rubijou Reviews

The Diplomat (II) (2023– )

Can't really stand it

[6/10 · 16 December 2023]

I usually enjoy anything with Kerry Russell, The Americans being one of my all-time favorite series. This show, though, is weak of premise and thin of plot, relying mostly on Ms. Russell's humorless rants of frustration and discontent with basically all things that happen and her hard-headed efforts to right things, all while being staunchly non-compliant, often resulting in humor at the foibles of the know-it-all out of water. Her pitch is set at 11 most of the time, and the shouting becomes tedious. (Nobody would hire this nut-job for this high-profile post.) Nearly every supporting character is equally frustrating, unlikeable and annoying for different reasons.

Plot? Things are happening in the UK government that the Diplomat needs to redirect, her soon-to-be ex who has more experience is trying to help but he's rather naughty. There are capable but overwrought assistants, and a silly PM.

The Split (2018–2022)

Interesting premise, lead character indecipherable

[7/10 · 25 January 2022]

I like the premise of a family of family and divorce lawyers and their personal lives, The lead character, Hannah Stern, is completely opaque as far as her inner-life and motivations. There is really nobody that she opens up to. She is able to walk away from confrontation and gets away with it with little vulnerability. We don't really know her, only that she is a brilliant lawyer, wanted and desired by both her husband and lover. We don't even know if we like her. This represents the central tension of the plot. Other family members and law clients are sideline drama. The whole is a nicely compelling show that always has a new twist to string you along.

Somebody Feed Phil (2018– )

Somebody Get Phil Some Cultural Awareness

[6/10 · 25 January 2018]

Although it feels like a guilty pleasure, I admit I enjoy Phil's good humor, his endlessly enthralled take on things. Especially fun are his interactions with his parents. Some reviewers long for the grumpy-but-informed musings of Anthony Bourdain, whose shows I also like, although I often squirmed when he made very obvious fun or got angry or annoyed when things didn't meet his standards. Both men display the "ugly American" syndrome but for different reasons, but I digress. Phil! At the top of each show, he habitually boasts simpleton cinematic or US pop culture knowledge of the places he's just come to. Can't somebody brief him or put a book in his hand on the flight over? It's embarrassing, shameful. His narration is simply about the food and how nice and warm (or not) people are. Can somebody do some narration so we get a bit of context, which Tony does well, I might add? These places don't exist in a vacuum. Finally, for the love of god, Phil, STOP HUGGING EVERYONE! Not everyone wants a hug or "does" the hug, which is painfully, cringingly obvious. It'd be a good lesson to viewers (who will book plane tickets in droves, potentially) for him to make a practice of asking his on-sight guides in front of the camera how people like to be greeted or treated. Don't just impose big ol' bumbling American-style customs, as if we're all the same big happy family. It's a teaching moment that he's completely oblivious to. Phil's interactions are superficial and shallow - yet likable, like idiots can be likable.