400 replies to this topic

[speedroc]

Just saw this on MAX last night and thought it was pretty awesome. Didn't see a thread for it so decided to start one. I never saw the original six part series and read they made the "usual" changes that "we" do, but it had the level of gratuitous sex, violence, and action I love, so I'm in.

[TiffanyNichelle]

This is a remake? I had no idea. I watched it last night and thought it would just be a little "whatever" but I got hooked. Yeah there was way more sex than I would have guessed (but yay for seeing both leads butts....very nice indeed) and the violence was a little over the top. But I really liked it!

[TheRave1972]

It's not a remake, it's the second season of a series that originated in the UK. Looks like the only link to the first season is John Porter (who was the protagonist of season one)...he's the one who was captured and killed by Latif's crew.

Interesting thing about the two main operatives: Damian Scott (the American) is played by an Australian, and Michael Stonebridge (the Brit) is played by an American.

Edited by TheRave1972, Aug 14, 2011 @ 5:43 AM.

[speedroc]

It's not a remake, it's the second season of a series that originated in the UK.

Are you familiar with the first season? I read that it was only six episodes but it was very good. Any reason why they (other than it being Americanized) wrote out Richard (John Porter) Armitage?

I watched the second episode and and it was just as good as the first. The funny thing is that after reading a recap of the show, the reviewer suggested that we should've guessed Latif from the outset, but not only did the initial red herring throw me off, I only figured out who Mahmood was, not the real Latif. So that pissed me off even more when he killed her. This show is like an R rated 24!!

Edited by speedroc, Aug 14, 2011 @ 4:31 AM.

[TheRave1972]

I haven't seen the first season, since it hasn't been released in the States. I was interested enough after watching the first episode to read up on it, though. I gleaned what I posted before between IMDB and Wikipedia.

It looks like Porter's role will be limited because of Richard Armitage having a role in The Hobbit. (So my speculation is that even though Porter is dead, we haven't seen the last of him.)

[ruths]

I saw the first season and the second season doesn't really seem like the same show. The "sex, violence, and action" was a little less gratuitous in the first season, the tone was more cynical, and I think the acting was better. I turned into this for more of that and more Richard Armitage so I was a bit disappointed five minutes in. Also, the first season ended on a cliffhanger, unresolved at the start of season two, where US special forces (I think) were about to kill Porter, (spoiled for those who might like to see the first season). All that being said, this version of Strike Back, so far, is a blast, gratuitous sex, violence and action and naked male butts and all, so I'm glad I tuned in...

eta - "The Hobbit" better be a damned good movie since it seems the reason we lost Armitage from Strike Back and Aidan Turner from Being Human!

Edited by ruths, Aug 14, 2011 @ 8:07 AM.

[speedroc]

I haven't seen the first season, since it hasn't been released in the States. I was interested enough after watching the first episode to read up on it, though. I gleaned what I posted before between IMDB and Wikipedia.

It looks like Porter's role will be limited because of Richard Armitage having a role in The Hobbit.

Thanks.

I saw the first season and the second season doesn't really seem like the same show. The "sex, violence, and action" was a little less gratuitous in the first season, the tone was more cynical, and I think the acting was better.

eta - "The Hobbit" better be a damned good movie since it seems the reason we lost Armitage from Strike Back and Aidan Turner from Being Human!

I'm glad you mentioned Being Human as that was the example I wanted to use (and worry about that with Lost Girl) in comparison with this show.

[Calchal]

I maybe in the minority but I preferred these opening two episodes to the episodes of S1.

Agreed, the cast might not be as strong as Armitage and Lincoln, but the two leads aren't bad.

[ragincajun67]

Season 1 is up on YouTube for the time being. It is much more like MI:5/Spooks than this new season, but both are entertaining IMO.

[GG63]

Thanks speedroc for starting the thread.

I really enjoyed the first show and had problems trying to see the second one last week on HBO online. Anyone else have that problem or maybe it was just me. Glad to read that the second episode is as good as the first one (of the second season).

I didn't realize this was the second season until I imdb'd it. Anyone know if it's out on DVD and is it available in that form here in Canada or the U.S.? I'll have to check it out on YouTube I guess for the time being. Are you allowed to say what it's listed under or is it straight forward if I look for Strike Back season 1?

Really like the two lead actors and so very age appropriate I can lust after them without feeling the slightest bit pervy.

I haven't seen the first season, since it hasn't been released in the States.

