Rubicon

[David]

Rubicon is amazing, and it kind of reminds me of an espionage version of The Wire, only on a much smaller scale, and without the immediate truth that comes from a writing staff headed by a newspaper man and a bunch of people who lived what their writing about. But like The Wire, it's invested itself in focusing on the very real world of espionage without all the frills and bleep bloops and Minority Report monitors and talking cars. It's made shows I normally would have loved (Nikita, Undercovers, Covert Affairs) seem silly and boring by comparison. I don't know if this show is realistic, but it certainly feels realistic. I especially loved Miles' explanation for why he's against torture. (SEMI SPOILER: It's not what it does to them, but what it does to us, plus the very pragmatic reason of unreliable intelligence). It wasn't a big emotional speech, but rather a very realistic and honest consideration that seems to be on the minds of everyone not on cable news.

I think running against Boardwalk Empire is going to be the final nail in Rubicon's coffin.

RUBICON is a glorious program.  I will take pretty severe action if it is canceled after this season.  I'll probably go into the wee hours with the mayhem I will inflict.

[dave from knoxville]

I think running against Boardwalk Empire is going to be the final nail in Rubicon's coffin.

RUBICON is a glorious program.  I will take pretty severe action if it is canceled after this season.  I'll probably go into the wee hours with the mayhem I will inflict.

OMARZERKER

[Chris L]

I think running against Boardwalk Empire is going to be the final nail in Rubicon's coffin.

This will be Rubicon's Waterloo.

[yesno]

Don't cross the Rubicon fans.

[masterofsparks]

Since my post didn't make it clear, I really like Rubicon. I like Boardwalk Empire also, but the fact that they are playing at the same time, coupled with Rubicon's less-than-stellar ratings, gives me a bad feeling. Never mind the fact that people are able to watch both thanks to DVR, online viewing, etc. I wish they could both continue, but I have a bad feeling.

[yesno]

The most realistic aspect of this show is how good-looking and hip all the intelligence analysts are.

[moonshake]

I really wanted to like this but there are so many things that I've found annoyingly unconvincing - the way too convenient neighbor chick, how Donald Bloom was going through Will's apartment with the window wide open and with absolutely no discretion, and didn't they say that the drug testing at API was done every so often (2 weeks or so)? If so, then why is Tanya only getting into trouble now? The way they made Miles and Tanya physically confront the consequences of their decisions felt forced. There must've been a more subtle way to make that point than to fly them over to an undisclosed location and make them walk past the actual torture chamber.

They also really overdo the scary soundtrack. Take it down a notch, by about 92%. My expectations have been drastically lowered, so I'm still gonna watch it for at least the rest of this season. 

[MarcInLiverpool]

didn't they say that the drug testing at API was done every so often (2 weeks or so)? If so, then why is Tanya only getting into trouble now?

I thought drug testing was generally random, they select a few people every few weeks. Professional sportsmen aren't tested that often. Its more the threat it can happen and with women who spies on Will telling t grey haired gentlemen about Tanya possibly having an addiction her name may have been recommended. 

It was different when the whole building was locked down and the FBI investigated the source of the leak. They interviewed everyone working there and everything came to a stand still. Mass drug testing would be to disruptive and costly, how big is the entire staff when you see shots of the cafeteria, hundred people probably more? 

The soundtrack is superb, really adds great production values to the show. The composer has done a damn fine job, the theme tune alone has my neck hairs on end.