hurt (emotionally)

 

Sammy will get his millions, pay a ransom to his lover's captives. Awww.. it's true love!

 

Then the bad guys will have far more money than the good guys for the fight. Oh well. Sammy renounced his father.. we'll see if he warms up to his Dad a little when Dad reveals he's alive and reclaims the money just in time for the ransom payment to fall flat... Hmmm... probably not.

 

But now that we have the stupid  forced romance storylines out of the way...

 

Lawyer dude at least is smart enough to say "We need to get this done and get the hell out, cause this country's going to hell in a handcart" and Molly says ..."We're staying for that money and I don't care if we all get killed!" (ok... maybe I'm embellishing, but that's pretty much what she said) As if I could like Molly any less, but she constantly pushes that limit lower than I thought it could possibly go. I hope lawyer guy already has a return ticket home and can bail for his own sake. He better be getting a huge commision or fee for putting his life in danger going to a place that most certainly is on the State Dept. list of places US citizens SHOULDN"T go to right now.

 

On the other hand, he's sleezy, skeevy, and creepy, so who cares?

 

The good:

 

Jamal. I can watch Ashraf read the phone book at this point. There better be an Emmy nod in this actor's future! I don't care that he's a sociopathic rapist killer nutbucket. He's by far the most fascinating character on this show, and maybe one of the most fascinating on any show I watch right now. Maybe I'm sick, but I cheered when he beat Tariq to death. Go Jamal. Be your beautiful killer self. I hate you as a person, but I LOVE you as a character. I fear that the inevitable reunion of Jamal and Barry with shared scenes & purpose will drive me batty. Cause you know the focus will be on Barry and he pales next to Jamal as an actor and a character.

 

Laila. Fabulous scene with the bastard son. Every scene she is in is fabulous. (Every outfit she is in is fabulous!) I hope Moran and Ashraf go on to much success. They elevate what would otherwise be a pretty unspectacular formulaic summer show. Without them, I probably wouldn't be watching.

 

Sammy and Ahmed... The Cousins take Abuddin!... surprisingly, this relationship worked for me. I just wish there weren't so many people with similar names cause when they get talked about, I get confused... Ahmed, Abdul, Ahmos.

 

That poor girl so inspried by Bassam Al Fayeed and doesn't recognize him when he's 10 inches away. Oh well, I guess if you KNOW someone is dead, you don't assume someone who looks just like him is actually him.

 

I'd like to see Ihab Rashid looking a little more conflicted. They hint at it, but mostly he's sold out and doesn't seem to be affected by doing so.

 

Overall, a good episode

[scrb]

I can't believe Sammy in the court room.

 

He actually hesitated when told to renounce Barry.

 

 

Wait Nusrat's baby could have been fathered by Jamal?  That can't be right.

 

Ahmed is a pretty good guy, except when he repeatedly shot the assassin.  But he's way in over his head, except maybe for the gaydar.

 

I don't know about this plot.  The Chinese wouldn't be signing any defense pact and the US would be all over the place to try to fight the Caliphate.  Jamal wouldn't need to buy military advisors.  The US would provide those as well as do bombing missions.

 

But they wanted the Al Fayeeds to be alone, backs against the wall, fighting back foreign invaders.  Though it looks like Leila is going to push the new general into taking action before he's ready.

[MrsRafaelBarba]

Dalia was like, NOPE not feeding your power fetish Caliphate midget.

Gonna make like a corpse, wake me when your done.

Find a step stool and get it over with.

Really will enjoy watching him and the smug wifey die.

[Ottis]

It had not occurred to me that Sammy might be kidnapped by the militants,

 

 

This outcome is the sole reason Sammy and his gayness exists. From the moment we met him last season and learned he was gay, he was destined to become a bargaining chip after being detained by someone.

 

They seem to have Jamal running in place. He isn't quite good, he isn't quite evil (sudden bludgeoning of inexplicably incompetent Tariq aside). I guess the show is holding him there until Barry arrives and they have the dramatic reunion.

 

I like the show. I liked last night's show more than most, because it had less of Barry's family.

 

Barry is too tall or something for that desert outfit. He is really channeling Stilgar from Dune.

[slothgirl]

Loved Nusarat checking out the new brother, he looked a little taken by her too. Bring on the love triangle. 

