26 replies to this topic

[myOBSESSIONwithMBTV]

Anyone watching this on Cinemax? Hunted, Cinemax's new international spy thriller from the mind of The X-Files' Frank Spotnitz, premiered 10/19 at 10pm.

The first two episodes already leaked. Its really good.

Edited by myOBSESSIONwithMBTV, Oct 12, 2012 @ 6:18 PM.

[GG63]

It's also going to be showing on the same channel that shows "Strike Back" here in Canada. I believe there is going to be a preview for this show at the end of the season finale of "Strike Back" tonight. I'll definitely be giving this a chance.

[irishmaple]

Super Channel picked it up? Excellent. I checked their website after hearing about the show and I didn't see it listed. Not that their website is particularly informative at the best of times!

[GG63]

Hunted

Award-winning writer and producer Frank Spotnitz (``The X-Files'') is behind this eight-part suspense thriller with an international espionage story line. Melissa George stars as Sam Hunter, an operative for an elite private intelligence firm who survives an attempt on her life that may have been orchestrated by members of her own team. She goes into hiding to regroup and recover from her injuries, returning to the firm unannounced a year later. Her co-workers, needless to say, are surprised to see her, especially her colleague -- and secret lover -- Aidan Marsh, and her bosses, Rupert Keel and Deacon Crane, who are suspicious of Hunter's motives. But Keel and Crane need their best agent for important assignments. Hunter, meanwhile, isn't sure who she can trust, but she's positive someone wants her dead.

This is the description I got when I checked it on the Starchoice sight (I know they're not Starchoice any more but that's what I have bookmarked). It will air in the same spot as "Strike Back" starting next week just like in the U.S.

[covertoperator1]

Just watched the first episode and it was great. Loved how Frank used his research on private military/intelligence firms who do this kind of work in real life instead of having the main character usually working for MI6, CIA, etc. Can't wait to see more of this.

[McBrien76]

Here's the BBC website for Hunted if it's anymore informative about the show compared to those of other networks.

British newspapers have been a bit lukewarm about it judging from this review of the first episode in the Telegraph

Meanwhile, the UK ratings are a bit low for a primetime drama on BBC1 with only 4.46m watching the first episode and 3.42m the second. In contrast, the final season of Spooks/MI-5 was getting 5-6m viewers this time last year. So it looks like the producer's hopes for a second season might not be realised.

[Mars477]

Oh, hey, somebody started a thread!

Anyways, I liked it, and it has Stannis Baratheon in it and Melissa George switches between personalities like a champ. Sad to see it isn't doing very well in the ratings, because I'd much rather have this around than some... other spy shows out there.

[rove3]

I plan to check this out when it premieres next week.

[jvr2]

I like this show so far..I watched both the first two eps and I'm looking forward to the rest of the season. I like Melissa George as an actress and like her in this role.

[Numb Nut]

This show is really good. I just watched the first three eps. I had no idea Melissa George could be so intense. And she's so petite yet believable when she kicks ass. (And she kicks a LOT of ass.) I love the show's realism and how the first ep has long sequences with no dialogue. You would NEVER see that on a network show in the U.S. (I can't recall seeing that on a cable drama either.) There are one or two moments that defy realism but it's not as bad as the stuff they're getting away with in "Homeland" (and I LOVE "Homeland"). I'll definitely keep watching. I can't wait to see how she'll use all that training where she's holding her breath, and I hope the reveal of her hunter is worth the wait.

Edited by Numb Nut, Oct 19, 2012 @ 1:02 AM.

[ThomasAAnderson]

Yaay thread!

This show is filling the gaping whole left by Spooks.
Her face does amazing things.

[Mars477]

I just watched episode three, and damn. It was fantastic. One and two may have had pacing problems, but three was just spot on. Where Strike Back and Nikita (okay, so I only watched the first season of Nikita) had massive firefights, I was on the edge of my seat here just watching people hook up external hard drives.

I think it's great how

Spoiler

leaving bodies lying around is noted as a serious concern in their line of work.

Since they are, after all, spies, and not mass murderers.

And also, stubbily handsome love interest guy (his name's Aidan!) is quite a bit more of a character than most show's stubbily handsome love interest guys (I'm looking at you, Ben Mercer from Covert Affairs).

Edited by Mars477, Oct 20, 2012 @ 2:10 AM.

[covertoperator1]

I don't know if they're mass murderers or not. Clearly assassinations are part of their line of work (including cleaning captured operatives who are being squeezed for information) but it is nice that this show is not just about that, but the manipulation that goes on covertly and in the business world with lucrative contracts and such.

[BuddhaBelly]

I've seen the first two episodes and I like it so far. They've managed the tension really well.

