Tag Archives: Legends

2014 Fall Television Season Podcast

John Mayo, of ComicBookpage, and Kay Kellam, of PopArtsPlace, discuss the 2014 fall television season.

The primary focus is on the new shows of common interest on “major” networks with some returning shows mentioned. The shows are in order they are expected to premiere.

Shows discussions (shows in parenthesis are returning shows, shows in {} are no longer in production but warranted mention/comparison and discussion):

Gotham, Forever, {New Amsterdam}, Scorpion, {Leverage}, (Sleepy Hollow), (The Blacklist), (Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.), (Person of Interest), (Resurrection), Mysteries of Laura, How To Get Away With Murder, (Scandal), (Grey’s Anatomy), (Once Upon A Time), {Once Upon A Time in Wonderland}, (Revenge), (Castle), (The Listener), (Saving Hope), (Doctor Who), Legends, (Rizzoli & Isles), (Perception), Stalker, Gracepoint, {Broadchurch}, The Flash, (Arrow), (The 100), Constantine, (White Collar), State of Affairs, Ascension, Transporter, The Librarians, Galavant, iZombie, Agent Carter, (Justified), (Bitten), CSI Cyber, (CSI), {CSI: New York}, {CSI: Miami}, (NCIS), (NCIS: Los Angeles), (NCIS: New Orleans)

Links:
Discount Comic Book Service: http://www.DCBService.com
Comics Podcast Network: http://www.comicspodcast.com
League of Comic Book Podcasts: http://www.comicbooknoise.com/league/

Email us at TheGuys@ComicBookPage.com

Join the discussion on our forum at: http://forum.comicbookpage.com

This podcast episode originated on the Comic Book Page feed and website:http://www.ComicBookPage.com

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Legends – TNT

TNT’s Legends, based on the Robert Littell novel of the same name (and with Robert Littell as a consultant on the show) has taken the conflict and intrigue of the novel and pulled it forward ten years while centering it predominantly in the United States.

WhoIsMartinOdum The novel is a globe trotting adventure that encompasses several years as Martin Odum recalls several of his previous legends, while trying to figure out what is truly him, what was his true life, and what he drew from and altered to create the legends he used to successfully in his service to country.

Where the novel centers around a CIA agent who has retired after some injuries and become a Private Detective in New York, the television show takes the same basic character, equally well known for his ability to take on Deep Cover assignments, but he is an FBI agent still actively working for he bureau.

It is hard to tell which of the supporting characters on the show directly parallel, or are drawn from characters in the book, in part because some of the first names are kept but many of the surnames changed, but also across the board ages and descriptions are changed.

Len Barlow / Martin Odum

On the show Martin is presented in the pilot as an agent who trusts himself, relies on himself, and has typically built his own legends, and is now learning to be more of a team player. In the book there is a committee that helps create the legends, and some of the conversations there are entertaining as the possibilities are tossed around for how various aspects of the character might have come to be, or how certain things might be explained.

Where the television show Outlander is doing such a great job taking the characters almost exactly as they appear in the book and translating them to the screen, Legends, like Cedar Cove, is taking a great many more liberties. Lincoln Dittman is in the book as well as the television show, and while there are similarities to the characters, their backgrounds have a host of differences, from occupation to why they are disenchanted with the federal government.

Lincoln Dittman

While the various Legends / personas were clearly different and identifiable in the book, Sean Bean does an amazing job on the show of slipping between them, one moment sounding like Martin Odum, and the next his accent changes, his mannerism change, his smile has a different lilt, and before the audiences very eyes a new character appears on screen.

The novel Legends kept pulling out new twists, yet through it all I was always confident that Martin Odum was the good guy, and I believed those who knew him and worked with him had every confidence in that as well. There are times in the television show when I think that could be clearer, or if they are taking a different tack I think it could be better shown / explained. In the show he is more of a loose cannon who goes so deep under cover that he only makes contact when he needs something, and it has been implied that others find that hard to trust, but I feel like something more is being hinted at.

