Matador [EL REY Channel] ** SPOILERS **

squonk

Started watching this last night as I'm at that point now where the Summer shows I'm interested in have finished and the Fall lineup hasn't kicked in yet.

With the Orci's involved I'm not surprised that the show reminds me a little of a Latino Hawaii Five-O. Beyond that though it's pretty generic CIA operative, by the numbers TV.

Basically it works out as DEA guy gets recruited by the CIA for a temp gig going under cover trying out for a soccer team. Kind of like LA Galaxy but with a Latino backer. Alfred Molina does a great job here actually as the team owner. I was quite impressed for a Brit! There's a David Beckham-esque type on the team also who's so stereotypically posh-ish Brit it's not funny. Think Hugh Grant with a bit more edge and soccer boots.

After trying out he falls foul of the team's 'enforcer' who tries to attack him. He deftly avoids all the guy's jabs and ends up kicking the guy in the leg, putting him out of action for 4 months and our hero then gets a 1 year contract on the team. That allows his CIA handlers to plan a more advanced operation so it's all good!

Kind of torn with this show. On one hand, it's pure crap! Being honest that's exactly what it is. Soccer fans will doubtless hate it. I'm not a soccer fan and I'd rather they minimize the match shots really but, having said that, for me more happens on the pitch on this than in 10 regular soccer matches! That being said, I think they're getting their wires crossed and mixing up Soccer with Hockey really!

So, now we've established it['s pure crap, there's actually something likeable about the pilot. I really don't know what that is but I suspect it has something to do with being a bit over the top, a bit in your face and there are bits of violence along the way. There's also a very 80's-esque bad guy sub plot in far off Myanmar to contend with. It's bubblegum viewing really. I'll be back for more but for how long I just don't know right now.

Agent Coulson

I got 2 episodes in before I left it.

I may go back to it when it dorps on Netflix or Hulu as a full series.

bluesfan

I'm up to episode seven so far. I started watching it as a fun brainless summer series but the last couple of episodes have taken the overall arc of the show into the horror genre. I can't tell you it's gotten better but it's certainly gotten weirder.