KINGS: Insurrection

I know that I said from the beginning that I loved KINGS and was very angry when it got low ratings. “Insurrection” was an excellent indication as to why, so I’m kind of expecting that when the ratings come out tomorrow and they’re horribly low that I will throw things. Preferably things that break, to give my anger more effect.

The main plot of this week’s episode centered largely on an ‘insurrection’ by the people whose land is being given to Gath in exchange for peace. But as I’ve mentioned before, the main plot takes a back seat to the character interactions that take place in connection to the big issue. We get to see Jack try a bold move to get his father’s attention, David fight with his conscious about the King’s decision, Princess Puppy be petulant as per usual, and Silas be generally awesome. But before I get into that, can I ask just how large Gilboa is? It seems like everything is within 20 minute driving distance, be it Port Prosperity or the random river he goes fly fishing in. It’s very “24”-like in that respect sometimes.

Want to know the most surprising part of the episode? That Silas was awesome! No, I kid; we expect that. I was actually surprised that I liked David’s arc this week. The writers went and did exactly what I hoped, and gave him a moral dilemma that he came down on the wrong side of. I felt sure he was going to go to Port Prosperity and do what HE wanted rather than what the King wanted. But he didn’t, which I think was good as his recent streak of increasingly outlandish insubordination I was sure would end with him pistol-whipping someone. Maybe just because I enjoy a good pistol-whipping. It was interesting to see him struggle within himself about whether it was more right to follow his King or to help his family, and it was more interesting that he chose the King at the possible loss of his brother. I’m curious to see how far he’ll follow Silas.

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KINGS: First Night

Everyone do a happy dance that KINGS hasn’t been canceled yet! I’ll try not to sound too gloom-and-doomy about it every week, although I do hope the ratings get an uptick sometime.

Now that that’s out of the way, lets get down to it. This week’s episode of KINGS steps back on the epicness that the past two weeks have had, and instead focuses more on the nature of royalty. The show opens with the first night of the Shiloh ballet, which has all been organized by Queen Rose. David gets uninvited from the show because he is drawing more attention than the King, and Prince Jack takes him out on the town instead. Meanwhile, the King’s illegitimate heir is very, very sick.

One of my favorite scenes in “First Night” was when Queen Rose explains to Princess Puppy that their role as royalty is not to necessarily be happy, but to be figures that the kingdom looks up to. Again the Queen is shown to be incredibly savvy to matters of image and perception. She has crafted the monarchy so that they may maintain power, and she will continue to take any steps necessary to insure that that doesn’t change. She’s just so regal, it’s awesome. I would bet good money that it was the Queen that leaked the pictures of David kissing random-princess-clone, since it’s clear she does not approve of the princess and the hero shacking up. One thing I could not decide is how much the Queen knows about the king’s mistress. Her facial expressions were hard to read, but I feel like she can’t be blind to this given how aware of everything else she is.

I’ve also decided that I really like Prince Jack. Above and beyond the fact that he’s handsome, I am fascinated by his tortured nature. The scenes with his boyfriend were kind of heartbreaking, especially the last look the two of them shared when the boyfriend gets thrown out of the club. You can tell the boyfriend was willing to jump through all of those hoops just to be with Jack, and not because Jack was the Prince but because Jack was Jack. And the last scene of Jack watching David walk away because “he’s in love and doesn’t know how to let go,” where you could see a mix of resentment, anger, envy, and most importantly hurt play across the prince’s face was also very heartbreaking. Sebastian Stan does a good job of showing many emotions in his face, which gives his character a lot of depth. I like to think that Jack didn’t release the photos because on some level he respects David for being a good (if boring) person. I’m sure we’ll find out who really released them next week.

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KINGS: Prosperity

“No CGI pigeons were harmed in the making of this episode”

Before I start in on the review, can I just say how cool it is to have a review up on the internet, with people reading and commenting on it? Thanks everyone! And I apologize for the delay. Stupid work crisis. Next week I’ll do better (assuming KINGS is still on next week).

This week’s episode of KINGS revolved around the signing of the peace treaty with Gath, which David set in motion last week. The palace is preparing to host the visiting dignitaries, and everyone is trying to be on their best behavior. Except of course David who can apparently act with impunity whenever the ‘signs’ dictate it. I was going to leave this rant until later in the review, but his insubordinate behavior takes me out of the story sometimes. Grabbing the premier? Ramming his taxi into the hummer? I don’t care what kind of national hero he is, either of these actions should at least earn him some sort of punishment. He is first and foremost a soldier in the army, and he should be expected to follow orders. I understand that Silas forgives him for certain things because he helps in the long run, but it stretches believability for me.

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KINGS: A Mission to Save the Kingdom

Move over Silas, there’s a new King in town.  Please allow me to officially welcome King Mattie B to Team GMMR.  Mattie B. will be taking over the reigns (get it reign, reigns…no? ok) on providing the weekly review of NBC’s newest drama, KINGS. I had hoped to take on this show myself but with THE AMAZING RACE and BROTHER & SISTERS, my Sunday nights are already pretty busy. I’ll be chiming and contributing to the discussion along with all you in the comments.

KINGS premiered last week to mixed reviews and less than stellar ratings, but having seen the first four episodes I’m encouraging you to stick with it.  It’s far from perfect but it’s risky and different enough that my the end of the fourth episode I found myself completely enthralled by the story.

If you missed last week’s premiere you can watch it below.  When you’re done read Mattie’s take on the first episode.  Be sure to watch a new episode of KINGS at 8pm tonight on NBC and then come back tomorrow to read Mattie’s take and share your opinion on this new show.

Please be sure to kindly welcome Matt to GMMR.

Watch last week’s premiere of KINGS right here on GMMR.

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Last Sunday, for those of you who missed it (which, given the ratings, is the majority), was the premiere of “Kings” on NBC. The story is set in the fictional kingdom of Gilboa, which is ruled by King Silas (played impeccably by Ian McShane of “Deadwood” fame). The recently unified Gilboa is at war with is neighbor, Gath. The war, while a burden on its people is deepy rooted in a powerful political game.  But when a young soldier named David Shepherd crosses into the enemy’s war zone to free fellow soldier’s being held hostage he becomes a national hero.  When it’s revealed that one of the hostages rescued is the son of King Silas, young David Shepherd is thrust into the middle of a different kind of war, one that brings his great gifts at a great price.

The show-runners I think did a very good job of setting up this alternate universe, complete with a military and socialites and a cool looking city. Granted the city is really just NYC with a few extra buildings CGI’d in, and apparently there are just no commoners on the street near the palace, but that is forgivable because you can see they gave serious thought to how this society should function.

KINGS has a multi-layered plots that involve various characters in the most interesting ways. Subplots include an illegitimate heir to the thrown, a crown prince with a secret, and a plot by the King’s brother-in-law to stay in power whatever the cost. As with any good soap opera each plot is interwoven into the main plot, and we can already see these things having ramifications on the main characters.

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