The Old Man Tvshow Review- Episode 1

Warning: Potential spoilers ahead! 

Based on: The Old Man by Thomas Perry

Created by: Jonathan E. Steinberg, Robert Levine

Starring: Jeff Bridges, E. J. Bonilla, John Lithgow, Alia Shawkat

Jeff Bridges as Dan Chase

Episode 1 of the new FX show, The Old Man, starring Jeff Bridges as Dan Chase, is the start of a beautiful but unexpected thriller. Beautiful due to the perfect pacing and cinematography, and unexpected because of the age of the protagonist.

The light and camera highlight his aging and gaunt face while the writing tells us how simple things like putting on socks are now difficult for him. 

But his age is slowly undercut with deftness and experience as the episode goes on, and we see Dan take down men half his age. It's almost miraculous and makes the audience question how this aging man with greying hair and cognitive/ motor problems is able to accomplish this.

The conclusion is simple and one that the show wants audiences to know- that he was/is a highly skilled operative of the government.

Harper

This gets confirmed as Dan speaks to Harper (his handler), who doesn't want him to get caught by his people for some reason. But Harper's actions and nervousness draw suspicions from his colleague CIA Agent Raymond Waters.

 

The next few episodes will tell us more about the relationship between the two. But for now we get some information about their individual lives. We get to know that Chase had a wife, Abbey, who was suffering from Huntington's disease and is currently dead. 

He also has a daughter who we never see, but it's clear that she cares about her father a lot and vice versa. Also, his family life hints at his past profession. In the flashback scenes, Abbey has no memory of who she is, but she remembers him and who he was. 

Abbey, Chase's wife

As for his daughter, she seems aware that her father had a past but has no idea what kind, and Chase would prefer to keep it that way.

Harper's situation is pretty similar as well. He doesn't have much family left apart from his grandson. We are informed that the child's parents died in an accident, but something makes us think that this accident will be linked back to his job. 

Additionally, it's clear that later Chase's daughter will play a major role in the show. We just have to say that if you are looking to start a show with mystery, suspense, and thrill, give this a try. 

Pros: 

• Great performances by the cast, and especially Jeff Bridges. 
• The episode gives just enough to the audience to build suspense. 
• Long uncut fight scenes are a treat to watch. 

Cons:

• It takes its sweet time to pick up the pace.