Dante Auerbach

Either way, the show is shaping up to be more compelling, and more self-contained within each episode than I originally dared to hope for, and the over-all arc for the season looks like it has strong potential, especially if it is in keeping with the main arc of the novel, which I found thought-provoking and interesting.

The first episode was darker and more conspiracy driven than I prefer, and the sense of conspiracy crops up from time to time, but not so much that it overwhelms the show or its characters. Rather it has come to feel like a puzzle being solved as one man seeks to remember who he was, and what he was like, before he started slipping into these Legends so often and easily.

The novel:

Martin Odum is a one-time CIA field agent turned private detective in Brooklyn, struggling his way through a labyrinth of memories and past identities- “legends” in Agency parlance. But who is Martin Odum? Is he a creation of the Legend Committee at the CIA’s Langley headquarters? Is he suffering from multiple personality disorder, brainwashing, or simply exhaustion?

vs the show:

Sean Bean Stars as an Undercover Agent with One Hell of an Identity Crisis

An undercover agent is plunged into a terrifying mystery over his own identity in TNT‘s intense new drama series Legends, starring Screen Actors Guild Award® winner Sean Bean (Game of Thrones, The Lord of the Rings, Troy). Based on the award-winning book by master spy novelist Robert Littell,

In Legends, Bean plays Martin Odum, an undercover agent working for the FBI’s Deep Cover Operations (DCO) division. Martin has the uncanny ability to transform himself into a completely different person for each job. But he begins to question his own identity when a mysterious stranger suggests that Martin isn’t the man he believes himself to be.

Legends also stars Ali Larter (Heroes) as Crystal McGuire, a fellow operative who has a history with Martin; Morris Chestnut (American Horror Story, Nurse Jackie) as Tony Rice, a smart, quick-witted and charming DCO agent; Tina Majorino (Grey’s Anatomy, Veronica Mars, True Blood) as Maggie Harris, the newest member of the DCO team; Steve Harris (The Practice, Awake) as Nelson Gates, the director of the DCO Task Force; and Amber Valletta (Revenge) as Sonya Odum, Martin’s ex-wife; and Mason Cook (The Lone Ranger) as Martin’s pre-teen son, Aiden.

As Martin tries to find answers to the questions about his identity, he must also continue his primary job as an undercover operative, taking on such roles as a Serbian extremist, a Scottish soccer club executive, a corrupt Chicago police officer, British special forces colonel and a legendary computer hacker. There are many times, however, when he must choose between the demands of his job and his desperate desire to solve the mystery of his own identity. And he doesn’t always make the right choice.

Legends airs Wednesdays at 9 p.m. (ET/PT) on TNT

Connect with TNT’s Legends

Website: http://LegendsTNT.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LegendsTNT
Twitter: http://twitter.com/LegendsTNT

Thursday July 24 – Day 1 of the San Diego Comic-Con International 2014 Endurance Test

Long time attendees of San Diego’s Comic-Con International have watched it change, grow and evolve over the years. Rooms that once housed other conventions are now a part of the Comic-Con… rooms that once did not exist have been built as the convention center expanded in an attempt to keep pace with this phenomenal event. The simple truth is the convention has grown to the point you simply can not do everything, see everything, take in everything. You have to make choices, sometimes they feel easy, but more often than not, they feel incredibly difficult.

Tina Majorino

After a few hours on the exhibit hall floor today I went to room 6A and watched TNT shine. My first panel of the convention was Legends. The new Sean Bean television show.

For those who have been reading my articles for a long time, you will know I try to avoid spoilers, and giving away twists, turns and bits best left for you to discover and the story naturally unfolds, and yet I want to tempt you into seeing interesting and good entertainment.