Gah! Please, no! I can watch daytime soap operas for love triangles. This show will only get bogged down with the introduction of stuff like that, and they are setting it up for so many of the characters. We certainly don't need TWO love triangles! (Barry/ Molly/ Lawyer and Nusrat/ Bastard Son/ Ahmed. The Barry etc love triangle threatened to turn into two separate triangles all on its own: Barry/Molly/Lawyer and Barry/Ahmos/Dahlia. Now it's just a ridiculous quadrangle that could be resolved with little or no anquish to anyone, but I'm sure they will find a way to make it excrutiating anyway.

 

We also have a bit of a love triangle with Jamal/ Laila/memory of past love (that produced inconvenient love child that may save the world if he doesn't get too bogged down in sexapades with Ahmad's wife). The only difference is that Moran sells it so believably. The rest of it is ridiculous. These people are fighting for their lives and they're randy as rabbits. Is there a major character who ISN"T in a love triangle now?

 

It's like this show has 2 different showrunners both injecting elements. Someone who likes romance novels and someone who wants to tell a story of the chaos and complexity involved with changing Tyranical regimes and in the Middle East in general.

 

Frankly, I'm only interested in the latter, and the better actors are performing in the latter, so they can just drop the other altogether as far as I'm concerned.

Edited July 22, 2015 by slothgirl

[dubbel zout]

I just rolled my eyes this episode. Suddenly Molly is going to fight to get Sammy his millions? She's surprised he has to renounce Bassam, who's considered a traitor to his country, in a courtroom to get said money? Both of them think the money will simply be handed over and they can leave? I just can't with this story. 

 

Then of course Daliya is raped. And people's genitals are electrocuted. This show is getting close to torture/violence porn.

 

Bassam as leader of the freedom fighters? Sigh. Did he learn nothing when he tried to overthrow the government? Apparently not.

[sjohnson]

Molly doesn't seem to have a clue about Sammy, despite the weird line delivery last week. 

 

The Sammy story line is at least interesting, unlike the sad Lawrence of Arabia story line for Barry. The US government supports Islamic State over the Syrian government, and isn't very averse to letting IS partition Iraq for it either. Turning CIA asset Barry into a fighter against fundamentalism forgets the US supports the fundamentalists every where it can, especially including the great fountain of support for jihadism, Saudi Arabia.  The cognitive dissonance makes the heroics seem so phony and robs it of any impact.

 

The African mercenary crap is an embarrassing way of trying to accuse Syria of being foreign supported the same way Islamic State is. Well, it isn't. 

 

Makeup should just put horns on Ahmed's head. Serves him right for being fat, I guess. Beating a man to death is much cooler.

 

Ashraf Barhom's ability to go over the top and sell it anyhow, was used to the max. Unfortunately that sort of thing leads to military coups. They keep this crap up we won't be able to believe Jamal isn't shot down in self-defense at any random moment. 

[Artsda]

 

just rolled my eyes this episode. Suddenly Molly is going to fight to get Sammy his millions? 

Molly was the worst of the episode, the lawyer guy wants to secure a way out in a country about to go to war and in political unrest but no she won't go anywhere until they get the money. Nice priorities there. 

[dubbel zout]

Turning CIA asset Barry

He's not a CIA asset and never has been. He used some CIA connections to foment the botched revolution. 

[Human]

 

Also, complaining about Sammy using the money to rescue Abdul whose only crime is being gay? Really? Attempting to save Abdul is not just an act of love, it is also admirable even if it somehow backfires and puts Sammy in danger.

I have to disagree with this.  It's understandable, but not entirely admirable.  I think it would be admirable to work to fight against those who are violating human rights, but it's really terrible to hand over millions to the insurgents who are committing these violations.  I raised a bit of an eyebrow when Ahmos was trying to buy back Dahlia, but what he was offering could have bought a new computer.  What Sammy will offer would buy a helicopter, some serious weaponry, and a bigger platform for the Caliphate recruitment efforts.  

 

So while I have a lot of understanding and empathy for that urge, to protect and save someone you love, it's certainly not going to make Sammy likeable and in fact will likely just make him even more unlikeable to me.  

[scrb]

Abdul must have rocked Sammy's world.

 

 

If the Caliphate are posting those videos on social media like ISIS is doing, and recruiting disaffected Arab youth from the West, the US would be all over this.  They might want to distance themselves from Jamal but they'd be working to attack the Caliphate elsewhere.

[OrientalAmish]

i am happy that Tariq is gone.... I did not like him...Whether, he is being a sociopath or trying to be a better man, I will gladly take any form of Jamal.... He is probably my most favorite character on the show.... And, I like Ahmed's character a bit more after this episode + glad he is getting featured more in the show....

