I have found Poker Face to be such a fun throwback. All the way from its genre specific opening title, so reminiscent of "Night Gallery" title's/fonts, what have you, to Natasha Lyonne's turn as our Columbo, with her Chico Marx stride.
I'm looking forward to watching the final two episodes during this lousy weekend weatherwise
Finally caught up with your Poker Face recaps/reviews and enjoyed them. One of the Ringer's podcasts considers Poker Face and for the Nolte episode referenced that it might have been a roman a clef with Industrial Light and Magic overtones. If so, it's fun to recall the Columbo where Fisher Stevens' Murder Smoke and Shadows episode that had a Spielberg-like protagonist (including an old younger days film clip being the Macguffin) as a great one to revisit. (I'm sure everyone's busy, but it might be fun to suggest Columbo/Poker Face pairings.) Oh and for season 2, with all the Burn Notice shout outs, it might be fun to see Bruce Campbell make a guest star appearance. Can't wait for season 2.
For a moment there, I was wondering how they'd justify Charlie doing more of the same in season 2. So I was almost hoping she'd say yes to the offer to work for the FBI. But I can buy that she now has to be on the run from the other casino crime syndicate.
Poker Face is probably my favorite new series for 2023. I'm curious how much Rian Johnson will be involved in future seasons. He wrote two episodes and directed three and it looks like he was there for the entire process. That's a lot of work for a guy as busy as he is, but maybe they'll take a longer break before season 2.
The last episode feeding into the first episode of Columbo was a nice touch.
Yes, agreed on Poker Face! It was pure pleasure throughout but upped the game the last 3 episodes. Which seems very promising for Season 2. And yet ... I am still bitter about the first 4 episode rollout! I was faced with the choice of being able to participate in the conversation or watch it at the pace I preferred. I chose the former (although it took me a couple weeks to be in sync with you), and that somewhat hurt my enjoyment of the show. I think this show is at its best when it’s spaced out. Given breathing space between episodes. Here’s hoping they air it one episode a week for Season 2.
I also still hate the 4-episode rollout in week 1. Although, interestingly, I fell off about mid-season with the show and just recently enjoyed watching the last 4-5 episodes pretty much back-to-back, as much as I don't think it's a binge-type show in general. It helped, of course, that "The Orpheus Syndrome" is so good. "Escape from Shit Mountain" and "The Hook" also worked quite well. The momentum was able to take me through, even though it does seem to function best as an episode-a-week type show.
I only skimmed this post earlier because we hadn't been able to watch 'Mandalorian' yet. So glad to have found your Substack, Alan! I'm a 'Rolling Stone' reader but the website contradictorily both overheats and freezes my computer.
The scene between Emily and Charlie was brilliant. Great way to express the dichotomy of Charlie's impact on people. Emily was generous in allowing that Charlie is perhaps needed by folks out in the world, but not in hers.
Loved Poker Face so very much. And it finally inspired me to watch Columbo, so double-win.
I don’t buy Ms. Hasp’s argument that killing Charlie will end the war - it seems clear that (at least per mob fiction tropes), the Hasps would have to fight their way out of the war, win or lose. Plus, isn’t she going to be arrested b/c of Cliff?
But who cares, especially if they hire someone like Jere Burns (or Angie Harmon, for symmetry) to fill Bratt’s “chaser” role.
Burn Notice, a show very much in the done-in-one vein of this one. (And a series that, once upon a time, I took great pleasure in watching, particularly in the second season.)
Prediction: season 2 finale will reveal the next big bad on the phone to be played by Itzhak Perlman!
hahaha great call
Nice touch: 'Hook' playing on TV in the sister's den.
I have found Poker Face to be such a fun throwback. All the way from its genre specific opening title, so reminiscent of "Night Gallery" title's/fonts, what have you, to Natasha Lyonne's turn as our Columbo, with her Chico Marx stride.