I'm starting to wonder if

Spoiler

Stevie

isn't the mysterious customer. It would make a weird sort of sense.

I'm also trying to figure out why everyone is out to get Sam...

[jvr2]

I really like this show, so many little things going on that I wonder about. I'm on ep 4 so I don't know what I can talk about in here without spoiling but so far my list is:

Spoiler

1. Who is the creepy dude so focused on sticking people with needles and watching the camera of Sam's room? I know we saw him kill the real guy that was supposed to come to the house and impersonated him to gain access. Was that all just to get at Sam? I feel like I missed something here.
2. Who is the creepy women in the window across the street?
3. Who killed her mom and why and what happened to Sam when she was kidnapped? It looks like we will only get small pieces in flashbacks the entire season.
4. If Sam knew the sex of the baby (she said it was a girl) wouldn't she have been further along, like showing pregnancy at that stage? I'm not very knowledgeable about pregnancy time frames. She of course didn't look pregnant and that would have surely blown her cover with the dude she was sleeping with lol. I guess you could claim simple weight gain.
5. And of course who tried to kill Sam/who is the mole? This looks like it will be a huge conspiracy and won't ever be solved.

[Numb Nut]

I don't think you need spoiler tags since four eps have already aired. I've only seen each ep once so I'm fuzzy on the agenda of the needle assassin guy. Is he supposed to be Asian? If so, that's some bad casting.

1. Who is the creepy dude so focused on sticking people with needles and watching the camera of Sam's room? I know we saw him kill the real guy that was supposed to come to the house and impersonated him to gain access. Was that all just to get at Sam? I feel like I missed something here.

He was surprised to see Sam at the house. He was only there to impersonate the dude he killed, but he's also after Sam (I don't know why) so seeing her there was a bonus. ETA: I'm surprised the team didn't notice that he's impersonating the dead guy. Don't they have dossiers with photos of everybody involved?

5. And of course who tried to kill Sam/who is the mole? This looks like it will be a huge conspiracy and won't ever be solved.

I think I heard that this is just an eight-episode miniseries so we should find out in the last ep.

Edited by Numb Nut, Oct 27, 2012 @ 11:49 PM.

[Mars477]

Just watched Episode 5, and Christ. These guys don't fuck about, do they?

Spoiler

We learn the deal about Creepy Dude, or as he's credited, the Blank Faced Man.

We find out just what HOURGLASS is. It's the usual suspects, but still not at all disappointing, considering the viral marketing that went on for this show.

\

Full speed ahead.

[Hanahope]

Melissa George was the "anti-Sydney Bristow" on Alias, IIRC, so she definitely has 'experience' playing a spy. I've only watched 2 episodes so far (have the third on DVR - we must be a week or so behind England) and its certainly different from US spy shows, a lot more 'show' instead of 'tell.'

I find it interesting that the team doesn't know who the client is.

I didn't understand why the identity of the doctor wasn't really known by the team, so the guy that killed the bartender was able to take his place. And I'm not sure if the grandfather knows about the switch or not.

[jvr2]

I put spoilers on my discussion from a few weeks ago because I've been watching the episodes online and I thought it was far ahead of what's showing on Showtime in the U.S (it looks like it's an ep or 2 ahead). I'm in the U.S. but can't resist watching each new ep when I see it posted online, I haven't watched an ep on tv yet except for some of the pilot.

I haven't been able to watch the last few weeks, been busy plus the weather and election crap. Up to episode 7 is online right now and I'm going to try and watch all of them in a row today.

Regarding this being a 8 episode mini series, I hope not! I really like this show...oh well.

[McBrien76]

BBC decline second series of Hunted.

Although there were reports that a second season was being lined up,the Guardian has today reported that the BBC have apparently declined a second series after ratings dropped from 5.7m to just 2.6m over the course of the first 6 episodes. It's yet not clear if Cinemax will continue with a second series without BBC support.

"It hasn't found the mainstream audience it was hoped," said a BBC spokesperson.

[jvr2]

Oh well..sigh. I like the show but I'll live. I'm going to have to keep a look out for Melissa George in other roles, I'm becoming a fan.

I just watched up to episode 7 and if next episode is the last I hope it answers everything. One thing that was hinted at for me more directly that I had guessed a few eps ago was that (just a guess on my part) Sam didn't lose the baby when she got shot. It explains why she had to stay away for a whole year, to have the baby then get back in shape. She then gave/hide the girl away because obviously she would be a target (I had had questions previously about her knowing the sex of the child..and I don't recall Sam ever saying she lost the baby anyway..maybe I've just forgotten this though). She wouldn't have needed a whole year to recover from one gun shot wound though I guess she might have used the time to look into who tried to kill her. The hint for me in this ep was the director guy saying he had accessed her hospital records and 'he knows' when directing her not to run.