Edited July 22, 2015 by OrientalAmish

[NorthstarATL]

I could buy Sammy wanting to rescue his lover IF we had any evidence other than  texting that they were, in fact, so very much in love, and not a vacation fling, and IF there were actual hard evidence that Abdul is in fact alive. Plus, Molly's risking a lot to make this happen for Sammy, not to mention the lawyer's fees, and her own time off from work. She deserves some consideration before Sammy squanders it all to infuse the Caliphate with more cash.

 

We certainly don't need TWO love triangles! (Barry/ Molly/ Lawyer and Nusrat/ Bastard Son/ Ahmed.

The geometry there is more interesting, though, in that Nusrat's child is fathered by Jamal, who also fathered the other two sides of her impending triangle. I wonder if Ahmed's finely tuned gaydar isn't more than just that.

  

 

Laila. Fabulous scene with the bastard son. Every scene she is in is fabulous. (Every outfit she is in is fabulous!)

That white get-up was awesome! And so clean!

The words were probably okay, but Barry's delivery of the  "inspiring" speech to the troops had no fire.

[AlliMo]

I don't know where anyone is getting that Jamal fathered Nusrat's baby. He sexually assaulted her, but there was never any indication that they had actual intercourse. She called it rape because that was still what it was, by definition.

[scrb]

Yeah I thought I missed something.

 

Also the bastard son has too much eye liner to be taken seriously as a general.

[Puffaroo]

Wait Nusrat's baby could have been fathered by Jamal?  That can't be right.

 

I'd have to go back and rewatch the episode, but I'm pretty sure Jamal used his hand, not his penis.

 

Barry is too tall or something for that desert outfit. He is really channeling Stilgar from Dune.

 

On that, we'll have to respectfully disagree.  In that outfit, Barry is sex on a stick.

[sjohnson]

I have to disagree with this.  It's understandable, but not entirely admirable.  I think it would be admirable to work to fight against those who are violating human rights, but it's really terrible to hand over millions to the insurgents who are committing these violations.  I raised a bit of an eyebrow when Ahmos was trying to buy back Dahlia, but what he was offering could have bought a new computer.  What Sammy will offer would buy a helicopter, some serious weaponry, and a bigger platform for the Caliphate recruitment efforts.  

 

So while I have a lot of understanding and empathy for that urge, to protect and save someone you love, it's certainly not going to make Sammy likeable and in fact will likely just make him even more unlikeable to me.  

It is also likely to bring some sort of federal charges against Sammy. My feeling on this stems from seeing it as requiring family members to sacrifice their loved ones to support government policy. The Spartan mother is still supposed to be a model for us all?

 

As for Sammy being likeable, what teens are? On the other hand, a dude who'd jam his hand up his prospective daughter-in-law's vagina to check for a hymen or beat his own uncle to death is immensely likeable? I'm not sure that likeability has more to do with identification with a character, which seems to be purely a matter of personal taste, and not really discussable. The real point I think is being interesting, which Sammy/Abdul is in my opinion, more so than Molly and the lawyer, or for that matter, Molly and Barry. (Emma who?)

 

Also, gay characters who aren't amusing in a gay way somehow in practice are always written badly or played by crap actors or forced in as part of a cliche story line or totally unlike the modern world where being gay is never a big deal worthy of comment, much less being puffed up like some big deal. Always. And I mean always. If you don't believe me, read the comments on a bbs. 

 

dubbel zout, I'm sorry but that's not the way things work. The CIA wanted regime change (the US wants a lot of regimes changed, why not Abbuddin's?) Barry in their eyes was an asset in that task. The show expects us to believe as an article of faith that the US desire for the overthrow of Jamal(Hussein/Qaddafi/Assad) is inspired solely by humanitarian concerns. You are welcome to watch the show that way.

[dubbel zout]

dubbel zout, I'm sorry but that's not the way things work. The CIA wanted regime change (the US wants a lot of regimes changed, why not Abbuddin's?) Barry in their eyes was an asset in that task. The show expects us to believe as an article of faith that the US desire for the overthrow of Jamal(Hussein/Qaddafi/Assad) is inspired solely by humanitarian concerns. You are welcome to watch the show that way.

 

 I never wrote or implied that I thought the overthrow was inspired solely by humanitarian concerns. I simply said that the CIA did not place Barry in Abuddin to get rid of the current regime. Both Barry and the CIA used each other. We appear to have different definitions of the word "asset." 