I'm looking forward to watching the final two episodes during this lousy weekend weatherwise
Finally caught up with your Poker Face recaps/reviews and enjoyed them. One of the Ringer's podcasts considers Poker Face and for the Nolte episode referenced that it might have been a roman a clef with Industrial Light and Magic overtones. If so, it's fun to recall the Columbo where Fisher Stevens' Murder Smoke and Shadows episode that had a Spielberg-like protagonist (including an old younger days film clip being the Macguffin) as a great one to revisit. (I'm sure everyone's busy, but it might be fun to suggest Columbo/Poker Face pairings.) Oh and for season 2, with all the Burn Notice shout outs, it might be fun to see Bruce Campbell make a guest star appearance. Can't wait for season 2.
Episode Medium Substack has been doing Poker Face/Colombo pairings throughout the season. It’s a paid subscription, though.
For a moment there, I was wondering how they'd justify Charlie doing more of the same in season 2. So I was almost hoping she'd say yes to the offer to work for the FBI. But I can buy that she now has to be on the run from the other casino crime syndicate.
Poker Face is probably my favorite new series for 2023. I'm curious how much Rian Johnson will be involved in future seasons. He wrote two episodes and directed three and it looks like he was there for the entire process. That's a lot of work for a guy as busy as he is, but maybe they'll take a longer break before season 2.
The last episode feeding into the first episode of Columbo was a nice touch.
Rhea Perlman! That's who that was! Thank you!
My wife and I thought it was Natasha doing an "older" voice. :)
Yes, agreed on Poker Face! It was pure pleasure throughout but upped the game the last 3 episodes. Which seems very promising for Season 2. And yet ... I am still bitter about the first 4 episode rollout! I was faced with the choice of being able to participate in the conversation or watch it at the pace I preferred. I chose the former (although it took me a couple weeks to be in sync with you), and that somewhat hurt my enjoyment of the show. I think this show is at its best when it’s spaced out. Given breathing space between episodes. Here’s hoping they air it one episode a week for Season 2.
I also still hate the 4-episode rollout in week 1. Although, interestingly, I fell off about mid-season with the show and just recently enjoyed watching the last 4-5 episodes pretty much back-to-back, as much as I don't think it's a binge-type show in general. It helped, of course, that "The Orpheus Syndrome" is so good. "Escape from Shit Mountain" and "The Hook" also worked quite well. The momentum was able to take me through, even though it does seem to function best as an episode-a-week type show.
I only skimmed this post earlier because we hadn't been able to watch 'Mandalorian' yet. So glad to have found your Substack, Alan! I'm a 'Rolling Stone' reader but the website contradictorily both overheats and freezes my computer.
Poker face was consistently delightful. More, please.
Alan - Off topic, but what happened to your podcast? Are new episodes coming at some point?
The scene between Emily and Charlie was brilliant. Great way to express the dichotomy of Charlie's impact on people. Emily was generous in allowing that Charlie is perhaps needed by folks out in the world, but not in hers.
1. Still blows my mind that Charlie just gives her real name to peeps yet somehow survived a year out there.
2. Very nice touch with Hook playing on TV.
3. Very disorienting to see Clea and Natasha play sisters when I only ever seen them play a couple :D
4. Love that Clea gave us enough BG on their family to know there's more to learn.
5. I had the exact same thought about how good Pedro Pascal is with orphans.
6. I went to the doctor's office and saw a segment on TV about the rolling stones best fictional song of all time project :D
Loved Poker Face so very much. And it finally inspired me to watch Columbo, so double-win.
I don’t buy Ms. Hasp’s argument that killing Charlie will end the war - it seems clear that (at least per mob fiction tropes), the Hasps would have to fight their way out of the war, win or lose. Plus, isn’t she going to be arrested b/c of Cliff?
But who cares, especially if they hire someone like Jere Burns (or Angie Harmon, for symmetry) to fill Bratt’s “chaser” role.
Ended up thoroughly enjoying Poker Face, but I was really bored for a good chunk of episodes 2-6. The last third of the season was excellent!
Burn Notice, a show very much in the done-in-one vein of this one. (And a series that, once upon a time, I took great pleasure in watching, particularly in the second season.)
But the question is, what is Burn Notice?