MovieChat Forums > Condor (2018) Discussion > Anyone else watching?

Anyone else watching?


I’m on episode 5 and I’m really enjoying this show so far.
It has a cinematic feel to it & I like it’s semi-slow pace.
It feels less ‘American’ in the way the story is unfolding and I love how it’s not all about romance/drama the way a lot of the U.S spy shows are.
Brendan Fraser is magnificent as one of the ‘baddies’.
He’s character is so complex yet unassuming.

Anyone else watching & enjoying?

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yep me and enjoying it

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Yes and disappointed about the lack of any presence in my usual forums. I totally agree about Brendan Fraser. Really impressed with his portrayal of this character. At first I thought he was just a slightly dumb throw-away villain and wondered why he even took the role but by the fifth episode I find him the most fascinating character. The series has wonderful writing and even after re-watching the original movie the series holds its own. I like the larger canvas as the story is complex and interesting enough to be worth exploring deeper than a tight thriller.

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I’m so happy I’m not alone in enjoying this show and I too was disappointed to find that this forum is so empty.

I’m streaming Condor episodes weekly on Stan in Australia and I can’t seem to drum up any interest in the show amongst my friends.

Fingers crossed there’s more lurkers out there watching the show as I’d love to see another season at least.

And ‘mhand’ now that you’ve seen episode 5 - how good was that scene in the car between Joubert & Bob Partridge?

The spiel she told about the way the modern world is now was nothing short of perfection & then when Bob finally lets her know he knows who she is - I was on the edge of my seat.

There’s definitely some great writing in this show.

Glad I’m not the only one enjoying it!

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There seems to be a little interest starting on https://www.reddit.com/r/CONDORtv/ after the fifth episode. I just watched it again and absolutely loved the gem of Brendan Fraser character explaining the pink polka-dot laptop case. Because the story itself is so tense and gripping, I found that on re-visit I can appreciate the quality of the writing and editing-directing even more. The way they jump smoothly between locations that have concurrent action going is sometime almost like a dance. Also the way they told the side story of the not very bright detective from his first encounter with Bob Partridge to his last with Gabrielle Joubert. He was so outmatched in both encounters it made for a mini comic-tragedy in itself. I also really liked that despite the heart breaking end of Kathy Hale, they allowed her to evolve into a strong and smart and resourceful character along the way. I love series that invest in each character and do not only concentrate on the leads. Showing us the flash back between the young Joe Turner and Bob Partridge during the hunting trip to explain exactly why Bob was was absolutely sure Joe could never have killed those people instead of simply relying on "I just know him" is again going for the crucial "Show not Tell" of good movie making.

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Oh my god yes - the pink polka-dot laptop case! When Brendan Fraser’s character explains why he has it, it’s the most perfect take down to toxic masculinity ever.
I’m going to check out that Reddit thread now.
Thanks for the suggestion!

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That was a gem of a scene indeed. This show grew on me. I was afraid if would just be a pale copy of the movie but it has developed ideas of its own, fleshed out its characters even more than the movie did, and the motive behind the "villains" ' actions ( and the scale of it) is slowly revealed. Besides , it's indeed a pleasure to see Brendan Fraser back on the screen! Hopefully back on the big screen one day!

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I so agree about Brendan Fraser.
I was quite horrified to read about his #metoo story earlier this year and in subsequent articles I realised his seemingly ‘declining’ career was more than likely due to being blacklisted by ‘Big Wig’ producer types in Hollywood rather than your typical ‘faded Hollywood star now they are no longer young & pretty’ kind of scenario.
That is how I found this show - by looking on IMDB to see what he was up to these days.
The man is a terrific actor and I would be genuinely thrilled to see him offered some bigger roles in the future.

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I agree.

I loved the Easter Eggs from the film... some of my favorite lines.

My very favorite one was cut short.

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I finally caught up with all the aired episodes this weekend. This show has been a pleasant surprise...it had me hooked from the very first episode. They've done a good job with making sensible updates to the story, and changing and adding characters that weren't in the Pollack film (I haven't read the "Six Days..." book that film was based on).

This is the second original series from ATT that I've liked; I also thought Mr. Mercedes was a well-done adaptation. I do hope, though, that Condor is, like MM, just a limited series and won't over-extend it's welcome by trying to drag this out to multiple seasons. I think that would only dilute this into mediocrity.

EDIT (3 days later): Well, after watching episode 7 last night, it seems to be shaping up that Condor is not going to wrap up its story in only 8 episodes and will, if renewed, continue the story for another season. I suppose I can go along with that under one condition: season 2 should not have a passage of time but begin immediately after the events at the conclusion of S1, whatever they may be. If something happens like Joe gets arrested and then the story starts 4 or 5 months later or something, I don't think this will be the same story anymore (a man on the run) and I think it will be detrimental to its quality.

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regarding your edit:
1. This season has 10 episodes, not 8, so they could wrap up the main story if they wanted to.
2. It was indeed renewed for a second season, so something will have to change because he cannot continue running around with his small backpack for much longer. I think The 1960s series The Fugitive covered this scenario enough :)

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Thanks for that clarification, when I had checked the # of eps on IMDB they only had 8 listed.

Yeah I agree about The Fugitive scenario; with his face plastered all over the media Joe can't remain on the loose forever without it becoming implausible that he wouldn't be apprehended. The only way they could manage that is if they did season 2 in "real time" so he was only on the run for a day or two...but then they'd be aping "24" and that's a whole 'nother can of worms.

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Well, it's February 2020 and I don't see anything about Season 2.

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I'm watching and so far it's been pretty good. Pace and tone are a bit off though. I was shocked Cathy died, a divergent point from the movie. I never read the book so I don't know how that aligns.

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I too was shocked at her death but after a few days reflection I have decided that it is quite refreshing that the show didn’t go down the very well trodden ‘Stockholm Syndrome / Romance’ path between her & Joe.
Her death definitely added some more depth to just how perilous Joe’s situation really is.

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In the movie version, Cathy is in it with Joe to the end. Also Joubert is portrayed as a cold professional, completely opposite of the Joubert in this. But I am glad I don't know where it is going because it is similar also in many respects.

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I was curious about the show and decided to watch partly based on this thread..and the fact I had liked the original film with Robert Redford..
I am finally up to date and am enjoying the show..I'm not one to nit pick but rather tend to go by my enjoyment factor. And it works for me.
With only 2 episodes left in this season I'm curious to where season 2 will go...and if anyone will be left standing. I was very surprised by the death of [spoiler]Brenden Fraser's[/spoiler] character..

There's not much online about it. I found a Reddit with little fanfare but it reminds me of another tv show from a few years ago that often got overlooked because it seemed exclusive to customers of the service..It was called Kingdom (not to be confused with Last Kingdom or Animal Kingdom) from Direct TV. A fantastic show that few ever saw.

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One of the best thing about these kinds of Forums is when like minded people recommend other good shows/movies.
I looked up Kingdom on IMDB and the reviews are stellar so thank you for mentioning it and I will definitely check it out (despite the fact that I have zero interest in MMA).
I also appreciate the way you attached a spoiler ‘black out’ re that characters death.
I have been feeling bad that I hadn’t done it in one of my replies up thread about another characters demise.
Great to hear someone else is enjoying Condor too.

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You can go back and edit your previous "spoilered" post, adding in the blackout...

...except it doesn't black out here in the new home of the forum. Just say "SPOILER" above it.

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