"The Grid" (we never really know to what the title refers) is a 6x45 min miniseries action/drama about international terrorism. The bad guys are a rogue terror cell operating out of Yemen, deploying operatives to the UK and the US where they are to attack with sarin nerve gas. The good guys are a joint task force of Brits and US Federal agents who are out to stop the bad guys. The film leapfrogs incessantly from Yemen to London to Washington to Saudi Arabia to Chicago, etc. globe trotting in a surprisingly well orchestrated conglomeration of good vs evil Muslims, interagency wrangling, boyish suicide bombers, covert ops, murder, love, and much more given this US/UK co-op's budgetary constraints. On the upside, "The Grid" gets busy and stays busy sufficient to engross and make some of the obvious histrionics easily overlooked as it provides an acceptable overview of the amorphous nature of terrorist cells and the international agency cooperation required to effectively cope with this 21 century threat. On the downside the film is difficult to follow at times, somewhat disjointed in an effort to be all things to all people, pushes the believability envelope occasionally, and is generally too pat to be real. Overall, "The Grid" is an acceptable miniseries worth a look for those who can commit to a 4.5 hour small screen watch. Those who enjoy this miniseries should also check out "Traffic (2004)". (B-)
24 Reviews
well acted,tightly woven thriller
disdressed125 October 2006
Warning: Spoilers
"the grid" is a well written, tightly directed thriller/miniseries.i was hooked from the beginning of the first episode right to the end of the last episode.it was well paced, moving along quickly when it had to, and also slowing down when necessary for dramatic purposes, such as showing the home life of some of the characters,not just their work lives.this really put a human touch to the show and made you feel for the characters and root for them.it also showed them as infallible human beings,lending an air of authenticity to the show.there also dramatic scenes of tenderness between characters, which were well shot,and well acted.as a result rather than drag the film down, these scenes made it all the more riveting.all the actors were great, but i have to single out julianna margulies as the standout.i thought she was brilliant in this mini series showing great range.based on this performance, i would say she is one of the most underrated actors around.anyway,if you get a chance, watch this miniseries.you won't regret it.
First-class believable, thriller drama
nzpedals14 December 2016
There is a terrorist and others intent on destroying the "vulgar" western world. Totally committed, ruthless, anyone who gets in the way gets killed.
But on the other side is the various government agencies intent on catching the terrorists, and these ones will actually try to work together instead of their usual practices of keeping everything to themselves and not cooperating.
The title could be considered in two ways, 1. is the idea of horizontal and vertical lines that mesh and intersect and interweave - all that happens. 2. Then there is the idea of something like a power supply grid with lines reaching out everywhere - that happens too as the terrorists will go anywhere in the world to achieve their aims, and all the spooks will also go after them.
Great acting, writing, production and direction. And something perhaps to be scared of?
But on the other side is the various government agencies intent on catching the terrorists, and these ones will actually try to work together instead of their usual practices of keeping everything to themselves and not cooperating.
The title could be considered in two ways, 1. is the idea of horizontal and vertical lines that mesh and intersect and interweave - all that happens. 2. Then there is the idea of something like a power supply grid with lines reaching out everywhere - that happens too as the terrorists will go anywhere in the world to achieve their aims, and all the spooks will also go after them.
Great acting, writing, production and direction. And something perhaps to be scared of?
Diversity in terrorism
emmakhan3 August 2004
This is a pretty good series, and as a South Asian American (with Muslim heritage) I was intrigued by it. The best acting is done by the Brits and the Raza Michaels character.
And to the viewer who said it shows only Muslim terrorists- that is not true. Akil (the young scared Brit) does not practice Islam- his brother Hamid does. Kaz (the American blonde) turns to Islam because he has a bad relationship with his dad. These (youngish) guys have seen the "bad" side of life (jail/racism/poverty, or whatnot). So they look for a solution. Maybe they get into religion. Maybe violence. Or both. There are no easy solutions and all people are not black/white in their ways- and this show opens up about that.
And to the viewer who said it shows only Muslim terrorists- that is not true. Akil (the young scared Brit) does not practice Islam- his brother Hamid does. Kaz (the American blonde) turns to Islam because he has a bad relationship with his dad. These (youngish) guys have seen the "bad" side of life (jail/racism/poverty, or whatnot). So they look for a solution. Maybe they get into religion. Maybe violence. Or both. There are no easy solutions and all people are not black/white in their ways- and this show opens up about that.
the Grid
pfarnell12 July 2010
Id call this show more a case of (UK) "Spooks" meets '24" or "the Agency/threat Matrix" meets "24" , I cant see any "Alias" in it......
Some assesses that Kaz gets into terrorism because of a "poor relationship with his dad"...give me a break with the Political Correctness sleight of hand, , please.