Edited July 23, 2015 by dubbel zout

[missy jo]

Is the show diverting from its real-life counterparts? Jamal = Sadaam Hussein ("gassed his own people"), Caliphate = ISIS, but is the 3rd party with Bassam a fictional story-telling device.

 

They've retconned the character of Ahmed, IMO, to become more likable and not the worthless boob he was in Season 1. And even moreso, the freedom fighter Ihab Rashid is now suddenly OK with the even worse tactics of the Caliphate? They seem like they stand for everything he used to be against.

 

Also, I thought Abdul was the one who got shot in the head during the assassination attempt on Jamal?

 

I enjoy this Middle Eastern soap opera, but I'm confuzzled, LOL.

[scrb]

Seems like Raschid is turning a blind eye to things that bother him but is likely to turn on the midget rapist at some point.

[TVForever]

So much potential in this episode, and so much uneccessary soap opera melodrama being shoehorned in.

 

Nusrat and 2nd brother... yeah.. we needed a bigger anvil for the people who didn't see it (because they were tuned to another channel, I guess. That's the only way you could have missed it).

 

Old guy dead (sad face).. paving the way for Barry and Dahlia. Who didn't see that coming? (besides the aformentioned folks watching Dance Moms or whatever, instead)?

 

Molly and Lawyer guy definitely looking like something is developing.. but hey, that just leaves Barry free! Awww... how easy it all is! No one will have to get hurt (emotionally)

 

Sammy will get his millions, pay a ransom to his lover's captives. Awww.. it's true love!

 

Then the bad guys will have far more money than the good guys for the fight. Oh well. Sammy renounced his father.. we'll see if he warms up to his Dad a little when Dad reveals he's alive and reclaims the money just in time for the ransom payment to fall flat... Hmmm... probably not.

 

But now that we have the stupid  forced romance storylines out of the way...

 

Lawyer dude at least is smart enough to say "We need to get this done and get the hell out, cause this country's going to hell in a handcart" and Molly says ..."We're staying for that money and I don't care if we all get killed!" (ok... maybe I'm embellishing, but that's pretty much what she said) As if I could like Molly any less, but she constantly pushes that limit lower than I thought it could possibly go. I hope lawyer guy already has a return ticket home and can bail for his own sake. He better be getting a huge commision or fee for putting his life in danger going to a place that most certainly is on the State Dept. list of places US citizens SHOULDN"T go to right now.

 

On the other hand, he's sleezy, skeevy, and creepy, so who cares?

 

The good:

 

Jamal. I can watch Ashraf read the phone book at this point. There better be an Emmy nod in this actor's future! I don't care that he's a sociopathic rapist killer nutbucket. He's by far the most fascinating character on this show, and maybe one of the most fascinating on any show I watch right now. Maybe I'm sick, but I cheered when he beat Tariq to death. Go Jamal. Be your beautiful killer self. I hate you as a person, but I LOVE you as a character. I fear that the inevitable reunion of Jamal and Barry with shared scenes & purpose will drive me batty. Cause you know the focus will be on Barry and he pales next to Jamal as an actor and a character.

 

Laila. Fabulous scene with the bastard son. Every scene she is in is fabulous. (Every outfit she is in is fabulous!) I hope Moran and Ashraf go on to much success. They elevate what would otherwise be a pretty unspectacular formulaic summer show. Without them, I probably wouldn't be watching.

 

Sammy and Ahmed... The Cousins take Abuddin!... surprisingly, this relationship worked for me. I just wish there weren't so many people with similar names cause when they get talked about, I get confused... Ahmed, Abdul, Ahmos.

 

That poor girl so inspried by Bassam Al Fayeed and doesn't recognize him when he's 10 inches away. Oh well, I guess if you KNOW someone is dead, you don't assume someone who looks just like him is actually him.

 

I'd like to see Ihab Rashid looking a little more conflicted. They hint at it, but mostly he's sold out and doesn't seem to be affected by doing so.

 

Overall, a good episode

       Oh gosh , I'm so with you and your take on the characters. Especially Jamal.

[Human]

 

The words were probably okay, but Barry's delivery of the  "inspiring" speech to the troops had no fire.

During that part of the episode, I wondered if the casting director was watching and finding him- or herself really regretting choosing Adam Rayner.  There is no fire in the actor at all.  He has the same face, same emotion, same everything in every single scene.  Big problem when the audience can't tell the difference between when he's making an inspirational speech or dragging a dead body into an outhouse.  

[Syd]

 

In that outfit, Barry is sex on a stick.

