Graceland: A Dossier of USA Network’s Newest Show

With 2 episodes left in the initial run of USA’s Graceland, this blog is a recap the story for those just tuning in. Also, it will describe the show’s characters whose story continues next Thursday after a short week hiatus.*may contain details from episodes newer viewers have not as of seen yet*

Background Information (Plot): Mike Warren (Aaron Tveit) successfully completes his FBI training. He was hoping to be sent to the D.C. branch, but is sent to the “Graceland” beachfront house in California under orders from his supervisor. This house has other undercover federal agents from FBI, DEA and Customs in residence that immerse themselves in their cases: they bond with the culprit to catch those who evade normal jurisdiction.  Secrets are kept amongst each housemate that add tension and have the potential to endanger covers.

Case Files-Paul Briggs (Daniel Sunjata): Briggs is an intelligent FBI agent who finished near the top of his FBI class. His background is a mystery that Mike has been sent to investigate. Briggs does his job effectively and calls an “audible” if one of his own is in danger. He is the lead on the case of international gangster Bello (Gbenga Akinnagbe), and may be involved deeper than anyone of his housemates realizes.

Joe “Johnny” Tuturro (Manny Montana): Mostly referred to as “Johnny”, his relaxed nature is balanced by his dedication to his assignments.  His personality can be seen as annoying depending on the mood of the housemate in question. Johnny is a part of Brigg’s cover story whenever called upon to assist in undercover investigations. Dale Jakes does not always get along with this agent due to differences of opinion.

Paige Arkin (Serida Swan):Agent that is good at blending in to her assignments. Briggs and she have a history. Paige cares about those she works with at the “Graceland” beach house, including new housemate Mike Warren. She is skilled at providing backup in situations, whether it as on an assignment or at a local bar.

Catherine “Charlie” DeMarco (Vanessa Ferlito):Charlie is a federal agent with an amazing ability to get into character on an assignment.   Her recent assignments involve the pursuit of Odin, a drug dealer with connections to Bello’s operation. She assists in getting Mike Warren involved in this case and works with him and Briggs as the case develops. Currently, she is working with agent from across the border to find dangerous gang member by the nickname “Jangles”

Dale Jakes (Brandon Jay McLaren):Little is known about Dale Jakes among those in the house as the agent keeps to himself.  When not on a case, he attends to a personal matter that brings out the worst in his personality. He can be easy going, but the matter of his private life outside of the “Graceland” beach house makes him irritable. Johnny chooses wrong time to cross paths with him and finds this out.

Assignment Progress (Where The Story Left Off): Mike Warren  is no longer undercover in Bello investigation…The hunt for Odin and Jangles is getting more intense as these two elements complicated the Bello case…Paul Briggs has been guarding his secrets and soon finds out he has added another to that already growing list…Mike Warren has confided in Paige about the hidden mission he has had since coming to "Graceland" beach house.

My intent here was to bring viewers up to date on this show. It airs on the USA Network Thursdays at 10:00pm. No word yet as of publishing time if this show has gotten renewed or the initial order extended.

*Sources-IMDB.com for actor and character information

What Makes Summer Cinema

As summer draws to a close and gives way for the fall, I want to look back at the elements that made the season enjoyable. Today, the subject is Summer Movies and their diverse elements.

Element 1: There is a grand scale story unfolding on the movie screen.   The sets and intricate plots give the characters a heart, soul, and something to fight for; be it love, power, or respect. What would “The Avengers” had been without the Grand Central Station showdown between superheroes and aliens...and a recurring character named Agent Phil Coulson( who will be starring in the ABC series “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” this fall)? Would “Star Trek into Darkness” have been as good without a brilliant and motivated villain and great fight scenes? The answer to both questions is that these movies would not have been as riveting and awesome.

Element 2: They are critic-proof. In this season, a moviegoer just wants to be entertained. The plot just has to move along and engage the viewer to feel for the characters. Situations in these films may even lack sensibility and yet work despite that fact, hence the term “film logic”. My example of this is “Pacific Rim”. In this movie, each character had a backstory that came to light in the midst of Kaiju (Japanese monster) attacks. Oddly enough, the bulk of the creatures attacked at night, yet were able to capture the imagination of any monster movie fan that saw it in IMAX 3-D and regular theaters. All you had to do was sit back, relax, and watch the action intensify from the comfort of your cinema.

*Ok, I’ll admit some films do not follow this second axiom. There are those that I deem “air conditioning films”. These movies are seen in theaters for the purpose of enjoying a multiplex’s superior AC system. The plots are mediocre at best, but they get you out of the humidity for 2 hours at least. In this category: “You Don’t Mess with the Zohan” and “The Love Guru”. These two movies were not as bad as they could have been, but the meager plot was enough to merit at least one viewing.*

Element 3: The movie stars Will Smith. Will Smith has made the summer his movie domain it seems. “ID4 (Independence Day)”, “Wild Wild West”, and the “Men in Black” franchise were each launched during this summer months as was his most recent release “After Earth”. His movies spotlight his ability to draw an audience in with a memorable quote and performance regardless of box office revenue: the line “I gotta get me one of these!”( from the movie “Independence Day”) for instance. 

Element 4: There are surprising performances to be seen before the official start of Oscar buzz. There are a few movies that catch the Academy’s attention during this time of summer superheroes and action movies. Performances of certain actors merit attention and deserve recognition come early next year.  Yes, it is unlikely that Ben Kingsley is awarded for his amusing role as “the Mandarin” in “Iron Man 3”; however, the stars of the movie “42” and “Lee Daniels’ The Butler” are going to be nominated for an Oscar considering the performances of Chadwick Boseman (Jackie Robinson “42”), Alan Tudyk (Ben Chapman “42”), Forest Whitaker(Cecil Gaines “Lee Daniels’ The Butler”) and Oprah Winfrey(Gloria Gaines “Lee Daniels’ The Butler”).

The Summer Movie is a genre in itself. It is meant to make people forget the humidity and the hard times in their lives. You’ll see a superhero fighting for justice, a comedy or two, an animated feature from Disney, or even a science fiction story. The variety of stories told entertain the viewer and precede the Oscar buzz that arrives with the autumn breeze. 

*IMDB.com-my source for movies and actor information.