Simply put, here is what TNT sent out that tempted me into the room:

Screen Actors Guild Award® winner Sean Bean (Game of Thrones, The Lord of the Rings) stars in Legends, TNT’s new, suspense-filled drama based on the award-winning book by master spy novelist Robert Littell. Bean plays Martin Odum, an undercover agent working for the FBI’s Deep Cover Operations (DCO) division. Martin has the uncanny ability to transform himself into a completely different person for each job. But he begins to question his own identity when a mysterious stranger suggests that Martin isn’t the man he believes himself to be. Legends also stars Ali Larter (Heroes) as Crystal Quest, a fellow operative who has a history with Martin; Morris Chestnut (American Horror Story, Nurse Jackie) as Tony Cimarro, a smart, quick-witted and charming DCO agent; Tina Majorino (Grey’s Anatomy, True Blood) as Maggie Harris, the newest member of the DCO team; Steve Harris (The Practice, Awake) as Nelson Gates, the director of the DCO Task Force; and Amber Valletta (Revenge) as Sonya Odum, Martin’s ex-wife; and Mason Cook (The Lone Ranger) as Martin’s pre-teen son, Aiden.

Cast of Legends at San Diego’s Comic-Con International 2014

The first episode is a drama, a bit dark and moody, while I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I can not wait to see where it goes next, the tone was not quite what I expected… then again, that may be part of what has me so incredibly curious to see what happens next!

Ali Larter pointed out that this is a show where her character, Crystal, follows rules, and lives by them, but Sean Bean’s character, Martin, is purely instinct driven, a trait that often creates messes she has to come along behind him to clean up. That conflict between order and chaos opens up countless interesting drama opportunities.

Tina Majorino, who passed an FBI Physical Training course when preparing for the role, because she wanted to see what they went through, though she admitted it was not easy, referred to Deep Cover work as “a calling, not a career choice.” That was a trait in Martin that was very clear throughout the first episode, and another reason I want to tune in again and again.

One of the panelists referred to this as a character not case driven FBI show, where another referred to the Martin character as having a willful multiple personality disorder.

Now that is what I call unique and interesting programming.

The Last Ship Cast Members sitting down for their panel at San Diego’s Comic Con International 2014

After the TNT Legends panel was the TNT The Last Ship panel. The Last Ship is a show that has already aired 5 episodes, with another 5 set to air in this first season, and, as was mentioned on the panel, it has already been picked up for a second season on TNT, with 13 episodes.

Earlier this month I posted about The Last Ship, which is based on a novel by William Brinkley. It is no surprise that attending this panel was high on my list of things I wanted to do while at Comic-Con International. For those unfamiliar with the show, here’s the blurb from TNT:

TNT’s action-packed drama The Last Ship, cable’s #1 new series for the year-to-date, stars Eric Dane (Grey’s Anatomy) and is executive-produced by blockbuster filmmaker Michael Bay (Transformers). The Last Ship opens with a global catastrophe that nearly decimates the world’s population. Because of its positioning, the Navy destroyer U.S.S. Nathan James avoids falling victim to the devastating tragedy. But now, Captain Tom Chandler (Dane) and his crew must confront the reality of their new existence in a world where they may be among the few remaining survivors. Rhona Mitra (Strike Back) plays Rachel Scott, a strong-willed, intelligent and fearless paleomicrobiologist assigned to the ship. Adam Baldwin (Firefly, Chuck) is XO Mike Slattery, a former homicide detective and Chandler’s second-in-command. Also starring in The Last Ship are Travis Van Winkle (Heart of Dixie), Charles Parnell (Pariah),Christina Elmore (Fruitvale Station),Sam Spruell (Snow White and The Huntsman) and Marissa Neitling (Leverage). Based on William Brinkley’s popular novel, The Last Ship comes to TNT from Bay’s Platinum Dunes and its partners, Brad Fuller and Andrew Form, whose credits include the upcoming Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Bay, Fuller and Form serve as executive producers, along with showrunner Hank Steinberg (Without a Trace, The Nine), Steven Kane (The Closer) and director Jack Bender (Lost). Steinberg and Kane wrote the series pilot, which was directed by Jonathan Mostow (U-571).

