"Paul Levinson's It's Real Life is a page-turning exploration into that multiverse known as rock and roll. But it is much more than a marvelous adventure narrated by a master storyteller...it is also an exquisite meditation on the very nature of alternate history." -- Jack Dann, The Fiction Writer's Guide to Alternate History

Monday, March 12, 2007

24 Season 6: hr 13: Markov's Mouth, and Martha

First, I gotta mention something that impressed me last week, and now this week, again - did you see that Russian guy's mouth? Anatoly Markov's - the Russian ambassador's - frown? John Noble, who sometimes goes by the name of Nogle, and played the slimy Denethor in the last two Lord of the Rings movies, contributed a world-class grimace to the past few episodes of 24. I'll miss it.

I'll miss Charles Logan, too. Even if he survives Martha's knife wound, he's not likely to be seen much longer on the show, outside of intensive care. A tough season for Presidents, current and former.

But Powers Boothe as the VP acting as President is in high, nearly snarling gear back in Washington. It's still not completely clear how bad he is - at very least, he's a hard-ass willing to risk war - actually, that wouldn't necessarily be that bad, given the peril the U.S. is in. But Vice President Daniels looks like he may also be behind the bomb that killed Assad and put Wayne Palmer in the hospital. And at very least, he's also leaning on Tom Lennox to lie to the Arab ambassador .... Tom could use some help from Karen Hayes, who should be back at the White House pretty soon now.

Back to Martha - what a performance! Jean Smart couldn't have played her tormented role any better. And it was great to see Aaron, again, too.

Last but not least for tonight, Ricky Schroder coming on board at CTU is a good thing, too. He may have manhandled Morris, and been none too friendly to Milo, but he reminds me of ... a younger, Jack.

Always good.

Hey, did you see that Russian ambassador's mouth? How does he do that?

Useful links:

2-minute podcast of this review at Levinson news clips

World Class Frowns On Television

The Two Towers Visual Companion

The Return of the King Visual Companion

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

LOL! I noticed that about Markov's mouth too. Quite odd, it was. Also semi-funny, when I wasn't supposed to be smiling.

:D:D

You're absolutely right about Jean Smart! Her first comment to Logan: "You've lost weight" reminded me of her classic first line in S5 - "I look like a wedding cake."

She is amazing, that's for sure!

Paul Levinson said...

Absolutely!

Great to see you here, carina, as always...

Mike Wilkerson - 2GuysTalking said...

John Noble is one of the great actors of our time that really just doesn't get enough attention or credit for his skillset.

Being a native-born Austrian, he also has the language-ability and experience to pull something like this off so wonderfully, and you sir are RIGHT ON about his frown.

Looking forward to hearing more of your podcasts and participating in your website discussion!

Paul Levinson said...

Good to have your comment, Mike - and excellent points about Noble.

By all means keep posting here...
(and come over any time to PaulLevinson.net too!)

InfiniteRegress.tv