SpoilerTV

Terriers - a Beautiful Mess

by Cindy Roland

Have you ever met someone you couldn’t stay away from? I’m not talking about someone who is attractive and has it all together. That would be too easy. Nope, I’m talking about someone whose life is such a complete mess that your head is telling you to run in the opposite direction as fast as you can but your heart is telling you to stick around because this person is really something special. Yeah, you know the one I’m talking about – like a moth to a flame.

You can’t put your finger on it but there was something so unique about this loser you couldn’t help but fall in love with them. A few reasons.
• They make you feel better about yourself because you haven’t gotten that far down yet.
• It might be a chance for redemption from your past mistakes.
• You probably suffer from a mother hen complex. An absolute need to make it all better.

Whatever the reason is, you just can’t give up on them, no matter what they have done to screw things up this time. They’ve captured your heart for all time. Now, double that and you have Hank and Britt from Terriers, brilliantly portrayed by Donal Logue and Michael Raymond-James respectively.

These guys are a mess. Their entire lives have been a series of f*ck ups and let downs and they have no one to blame but themselves. Somehow in their tangled and tattered lives they managed to collide into one another at their lowest point. They’ve turned into each other’s crutch and together start to slowly crawl out of the deep dark hole they dug themselves into. They certainly haven’t gotten out yet but it hasn’t stopped either one of them from trying. My favorite catch phrase when I watch Terriers every week (religiously) is to shout at my television screen: “Aw damn, why did you go and do that?”

You come to expect them to do something illegal, awful or just plain dumb and they don’t disappoint. They never do anything purposely to hurt anyone besides themselves. It’s hard to explain but in the back of your mind your biggest fear is that they might do something bad enough to be taken out of your life and you’ll never see them again. Does that make sense? Probably not. It doesn’t even make sense to me. You just love them and their messed up lives so much because they are trying so damn hard. Everyone loves someone who has the worst life and tries harder than the rest to achieve a better one. You can’t help but cheer them on.

Hank is a former cop and recovering alcoholic who managed to lose his job and his beloved wife because he couldn’t keep his head out of a whiskey bottle. Every day he lives with his loss and battles to keep sober despite the rough roads he travels on daily. Britt was a petty break and enter thief with a skill for being able to steal just about anything nailed down or not. He hasn’t lost his skills but he uses them in a positive way now. The temptation to turn bad is always nipping at his heels and he’s managed to leave old habits behind. Last week we found out that Hank was the one who took Britt under his wing at the lowest point in Hank’s career and the end of the line for Britt. It was fate. Two losers who managed to find one another just when they needed each other the most.

Together they have formed the most pathetic PI firm you could ever imagine, so they take on some pretty sleazy or just plain desperate clients. They try to make a difference and sometimes they win but they have their share of losses too. Regardless the outcome, they never stop trying and they always look at life philosophically with a dry sense of humor. Their company car is a rundown rust bucket mini Ford pickup. Both of them look like they just crawled out of bed, no matter what time it is. The San Diego background is fun but if you’re looking for glamour and fashion, obviously this is not for you.

Terriers is filled with dark humor and raw emotion. Once you get hooked there’s no turning back. I shake my head and watch gap jawed as they weasel their way deeper under my skin and further into my heart every week. You will love these guys no matter how hard you try not to.

Why Terriers? I wondered the same thing but it didn’t take me long to figure that one out. I am the proud owner of a terrier breed. She is the smartest, most lovable clown of a dog who manages to make me laugh every day. I can’t look at her without smiling. I can say that now but it was tough getting there.

Unless you train them, terriers have no boundaries. They don’t know how small they are and they don’t take no for an answer. Terriers are certain that they know better than you what’s best for them. It takes them a long time with lots of firm reprimands and TLC until they finally get it. Terriers take longer than most breeds to reach maturity and even then, there is a puppy-like quality about them always. They only have love in their hearts and want to make you happy and life to be good while believing immediate gratification is the answer to everything. They’re smart to a fault and once they learn something, they never forget it. Wonderful dogs and I wouldn’t trade mine for the world but I’d think twice before I adopted another terrier puppy. Terriers are a lot of work physically and emotionally. I’m not sure I’d have the energy to do it all over again.

Hank and Britt are Terriers. They offer an emotionally intensive commitment and the reward is always questionable but worth it. Once you let them worm their way into your soul you're a goner.

Every episode these two lovable mishaps learn and grow but you know they will always hold on to that child-like innocence which makes you keep coming back for more.

Please do yourself and your heart a favor and watch Terriers on FX. You will never regret it. http://www.fxnetworks.com/shows/originals/terriers/

My only hope is that FX recognizes the jewel that is Terriers and keeps it on the air for another season. Filled with some of the best writing and acting you will ever experience.

Woof Woof!