Graceland - B-Positive - Preview: “Save Me”
25 Jun 2015
AM Graceland ReviewsGraceland and I have had a love/hate relationship since the beginning. Sometimes I love what Graceland does and sometimes the randomness frustrates me to no end. I’ve tried to give up on this show at least a half dozen times and it keeps dragging me back in. Just prior to the Season 2 finale I was ready to walk away from the show once and for all until they hit me with that amazing season finale. After an oddly paced season the show suddenly remembered the core character relationships that make Graceland great and they had me firmly on the hook again. After viewing the Season 3 premiere I’m glad this show and I worked through our problems because this was every bit as good as the Season 2 finale. The biggest question is going to be whether or not they can maintain this pattern throughout the whole season.
B-Positive is Graceland at its very best as it focuses on the characters and the bonds between them. This show is lucky to have the cast they do because they can handle just about anything thrown at them. In the premiere they throw some big things at Serinda Swan and she makes Paige stand to the challenge. She gave many stellar performances last season throughout an intense storyline and she does not disappoint here. In fact, the entire cast rallied to deliver a great episode. Special notice to Daniel Sunjata who is right on par with Serinda this week in terms of what was thrown at him. Neither actor gets a moment to rest in this episode and they deliver one strong powerful performance after another. To get you through until Thursday here are some things you can look forward to seeing from each character.
Mike (Aaron Tveit), I could tell you his fate, but that would probably make this my last post ever. What I can tell you is that the answer regarding his fate is provided very early on in the episode following a ten day time jump.
Paul (Daniel Sunjata) has his hands full throughout the episode. He not only has to deal with Mike’s fate, but he also has to deal with a potential exit from Graceland. To top it off he has a new boss on his case that isn’t willing to play within Paul’s game book. He gets into a pretty tight spot and he’s quite literally on his own to deal with it. His day isn’t improved when a certain object from last season falls into less then favorable hands.
Johnny (Manny Montana) has a lot of supportive work to do this week, but when he gets his chance to shine he does. He has a heartbreaking reunion that doesn’t end quite the way some would hope. Look for him to be involved in a surprising act near the end which will cause many questions to be raised.
Paige (Serinda Swan), as I mentioned above, gets a lot thrown at her this week. Last season left her in a dark place and this season does nothing to improve on that. She can’t catch a break and to say she is in a tailspin would be an understatement. She is attacked and injured all before she throws herself into multiple dangerous and reckless situations. I look forward to watching her story unfold as they’ve setup quite an interesting arc for her this season.
DJ (Brandon Jay McLaren) spends the episode trying to normalize things around the house. He just wants the rest of the team to follow the chore wheel, but that is easier said than done while everyone is worried about being killed. Look for him to cope with the situations at hand in his own way which involves a lot of cleaning.
Charlie (Vanessa Ferlito), much like Johnny, is mostly here to support her fellow team members. She has a very good scene with Paige after her attack. I like how she has a realistic streak in her and she isn’t afraid to deliver some reality when needed.
Be prepared for a great return to Graceland as the show wastes no time getting right back into the action. There are some surprises and a lot of drama ahead in this season premiere. If the show can stick to the over arching storyline they setup in this episode then they are on track for a strong season.
Be sure to tune into USA at 10pm on Thursday night to experience the explosive return of Graceland.
Notable Quotes:
“…stop trying to save me!”
“I just put in my transfer papers.”
"He said it was easy. It wasn't actually that easy."
"I think things are a little too hot for us to pull off a homicide."
"Not to mention, we're supposed to be the good guys."
“My doctor says the no drinking line is overblown.”
Graceland is poised to have a very promising season. Are you looking forward to this season? What do you think this season holds for the team?
ReplyDeleteYep, definitely looking forward to S3.
ReplyDeleteCharlie is going to go after that British money launderer that beat her up in the S2 finale. I am looking forward to that. Also eager to see how they resolve Johnny's story line with Lucia and her deranged brother.
ReplyDeleteThat last quote makes me hopeful for Mike but it could be Charlie. I just want Mike to be alright, the show wouldn't be the same without Aaron.
ReplyDeleteThat's a relief to know
ReplyDeleteI'm happy to see i wasn't the only one having a love/hate relationship with this show last season. Your preview gives me hope for this year though so I'll definitely tune in. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteEverything on tv that I don't want spoiled has spoilers that get shoved down my throat, but I still can't find out if Mike lives or dies. If he is dead, I'm out; if he is alive I will try to catch up from where I left off 3-4 episodes into season 2 when Mike's character assassination by the writers finally became unbearable. In any case, not knowing has done me no favors; trying to do that much catching up is a losing battle.
ReplyDeleteDid anyone else notice Mike is in the poster? Would they put him there if he dies in the first episode of the season?
ReplyDeleteDefinitely give this season a chance. If nothing else we can commiserate together if this season loses itself like last season did. I have high hopes for this season though. The season premiere did a very good job setting up a strong foundation for the story to grow on. Now all we can do is watch and see if the show learned from past mistakes.
ReplyDeleteI wish I could tell you Mike's fate, but I really like what I've got going on here. All I can say is while previewers have to string you along the show does not as you get quick resolution in the episode.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree on the character assassination. Mike wasn't the only one who suffered from that treatment last season. I have this feeling, and I hope they don't prove me wrong, that the show has learned from their past mistakes. I'm going into this season hopeful and only time will tell if that is a mistake or not.
I hate to dash hopes, but unfortunately that is not a Mike quote. Luckily the show doesn't string you along for long regarding his fate.
ReplyDeleteThey put Shay on the Chicago Fire posters last season and she didn't survive the season premiere. The people behind network promotional materials like to mess with fans. I'm starting to think it's in their job descriptions.
ReplyDeleteShould be a fun season. They setup a great season with this episode.
ReplyDeleteaslong as they dont whitewash Paige's decision at the end of last season I might give it another chance, though I've assumed Mike is dead until I see otherwise based off the interview they relased after the finale, though I've learned to assume interviews are lieing to me as of late.
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ReplyDeleteThey definitely do not make things easy on Paige so no need to worry about that. You won't have to wait long to learn Mike's fate.
ReplyDeleteOne thing I love about season 2? Paul and Charlie. Sigh. So, of course they had to split them up.
ReplyDelete