More like, just a STICK. Give that man a sandwich!

[SoothingDave]

OK, show.  I'm liking the actual battling ISIS thing and the interesting implications of bringing brothers together as the enemies of enemies become friends.  I think we eventually get Jamal and Bassam all together again to fight the Caliphate.

 

Not sure where pediatrician from Pasadena studied military tactics, but yea for Barry!

 

Now:

 

1.  Last week the Chinese presented Jamal with a "sold gold" oil derrick.  If that was solid gold, it would be too soft to beat your uncle to death with.  OK, maybe it's just sematics.  Minor point.  Unlike:

 

2.  California meet-you-at-church lawyer dude is an expert on Abbudin law?  What kind of idiot goes into a courtroom in another state, let alone another country, without local counsel?  

 

3.  Really, judge?  We're all calling Sammy "Sammy" in a courtroom?  

 

4.  Anyone but me think that renouncing your father in open court is to disavow any inheritance from him?  Just me?  I guess since Sammy has to try to ransom Abdul, he will win the money, but that struck me as a funny move.  Especially without benefit of local counsel.

[ganesh]

I have to disagree with this.  It's understandable, but not entirely admirable.  I think it would be admirable to work to fight against those who are violating human rights, but it's really terrible to hand over millions to the insurgents who are committing these violations.

 

It's naive at best. One could use that money to buy medical supplies and give humanitarian aid to the resistance. Even if they went through with the ransom, you don't need to give IS those kind of resources. Or, black market weapons if you want to go dark. That's exactly what IS is going to do with it. 

 

With even $50 million you could set up a foundation and attract other donors. I mean, come on. The son of the 'treasonous' rebel using his inheritance? The news would gobble that up. 

 

It's ridiculous that Barry has a shred of military acumen. He's a *doctor* ffs. I can buy the speech at the end because I'm still pulling for the Preacher, but providing tactics and actually fighting? Ooookkkaaay.

 

But, it's been multiple times now that Jamal has said "Bassam was right." I'm waiting for that payoff.

 

Was Ahmed's wife checking out the new general? I couldn't tell. This show, with all it's nuance. 

Edited July 24, 2015 by ganesh

[ElTVaddict]

4.  Anyone but me think that renouncing your father in open court is to disavow any inheritance from him?  Just me?  I guess since Sammy has to try to ransom Abdul, he will win the money, but that struck me as a funny move.  Especially without benefit of local counsel.

No, I thought that as well. But, of course the opposite will happen, Sammy will get the money and as other have predicted, become a victim who needs to be saved.

[dubbel zout]

4.  Anyone but me think that renouncing your father in open court is to disavow any inheritance from him?

 

It's contradictory, but as an Abuddin court is the one to rule whether the money should be released or not, having to meet its terms has a certain logic. Also, I think the money is coming from a family trust, because I doubt Bassam would cut out his daughter like that. Molly, too, for that matter.

 

I bet the family could have asked Jamal to cut them a check. Awkward, but he feels guilty about what he did to Bassam. But then there'd be no drama. (That last sentence was sarcasm.)

Edited July 24, 2015 by dubbel zout

[BigBlueMastiff]

 

It's naive at best. One could use that money to buy medical supplies and give humanitarian aid to the resistance. Even if they went through with the ransom, you don't need to give IS those kind of resources. Or, black market weapons if you want to go dark. That's exactly what IS is going to do with it.

 

With even $50 million you could set up a foundation and attract other donors. I mean, come on. The son of the 'treasonous' rebel using his inheritance? The news would gobble that up.

 

It's ridiculous that Barry has a shred of military acumen. He's a *doctor* ffs. I can buy the speech at the end because I'm still pulling for the Preacher, but providing tactics and actually fighting? Ooookkkaaay.

 

But, it's been multiple times now that Jamal has said "Bassam was right." I'm waiting for that payoff.

 

Was Ahmed's wife checking out the new general? I couldn't tell. This show, with all it's nuance.

Right on, ganesh, I didn't notice her checking him out either. I can't wait for the caliphate leader and his smarmy wife to get theirs, their are both so despicable. Barry saving the day, not buying it, but I'll take it. Also can't wait for Sammy to get taken on a caliphate ride. Maybe it's the cynic in me, but the naivete/stupidity of Sammy and Molly is astounding. How are these two still alive??? I'm liking the kinder, gentler, Ahmed.

[Paws]

 

2.  California meet-you-at-church lawyer dude is an expert on Abbudin law?  What kind of idiot goes into a courtroom in another state, let alone another country, without local counsel?

