Similar shows?
I was looking for show similar to this. New or ongoing. Or even cancelled/concluded. Could anyone point me in the right direction?
shareSleeper Cell is kinda neat, but canceled
Homeland
The Blacklist
there's a few
MovieChat Forums > Rubicon (2010) Discussion > Similar shows?
I still think that this show is like "24". While 24 is a lot more action-based, both shows share some similarities.
~After enjoying that movie, I figured I'd drop by IMDB to read about all of its problems.
watch Utopia
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2384811/?ref_=rvi_tt
The UK series (2013) is fantastic, if you can handle more killing/violence. It's also a bit like watching this show on a mixture of low doses of a dissociative anesthetic like PCP/ketamine and a psychedelic like acid.
shareI'm on the lookout for similar shows - yes, still - but what really hooked me with Rubicon wasn't necessarily the content. I only realized it after reading a review that mentioned the lack of technology on the show, but what I've been chasing since Rubicon got cancelled was the "immense piles of books and papers and legal pads that people scribble all over" aesthetic. Shallow, maybe, but it's been a quest of mine for more than 5 years.
Anyone have any recommendations for dramas that have an abundance of file folders/notepads/pens/newspapers?
Seaside,
Give The Americans a look on AMC -- it only has 2 more shows left before the season ends but as a former Rubicon fan, this is my choice for you. It is set in the 80s, so no, none of today's annoying tech to get in the way - more like payphones and folders. However, none of today's shows come close to Rubicon.
[deleted]
seaside, my post a little lower in this thread has some of the things you're after. numb3rs, x-files, conspiracy theory and others ;-)
shareGreat suggestions in this thread.
I'm merely two episodes in but am already infatuated with it [edit-I'm now finished it days later]. I'd like to add to this collection with things I've thoroughly enjoyed and strike a somewhat similar chord or vibe with me. Upon completion of the show I may come back and delete some of these recommendations if they are a little too different [edit-done now]. These are not in any particular order or preference.
Movies
Sneakers - A solid movie about bigger government and life purpose. One of my all time favs.
Pi - Has a lot of similarities and existentialism that I couldn't help but think of it a few times in the first two episodes. Another one of my all time favs.
Enemy Of The State - one of my favs. Edge of your seat political thriller.
The Conversation - Possible connection to Enemy of the State through Brill.
Capricorn One - Solid, watched for the first time a month or so ago, was surprised in a good way.
Conspiracy Theory
23 (1998)German movie and similar vibe. Another highly unknown and under appreciated film.
TV
Mr. Robot - Actually has the "guy from upstairs"[edit-Spangler] in it, in what I'm guessing is a very similar role.
Secret City - new mini series with Anna Torv. Strikes a similar chord as far as data analysts and hidden agenda.
X-Files - Goes without saying. There are those who know X-Files ended at some point in season 7 and those buffoons who actually watched the new ones to be "hip". It has a big story arc that is full of hidden agendas and misdirection. And a few AMAZING comedy episodes to boot (actually some of the best comedy episodes in any show ever, for instance Season 5 Episode 5)
Millennium - About a specialist working for a group
Damages - [might be too political/law based - if you enjoy this try Bloodline]
Numb3rs - [maybe too run of the mill episodic, without overarching hidden story]
Fringe - Goes without saying (similar to X-Files)
Perception - [maybe too run of the mill episodic, without overarching hidden story]
Zero Hour (2013) - Conspiracy show, 1 season, has an ending
Cult - 1 season and did NOT end sufficely
The Wire. It's without a doubt a show that explains exactly how the world is run. Each season unique, but overall arching story with season 3 onwards getting into the root of the problems such as politics, education, corruption and so forth. Parts of Rubicon reminded me very much of The Wire.
There are definitely others I can't think of atm or more out there films like the highly underrated Adjustment Bureau, though it depends how deep and how far you wish to take it. I thoroughly enjoyed this show and am left dismayed there was only 13 episodes. I'd have watched more in a heartbeat and on completion of this edit I'm going to be searching the actors to see what else I can enjoy them all in. I enjoyed each one of them and would love to see them in more stuff. As well as more shows like Rubicon be made.
On a side note, it was so nice not to see any phone screens filmed (like the terrible new first episode of X-Files, so much so that it made me turn it off in less than the first half) to identify calls. Rather the direction/editing/etc used so we knew who was on the phone. The thing about filming phone screens is it's lazy. If it is going to message bank or being answered, just film the person leaving the message. Sure it can be used if the person is ignoring it, but even then try and use the person calling and no answer acting while flicking to the person ignoring for whatever reason. The second the person says "hi John" or "Mulder, what is it" you know who is on the phone. Showing the screen of the phone does nothing and is lazy. Period. There's always a better way.
[edit - deleted: The 4400, Harsh Realm, Warehouse 13, Luther. The first 3 are too heavily weighed toward sci-fi compared to Rubicon, while Luther is more of a personal story without hidden agendas. I still highly rate and recommend Luther, just not in a list of shows similar to Rubicon.]
The Sandbaggers is excellent.
share[deleted]
Yes, up there with the greats. Wish there were more Sandbaggers fans around in my world to discuss the show. One thing that American audiences might have missed that made the show more layered was the obvious social class games that were going on, especially with Burnside.
It reminded me a lot of "Jewel in the Crown" in which, if you did not understand Ronald Merrick's character, his background, why he'd have ended up as a colonial police officer, the social class situation between him and Hari Kumar, etc., key motivations for the characters is entirely lost.
I miss the old British shows before international streaming began, when they were made for a British audience, so were imbued with a lot of "inside baseball" social signals for characters that let you understand them without the show having to spell it out in dialogue. Merrick was one of those characters.
IMO, without understanding Burnside's and Merrick's place in the British social pecking order, so much of what they do and the reasons they do it are lost on a viewer and just the plot remains and some interactions seem confusing.
In the espionage category, only The Americans rises to the quality of writing and acting and theme that Rubicon achieved. It's deep, multilayered and intense, and so smart it probably is not going to appeal at all to shallow surface spy thriller fans.
Two sleepers trying to pretend to be Americans for decades -- while doing their ops right under the noses of the DC crowd -- leads to endless amazing personal and professional stories.
And no spoilers....but as a series finale, The Americans comes in Number One of every series I've ever experienced. Gripping does not cover it!!!
Just cannot describe it, because no series finale has ever been quite like it. And it delivers right up to the final few seconds by leaving a "hmmmmmm........" scene that, after everything else is tied up, leaves you wondering.............wow......could it be????
Ha!