Don't know if this something that will be revealed in the last episode with so much going on.

[McBrien76]

Deadline are reporting that Cinemax are keen to continue with the character of Sam Hunter but not in the current format as the original co-production agreement makes that impossible.

Because of the project’s setup – BBC originally commissioned eight episodes from Shine-owned British production company Kudos Film and Television before Cinemax came on board as producer/U.S. distributor — I hear continuing the series in its current form proved impossible without partner BBC. That has led to Cinemax brass looking for another way to keep the premise and the Sam Hunter character alive while also assuming greater creative control.

[Boundary]

The implausibility of some aspects doesn't really deter me because I love Homeland and Alias and those shows get away with murder. At this point though, it's hard to guess who Sam can trust, I certainly doubt Aidan is one even though she is entrusting him with some info. I have a feeling Creepy Guy could turn out saviour, I suspect he took her to the hospital after she was shot.

[ceindreadh]

and I don't recall Sam ever saying she lost the baby anyway..maybe I've just forgotten this though).

IIRC, Aiden asked if she'd lost the baby, Sam pulled up her top to show him the bullet scar and said "What do you think?"

[Constantinople]

FYI, Hunted airs in the US on Cinemax at 10 pm Eastern on Friday nights. Last Friday they aired Episode 5: The Ambassadors. Of course, to make things confusing, tonight (Tuesday), they're airing episode 6 and calling it something like an early release. Perhaps they're expecting smaller viewership on Friday due to Thanksgiving on Thursday.

In general, I like the series, but...

Given her line of work, Sam Hunter seems awfully upset that someone would try to kill her. WTF? Don't take things so personally. As Zoe or Deacon mentioned when they were discussing offing Hassan, it's part of your job description.

Speaking of Sam Hunter, could her name be any more cliche? The Hunter becomes the Hunted, and the Hunted becomes the Hunter, blah blah blah. Then top it off with Sam, which seems like a "Hollywood" cliche as a name for a strong, assertive woman.

It was also confusing having someone else named Hassan. Thanks to the sound quality, it was often difficult to tell if a character was discussing Sam or Hassan, particularly since they both ended-up in Jack Turner's house.

Side note on Jack Turner. I thought I recognized the actor, mostly by his voice, but couldn't place him so I looked him up on IMDB. He's Balon Greyjoy! He must be the go-to-guy when British TV needs an overbearing criminal patriarch who lost his oldest son(s) violently and despises the son he's been left with.

I'm concerned that with Episode 5, Hunted has started to hunt the jumping shark. We already knew Sam had ties to Scotland, and that her mother apparently was killed as part of a staged car accident. Now thanks to Ballard's art critique, there's a 500 year old corporate conspiracy that is deeply interested in this woman of unknown provenance.

When do Tom Hanks & Ian McKellen show-up? Because this is looking less like a spy thriller and more and more like Da Vinci Code II: Electric Boogaloo.

BBC decline second series of Hunted.

Should have been in spoiler tags.

Now we know who wants Sam dead.

Edited by Constantinople, Nov 20, 2012 @ 11:00 AM.

[speedroc]

Side note on Jack Turner. I thought I recognized the actor, mostly by his voice, but couldn't place him so I looked him up on IMDB. He's Balon Greyjoy!

Whenever I see him I still think of him as Mr. Perkins from The Long Kiss Goodknight.

[irishmaple]

After I figured out this aired on HBO Canada and not Super Channel, I started recording this one but never got around to watching it. Fortunately (no, not really!) I was sick on the weekend so had plenty of time to burn through the PVR. I watched all 5 episodes on the PVR on Saturday afternoon and it made for an entertaining marathon until we got to the giant 500-year old corporate conspiracy. Who's running it? Descendants of the Borgias and Machiavellis? And they're comfortable taking out a Section Head of MI:5? Show seems to be gettting a little ambitious there. I was already struggling with the conspiracy around the murder of Sam's mother and her kidnapping. Was she brainwashed and inserted in the Army later? Weird.

Nice to see Stannis Baratheon in something current, though what's his deal with the call girl and her bruises? Still kinky, eh, Stannis? Blank-faced Man is creepy as hell and I give total credit to the actor for selling the hell out of it. Aidan is cute and shares his name with my high-school boyfriend so I like him. Sam would be fine except for the flashbacks to her traumatic childhood. I've reached trauma overload with her, and I dislike her status as Designated Honeypot. There have to be other ways to gather intelligence without sending her in to have sex with some guy. I hated what happened to poor Trudy and her husband because Byzantine needed a fall couple. I want to see the company go down in flames now. It is an absorbing show, though, so I'm sorry to hear it was cancelled. This is my third show cancelled recently, with Boss and Last Resort going too.