The panel was a treat for a variety of reasons. It was mentioned early on that the world would expand as the season continues and the audience will get to see what the world looks like in this new era. The officers and sailors are on this ship, in some ways confined to it and unaware of what is going on beyond it, but they will make contact with land, meet others, and we will begin to learn more about the world around them.

Adam Baldwin

Adam Baldwin did an excellent job discussing the role of the XO on aboard a ship. As one of the writers pointed out, in the natural course of events, he was on track to be Captain in a year or more, he is fully capable of Captaining the ship. As Adam Baldwin put it, he and the Captain are peers among peers with a mutual respect for one another, but as XO it is his job not only to support his Captain, but also to play Devil’s Advocate.

Everyone on the panel spoke very highly of the Navy personnel they have worked with while making the show, of their time aboard a Navy ship to film some of the show, of working with some Officers and Seals, and generally of how much respect they had for our men and women in uniform. It was clear this show, and their roles in it matter to them a great deal.

Cast of the Last Ship

When asked if the actors had any military connections Eric Dane mentioned his Uncle and Father having served in Vietnam, and Travis Van Winkle said his parents met in the Air Force.

By the time the panel was over the entire audience was on an emotional high, combined with something akin to an adrenaline rush. Scene promoting the next episode were shown, we had seen a recap of all the episodes to date, and the energy in the room was so enthusiastic it was easy to understand how The Last Ship had already been renewed for a second season.

2014 – Beyond the Convention Center in San Diego

With each passing year of San Diego’s Comic Con International, the convention which once comfortably shared the current convention center with other conventions, now even with the convention center expanded to twice the size it once was, the convention over flows into many surrounding hotels and venues.

This year, the Omni Hotel will house a playback room, for overflow crowds who were unable to make it into some of the most anticipated panels. Gotham City will be recreated, in miniature, between the convention center and the Hilton Bayfront Hotel and fans will be able to zip-line through it (130 feet long, and 30 feet off the ground!)

The parking lot beside Petco Park has for the past several years been home to a little village of fun to stop by experiences. Last year Falling Skies and Gravity, with a 3D trailer available for viewing, were highlights.

Over on 2nd Street (across the Trolley Tracks from the Marriott, roughly) will be the Vikings of History Channel, returning for a second year, and a third season. Take some time to go get made up as a Viking, and maybe even walk away with a souvenir from your time in the past.

Pop-up stores are a Comic-Con phenomenon that can be hard to explain to someone who has never attended a convention of this sort, but if you see one, take a moment to go in — or stand in line. You may get green screened into a scene from your favorite movie, or immersed in one of the key locations from a movie, you may find yourself in an art gallery, or product show room (often with food and drink available) ala last years appearance by Samsung Galaxy — which hosted a Veronica Mars party during Comic-Con. You might also find yourself standing next to someone far more interesting than you ever imagined, like one of the stars of one of your favorite TV shows.

Throughout the gaslamp district, which across the Trolley Tracks and up 5th street, from the Convention Center you will find dozens, perhaps hundreds of food options, and tens of thousands of hungry convention goers. Fortunately not everyone eats on the same schedule, as mealtimes bend around panel times.

In previous years Syfy has re-branded the restaurant in the Hard Rock hotel based on one or more of the SyFy shows. During the days of the tv show Eureka the restaurant was Cafe Diem (from the show), complete with the barstools fans recognized from countless scenes. This year Tin Fish is anticipated to have a Blacklist tie-in.

This re-branding can be seen in lots of different places and ways. From the elevators in nearby hotels, to the exteriors of many buildings with facades – sometimes changing within a day based on the event going on, all the way out to the airport this year, which will feature TNTs Legends.

The skyline of San Diego visibly changes during Comic-Con, banners that decorate the sides of hotels and buildings can be seen from Cabrillo National Monument across the bay, which is several miles away as the crow flies.