Is HBO not carrying in the U.S? We're getting it up here on Friday nights on HBO Canada.

[speedroc]

I really enjoyed the first show and had problems trying to see the second one last week on HBO online. Anyone else have that problem or maybe it was just me.

Try watching it on MAXGO instead. That's where I saw it and I had no problems.

[GG63]

Try watching it on MAXGO instead.

Thanks, I'll give that a try.

Wonder why HBO didn't start with the first season? I know up here there have been ads for this show for at least two months if not more talking about an original action series coming from HBO. A little odd they didn't start at the beginning. Oh well.

[rove3]

I turned into this for more of that and more Richard Armitage so I was a bit disappointed five minutes in.

Same here. I did like it enough to tune in again this week but yeah, total bummer that RA's character bought it so early on. I definitely want to check out S1 now though.

[vb68]

I thought HBO was going to rerun the episodes after they premiered on MAX? At least I thought I heard that between shows on HBO.

Interesting thing about the two main operatives: Damian Scott (the American) is played by an Australian, and Michael Stonebridge (the Brit) is played by an American.

I love things like that!

Edited by vb68, Aug 19, 2011 @ 12:27 PM.

[GG63]

Does anyone know anything about the theme song? Is it an original for the show or is a song that is just being used by the show. If it's just being used by the show can anyone tell me who sings it?

Onto tonight's episode. I was thinking it was fun and of course did the usual suspension of belief for certain scenes. I was enjoying my eye candy and rooting for the two main characters and then the last 7 or so minutes of the episode happen. Did they really have to go there? I'm going to spoiler this until I find out if the show has aired in the U.S. already. Why did they have to make Michael into such a dick? Last episode we're seeing his wife taking temperatures and them having sex to "make a baby" and now this? Really? Really? Yes I'm pissed off! Why did they have to have one of the main characters I was rooting for and crushing on into an adulterer? Was that really necessary? Did they figure people wouldn't want Michael and his wife to have great married sex?

I will of course keep watching as I do like the show and am now intrigued to see if I can figure out who the traitor is. However I will no longer feel badly if Michael is hurt in the process of finding said traitor. In fact I'll probably enjoy it quite a bit.

edited to remove spoiler bars as it looks like the episode has now aired in the U.S.

Edited by GG63, Aug 20, 2011 @ 4:55 PM.

[speedroc]

Does anyone know anything about the theme song?

I know it's awesome.

[GG63]

Thanks speedroc. Checked out some of their other songs and I'll be checking out my favourite music stores for their music. Always enjoy discovering new musicians.

[TiffanyNichelle]

I was surprised that I was so surprised over finding out that Stonebridge was sleeping with Kate. Mostly because right before that scene I was thinking that how nice it was to have a flat out Good Guy on the show. Except now he's a cheater. Boo!

I also didn't expect the twist of Latif being there the whole time in the Crib.

[speedroc]

I also didn't expect the twist of Latif being there the whole time in the Crib.

This shocked the hell out of me. I didn't see it coming at all.

I was surprised that I was so surprised over finding out that Stonebridge was sleeping with Kate.

As a man, there was no need for suspension of disbelief here with me in this situation. So I wasn't surprised.

[GG63]

I was thinking that how nice it was to have a flat out Good Guy on the show. Except now he's a cheater. Boo!

I just took off my spoiler bars for my post about this. I'm just a little p.o'd that the show went there. Nice to see someone else agrees with me.

As a man, there was no need for suspension of disbelief here with me in this situation. So I wasn't surprised.

Too funny. I guess as a woman I was hoping for something better. Yes I'm a romantic at heart so it didn't cross my mind at all he'd be a cheater. I definitely didn't see that coming.

[giftcard]

I loved the first season and feel like this is a totally different show. Don't get me wrong, I'm enjoying season 2 but it's just so different.

I also did not see the Latif reveal coming at all -- I was so surprised (which was totally awesome b/c I can usually see those things coming a mile away). And I'm also pissed that Stonebridge is cheating on his wife. Before that he was my favourite out of the two leads but now I prefer Scott. He's a dog but at least he's honest about it.

Love the opening credits! Kind of a James Bond vibe going. That song is wicked -- Short Change Hero by The Heavy has just been added to my current iTunes playlist.

RIP John Porter. I love you long time.

[swansong]

The cheating surprised me although it probably shouldn't since I got a vibe he wasn't exactly all there in the marriage. I was bothered that he seemed pretty involved with the other woman (still haven't learnt names yet) and yet was still planning a baby with his wife.

