Tyrant - Pilot - Advance Preview

Tyrant 1.01 – “Pilot”
(Airs June 24, 10:00 pm e/p)

Barry Al-Fayeed is a Californian pediatrician who also happens to be the second son of a Middle Eastern dictator. Barry reluctantly agrees to return home with his American family for his nephew’s wedding. Events thrust him into the complex and growing pains of a nation straining to break free from dictatorial rule.

Written by Gideon Raff & directed by David Yates

        Tyrant became one of the most exciting projects of the year since its announcement by FX. With Giedon Raff (Prisoners of War), Howard Gordon (X-Files, Homeland) and Craig Wright (Six Feet Under, Brothers & Sisters) behind it, the show is set to be the show of the moment. Verdict?
        The pilot introduces two clans: Barry's (Adam Rayner) American family with his wife Molly (Jennifer Finnigan), and his two children Emma (Anne Winters) and Sammy (Noah Silver). The other part of Barry's family still lives in the Middle East: his brother Jamal (Ashraf Barhom) and parents Khaled (Nasser Faris) and Amira (Alice Krige). The first part of the episode smartly introduces each character in their own environment. Barry's American family is described as ordinary, they are a great landmark for the viewer because there is a real chemistry between the actors. The rest of the family is described as monsters – except Amira – by various acts of barbary and flashbacks of Barry when he was young. But be careful, nothing is what it seems to be! With all these characters, we know from the beginning that Tyrant is mainly a show about family but that's not all. Several characters revolve around the others: a Middle-Eastern journalist and an American couple who will certainly serve the political intrigues.
        Among the large cast of characters, Barry and his brother are the two most interesting right now. Their complex and conflicted relationship is brilliantly exposed through flashbacks. The writers must not disappoint here because the parallel between the two brothers has the potential to be fascinating. The actors have some great stuff here to shine on screen. I just hope the rest of the cast has too because they are a little bit left in the background, except Noah Silver in Sammy's part.

        As for the direction, David Yates did the job. Nothing really spectacular but it is very well thought. The choice of some shots is really interesting and the pilot is just like the characters: a perfect blend between intimacy and magnitude, calm but more and more nervous until the last part of the episode where everything is – almost – settled with a shocking revelation. A lot of people will be shivering during the last minutes of the episode, I can guarantee you that. I can't really discuss the different plots – except that the show is really not manichean – because it would be too spoilerish but I will be happy to discuss it in the next few days with you.
        This show is mainly about family and culture shocks. At the end of the episode, no one can know for sure what Tyrant will become during the rest of the season because a lot is happening during the hour. The direction at the end is still very blurry and it will certainly be a problem for some viewers, but that's actually a smart move because it pushes to watch the next episodes. The world of Tyrant seems so dense that it is not possible to introduce everything in just one episode.

        Tyrant looks paradisiac at first glance until you realize it is actually hell. Powerful and upsetting, Tyrant's pilot is a success.

        TYRANT premieres tonight at 10pm EST on FX.

About the Author - Laurent

Laurent is a 22 years old french student and he is currently studying cinema & television in college. He will review several shows like Tyrant and Wayward Pines. Always exciting about television, his favorite shows are Twin Peaks, Buffy, Damages, The Good Wife, X-Files, Lost, Bron and a lot of other dramas.

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