This irritated me SO MUCH. What would that lawyer guy say that Molly couldn't say herself?  Did he ever even say he did international law? 

 

 

It's ridiculous that Barry has a shred of military acumen. He's a *doctor* ffs.

Actually, I'm ok with this. He was raised in Abbuddin, with his family who ruled the country. Of course he would know some basic stuff. He shot someone dead as a kid too (remember in season 1)?  

 

 

Anyhow, the show is getting so much better. I just hope it stays there. And kills off Molly.

[paulvdb]

I agree with you. Barry would have gotten some military knowledge growing up as the son of a dictator before he moved to America.

[candall]

It's like this show has 2 different showrunners both injecting elements. Someone who likes romance novels and someone who wants to tell a story of the chaos and complexity involved with changing Tyranical regimes and in the Middle East in general.

 

 

Absolutely!  But I'm just so happy someone's tossing in the interesting authentic elements.  (I saw a fascinating news story about an all-female fighter squad.  They're extremely effective--in part because, as the girl mentioned, a man killed by a woman is unworthy and denied paradise.  The male soldiers run away so they won't risk getting hit by a chick bullet.  Amazing to hear a shout out about that on Tyrant.)

 

And a second Western import woman, this one faring a little better than Mrs. Faisal, but still not great.  "Hungry?!  Out of my way, No. 1, I have a new play toy that needs raping."

 

The soapy elements just make me laugh.  Molly insists on "Return To Abuddin" so she can protect her little cub--who hops in a car and disappears 90 seconds after the hearing. 

 

Oh, and according to the subtitles, Sammy definitely told Molly that disavowing Barry was NOT a lie.  No extra charge for the salt in your wound, Mom.  Little snot.

 

Thank you, writers, for remembering Jamal's brutal streak, and on such a worthy target, too.  Jamal has just become too sensitive and introspective, muttering "Bassam was right" every five minutes.

 

Party of one, but I loved the very last scene, with incognito Barry being reminded that he had inspired people.  I don't want him to get totally distracted saving Deliyah before he has to concentrate on saving Sammy.

 

Finally, questions:  I don't remember who Siddiq was (freed in the prison break.)  The goat herd man, who died, has two sons in the Caliphate--one of them a genuine convert and one of them a secret rebel.  Right?

[ganesh]

This irritated me SO MUCH. What would that lawyer guy say that Molly couldn't say herself?  Did he ever even say he did international law?

 

Molly is a woman, and I'd bet that they don't allow female lawyers in court. Possibly.

 

I agree with you. Barry would have gotten some military knowledge growing up as the son of a dictator before he moved to America.

 

Ok. Fair enough. It was still a bit much that his *one* plan went off so well. 

[legxleg]

 

2.  California meet-you-at-church lawyer dude is an expert on Abbudin law?  What kind of idiot goes into a courtroom in another state, let alone another country, without local counsel?  

I felt the same way! And I couldn't help but think, maybe this is why his arguments seem to be based on platitudes rather than statutes or case law.  It's just not fair, judge!

 

 

When Leila went to see this new son in his hotel room, he was wearing so much eye makeup that it distracted me. Was he packing up to go to a club? 

[Constantinople]

The words were probably okay, but Barry's delivery of the  "inspiring" speech to the troops had no fire.

Steve Guttenberg gave a more rousing speech in Lavalantula.

 

For that matter, I've heard "Attention shoppers, the Blue Subaru with License Plate X45 89G lights are on" read with more dramatic effect.

[ineedhelp]

Per Molly, it has been a year since the wedding. So Jamal can't be the father of the baby.  I believe it was even mentioned that Barry was in jail/prison for several months before his "execution" and they were only just recently able to find out the gender of the baby.  I just don't think the time line would work for Jamal to be the father.  However, I sometime get distracted while watching and could be completely wrong.  

[millennium]

On 7/22/2015 at 1:10 AM, slothgirl said:

 

Laila. Fabulous scene with the bastard son. Every scene she is in is fabulous. (Every outfit she is in is fabulous!) I hope Moran and Ashraf go on to much success. They elevate what would otherwise be a pretty unspectacular formulaic summer show. Without them, I probably wouldn't be watching.

Yeah, I'm smitten with Leila.   And Jamal is one of the most likable bad guys ever.   I wouldn't mind spending a weekend with them.

(But I like Barry, too!)

I'm catching up on Hulu.   The show is really picking up steam at this point.