I also didn't expect the twist of Latif being there the whole time in the Crib.

In the first episode I thought the guy might turn out to be helping the terrorists in some way, but it didn't occur to me he was the guy they were looking for until the reveal.

[GG63]

I know it was meant to be a "serious scene", but was I the only one who laughed when Damien watched the terrorist cutting the wire, yells and Michael comes in just in the nick of time and catches the bomb? I'll have to re-watch, but it looked like he caught it and slid along the floor with it. The look on Damien and Michael's faces was priceless.

...but now I prefer Scott. He's a dog but at least he's honest about it.

So true. It was really hilarious to see the look on Michael's face as he realized that Damien actually hit on two women in the short time he was in the bar. Damien makes no excuses and we have yet to see him make any promises to any of the women he's been with unlike Michael.

Can anyone clear up what kind of flashbacks Michael was having when he woke up? It looked like most of them were when John was getting shot and during his captivity. However I thought I saw some of Michael looking confused and by himself. Was I imagining these? Was there more to these flashbacks that will eventually come to light? It's obvious that Damien trusts Michael otherwise he wouldn't have told him all the things he did at the end of the episode. However, I wonder how he came to the conclusion he could trust Michael? Wonder how long it will take before we get an inkling as to who the inside person is? Partly because he's screwing around with her, but after hearing about a mole I immediately thought of the blonde and think she's a possibility for this role. Pure speculation on my part. I'm usually wrong for this kind of thing but have fun trying to guess.

[giftcard]

I know it was meant to be a "serious scene", but was I the only one who laughed when Damien watched the terrorist cutting the wire, yells and Michael comes in just in the nick of time and catches the bomb? I'll have to re-watch, but it looked like he caught it and slid along the floor with it. The look on Damien and Michael's faces was priceless.

I almost died when this happened b/c I was eating dinner and choked b/c I started laughing. Loved Michael sliding on the floor while holding a warhead.

Can anyone clear up what kind of flashbacks Michael was having when he woke up? It looked like most of them were when John was getting shot and during his captivity. However I thought I saw some of Michael looking confused and by himself.

I thought it was him (Michael) boxing as well as images of John but honestly found the whole thing a little confusing.

[swansong]

but was I the only one who laughed when Damien watched the terrorist cutting the wire, yells and Michael comes in just in the nick of time and catches the bomb? I'll have to re-watch, but it looked like he caught it and slid along the floor with it. The look on Damien and Michael's faces was priceless.

No you weren't.

[TheRave1972]

GG63: I know it was meant to be a "serious scene", but was I the only one who laughed when Damien watched the terrorist cutting the wire, yells and Michael comes in just in the nick of time and catches the bomb? I'll have to re-watch, but it looked like he caught it and slid along the floor with it. The look on Damien and Michael's faces was priceless.

Right when Damien disconnected the battery I said, "Don't tell me someone's gonna have to catch that warhead." Sure enough, show went there. I LOLed too.

GG63: Can anyone clear up what kind of flashbacks Michael was having when he woke up? It looked like most of them were when John was getting shot and during his captivity.

I may have to re-watch those parts, but I thought Michael's flashbacks were specifically the parts of the video that Damien had decoded.

[FinnishViewer]

I also didn't expect the twist of Latif being there the whole time in the Crib.

What's interesting is that the Indian general who handled the hostage crisis identified Latif as Pakistan ISI when he first came to the crib.

So, either the general just guessed Latif being Pakistan ISI based on his looks, or knew that he's Latif, and he's in cahoot with Latif.

[GG63]

I may have to re-watch those parts, but I thought Michael's flashbacks were specifically the parts of the video that Damien had decoded.

That would make sense. I still haven't had a chance to re-check but hopefully will soon.

speedroc thanks again for identifying the band for the opening credits. It seems now that I know who they are I've been hearing their song "What do you think of me now" (I think that's the title) all over the place. Heard it the other night when I saw a preview of Maria Bello's new show. I'll be listening more closely now when the music appears on this show to see if they're going to use any more of the band's songs other than just in their theme song.

[speedroc]

speedroc thanks again for identifying the band for the opening credits.

No problem.

[ragincajun67]

Liam M*therf*cking Cunningham?!?!? I love him. He's going to be in Game of Thrones next season, too. This show continues to surprise & delight me in a low-brow, no expectations kind of way. That armoured truck heist scene was intense.