CIA agent Joe tries to balance her personal and professional life as the spearhead in the agency’s war on terror. Real-life military advisors helped achieve a more authentic execution of weapons handling, house clearing, positioning, squad-based activity, etc. Mr. Sheridan knows how to take us into testosterone-fueled macho worlds, with no cliches and seemingly no intention. It is what it is.
His characters are always grounded, and he’s extremely adept at casting. But to be great, you have to write good roles for women. The writing has to be just as good, if not better, than for men. Guys are easy. Women are smarter and more complex.
Beth on Yellowstone (great character and performance), the Barrel Riders, the lone female ranch hand (the fantastic Jen Landon as Teeter), all great female characters who fit into the world of the story in a natural, unforced way. Not just “the partner of…” or T&A. He upped his game with the excellent character Faith Hill, who was crushed in “1883,” followed by Dame Mirren in the misfire of “1923.” Now we have Zoe Saldana doing some of the best work of her career. I’m definitely buying her an open marriage as the CIA boss (nice touch). I view De Oliveira as a broken woman with a burning rage that won’t quit, and thank you, thank you, thank you writers/directors/producers for NOT letting her get the best of a male comrade with an extra 100 pounds of muscle.
First and foremost, veracity! I think her character is much more interesting when she’s someone who needs to be knocked unconscious or simply overpowered on the ground before she gives up. Now, are we talking about Jill Wagner, or should I talk about her hair? From cheesy Hallmark smut to super badass special forces? I buy it.
Lanier as the mean teenage daughter. I’ll wait for the story arc that’s being laid out for this loose canon, as long as they continue to stay away from teen angst cliches. Good actor, it could get interesting…