The Middleman

[icepixie]

pezprez gave me the first (and, as far as I know, only) season of The Middleman for Christmas. Tonight, I could've been getting ahead on my thesis, but I chose instead to watch the first four episodes. (I am weak. And pretending I don't have to go back to school tomorrow.)

I wasn't too sure about it after the pilot, but the next three slowly won me over. I think it might be mostly because if Benton Fraser were American, fought aliens/mad scientists/other comic book baddies, and had a Cuban-American Jaye Tyler with a better attitude for a partner, he would be the male lead. (He actually says "Thank you kindly." And his "Oh, dear" catchphrase is "Oh, phooey," because he finds cursing degrading to one's moral fiber, or something like that.)

It reminds me a little bit of a very, very clean Spaced, particularly because of all the pop cultural and sci-fi references that fly by. There's definitely a bit of Twist in Lacey, too. There's also kind of an aura of The Invisible Man about it, and an Americanized Avengers. It's goofier than all of them, though. I particularly liked the running gag in the third episode of giving the place and time for each scene, but using a different time zone for each one they did.

I feel a little weird describing it entirely in terms of other shows, but...I think that might be part of its charm. It definitely seems intentional, anyway. It's cute!

Comments

[rowdycamels.livejournal.com]

I too recently discovered The Middleman! I Netflixed the pilot, then immediately bought the whole series, 'cause whoa. I haven't finished the set yet, but there is much Canadiantasticness!

[thiswaltz.livejournal.com]

I only saw a few episodes of it when it was on, but I adored it. All of your comparisons are so completely true, especially the Benton Fraser ones -- half the fun of the show was the way it seemed to be winking at so many other shows.

I didn't know it was on DVD though, I'll have to look for that.

[ladysorka]

Middleman is totally my favorite new show of the past couple of years. I adore it. And if you can hunt it down, what would've been the series finale was put out as a comic book - The Doomsday Armageddon Apocalypse.

[pezprez.livejournal.com]

Glad you enjoyed it! I figured you would because, well, it got canceled and all great shows get canceled prematurely, right? It's like a law or something ;)

[icepixie]

Definitely, definitely Canadian. I wonder if the actor is actually Canadian...

[icepixie]

It is indeed on DVD! Fun times.

[icepixie]

I have to admit that I think it tries too hard sometimes, leading to a few groans rather than chuckles, but overall I'm highly amused by it.

I've heard of this comic book. Must investigate later.

[icepixie]

I figured you would because, well, it got canceled and all great shows get canceled prematurely, right? It's like a law or something ;)

I think it might be an amendment to the constitution. ;)

[rowdycamels.livejournal.com]

Michigander, says IMDb. That's practically Canada, right?

[icepixie]

Totally Baja Canada.