Brotherhood

By levinson.paul@gmail.com (Paul Levinson) So Tommy becomes Speaker, and he's beholden to Freddie for killing Kirkpatrick, and in fact giving Freddie the go ahead to that. Freddie made it look like a suicide, so the Feds are not likely to suspect, though Declan might, and Tommy knows. Colin and Kath didn't work out - no real surprise - but Michael's gone when they both get back to Providence, separately. Michael puts in a call to Rose, from a public phone from somewhere out of town, to tell her he's ok. So, he leaves town, just as the series began with his coming back to Providence after so many years. See also: The Caffees and Blago in Brotherhood ... Brotherhood Is Back for a Third Season, and Better Than Ever   [read the full post]

By Paul Levinson(levinson.paul@gmail.com) 1. What will Tommy do? With the Speaker in the hospital with a serious heart attack, and Tommy a very possible replacement - will he resist stepping up? Eileen certainly doesn't want that. But I think Tommy has politics inescapably in his blood. This season of the Brotherhood has really been a fine chess match, and, as fate would have it, ever closer to politics in our real world. Gov. Blagojevich of Illinois would fit perfectly in the Rhode Island of Brotherhood. See also: Brotherhood Is Back for a Third Season, and Better Than Ever And from Season 2: Checking in Brotherhood Season 2 Episode 6: The Simmering Stu and Episode 9: The Anti-Thanksgiving Gem ... Season 2 Finale   [read the full post]

By noreply@blogger.com (Paul Levinson) Brotherhood is back for its third season on Showtime, and if the first two episodes are any indication, this will be a faster, sharper, more powerful Brotherhood than what we saw in the first two seasons - less talk, more conflict and payoff, which could make this the best season of Brotherhood so far. Declan (Ethan Embry), Freddie (Kevin Chapman), Eileen (Annabeth Gish), and Mary Rose (Fionnula Flanagan - now of Lost fame) are all back in fine form, and it was good seeing Freddie sell some cars. See also Checking in Brotherhood Season 2 Episode 6: The Simmering Stu and Episode 9: The Anti-Thanksgiving Gem ... Season 2 Finale   [read the full post]

By Paul Levinson And one relationship is finally being rent asunder. Tommy is understandably furious about Michael - whose public gun play, even though not his fault, cost Tommy a chance to become Speaker. In a telling last scene, Tommy's tells Michael that Tommy knew that Freddie had ordered a hit on Tommy last year - the hit that didn't take place, because Declan intervened with his own cowardly assault. Michael is shaken - as we've never seen him before, with Tommy. I'd like to see how that is resolved. Let's hope Showtime gives Brotherhood another season. See also Checking in Brotherhood Season 2 Episode 6: The Simmering Stu and Episode 9: The Anti-Thanksgiving Gem   [read the full post]

By Paul Levinson The second season of Brotherhood on Showtime has been progressing well. Perhaps a little quieter than the first season, but building and percolating as the fine Irish stew of politics and crime in Rhode Island that it is. The cousin Colin (Brian F. O'Byrne) is definitely an asset to the show as well to Michael (and my guess would be Tommy, too, if need be). And Michael will no doubt soon need all the help he can get ... attracting lightning is his place in this universe. Fionnula Flanagan, as feisty as last year as Rose, will be there to help, as well. But she won't be able to call upon Judd (Len Cariou) any more...   [read the full post]

By Paul Levinson Brotherhood returns for its second season on Showtime Sunday night - right after Dexter. From Miami to Providence - a great sweep of the eastern seaboard, and a great sweep for Showtime. I've seen an advance copy of the first four episodes. No spoilers below, except for what you have to know already: Brotherhood could never let Michael Caffee die. But I can say that I think the show is more thoughtful, even deeper than it was last year. Ethan Embry's giving a sterling performance as officer Giggs, and the complexity of his personal and professional life could support a series in itself. Brian F. O’Byrne joins Brotherhood as Caffee cousin Colin - from the other side of the Atlantic - and this adds an additional dimension to the family.   [read the full post]