He gets into terrorism because of his Chechen Muslim background and perception of grievance against "his people" by non-Muslim nations including America. In other words, the most common usual reason that Muslims like Kaz attack their own country and countrymen in contemporary religious terrorist acts.
Its an entertaining show with the middle-east locations, possibly a little far-fetched larger than life, in parts such as the grenade in the elevator incident...Id probably watch almost anything where I could look at Juliana Margulies eyebrows.
Some assesses that Kaz gets into terrorism because of a "poor relationship with his dad"...give me a break with the Political Correctness sleight of hand, , please.
He gets into terrorism because of his Chechen Muslim background and perception of grievance against "his people" by non-Muslim nations including America. In other words, the most common usual reason that Muslims like Kaz attack their own country and countrymen in contemporary religious terrorist acts.
Its an entertaining show with the middle-east locations, possibly a little far-fetched larger than life, in parts such as the grenade in the elevator incident...Id probably watch almost anything where I could look at Juliana Margulies eyebrows.
Great performance by Redgrave
Thulemanden16 June 2006
Warning: Spoilers
After reading the existing user comments I find it rather hard to add 10 lines, but I'll give it a try.
After the demise of the cold war it was obvious the movie industry would crack down on international crime and terror is an obvious victim.
In the Grid the revered 'special relationship' between the two United realms is drawn to attention.
The rivalry between the two nations intelligence organisations is far less than between each country's different services. However the rivalry in the movie does not stand out very clearly and could have been elaborated on with indication of the effect on the available intelligence to the executive decision makers.
One thing that stroke and irritated me was the naive character of the American 'first lady'. We see a very immature and young female with no heavy pondus to level the influence the script gives rise to over the heavy guys in the political intelligence environment. Julianna Margulies does not create a believable character and her statements and actions in the meetings seems ludicrous and could only satisfy a female teenager. I see the flaw as a way to entice young females to endorse the movie by getting the traditional power setup look stale and inefficient. It is a cheap measure and too unrealistic to be taken seriously.
Also leading the English brigade was another two women in charge of men adding to the suspicion the film caters to a female audience.
On the other hand the English female first dame is much more credible and her subtile acting talent soars like the sun over the desert. You instantly get the feeling how well this very, very intelligent agent softly manipulates her partners and how she holds control of the situation. (Jemma Redgrave). Personally I also found her a very attractive women, which does help :-) Likewise excellent stands the English actor Bernard Hill out. The American actors are overall stiff stereotypes.
Also performing excellently was the super terrorist and his ability to manipulate his cadres seeps eerily over the screen.
Deducting from the overall good experience was the out-of-place romance finishing off the agent relationship. The scene add nothing to the plot except for fulfilling a stereotype scene.
Continuity was overall good except for the hairdo in the bed scene of Emily Tuthill, who I once again want to point point out as the highlight of the movie in opposition to several of the former reviews who even found her icy. I can't believe someone wrote that.
After the demise of the cold war it was obvious the movie industry would crack down on international crime and terror is an obvious victim.
In the Grid the revered 'special relationship' between the two United realms is drawn to attention.
The rivalry between the two nations intelligence organisations is far less than between each country's different services. However the rivalry in the movie does not stand out very clearly and could have been elaborated on with indication of the effect on the available intelligence to the executive decision makers.
One thing that stroke and irritated me was the naive character of the American 'first lady'. We see a very immature and young female with no heavy pondus to level the influence the script gives rise to over the heavy guys in the political intelligence environment. Julianna Margulies does not create a believable character and her statements and actions in the meetings seems ludicrous and could only satisfy a female teenager. I see the flaw as a way to entice young females to endorse the movie by getting the traditional power setup look stale and inefficient. It is a cheap measure and too unrealistic to be taken seriously.
Also leading the English brigade was another two women in charge of men adding to the suspicion the film caters to a female audience.
On the other hand the English female first dame is much more credible and her subtile acting talent soars like the sun over the desert. You instantly get the feeling how well this very, very intelligent agent softly manipulates her partners and how she holds control of the situation. (Jemma Redgrave). Personally I also found her a very attractive women, which does help :-) Likewise excellent stands the English actor Bernard Hill out. The American actors are overall stiff stereotypes.
Also performing excellently was the super terrorist and his ability to manipulate his cadres seeps eerily over the screen.
Deducting from the overall good experience was the out-of-place romance finishing off the agent relationship. The scene add nothing to the plot except for fulfilling a stereotype scene.
Continuity was overall good except for the hairdo in the bed scene of Emily Tuthill, who I once again want to point point out as the highlight of the movie in opposition to several of the former reviews who even found her icy. I can't believe someone wrote that.
No terrorist escapes THE GRID...well, except that one guy
Mister_Anderson9 August 2004
Warning: Spoilers
I really enjoyed this miniseries. I was especially impressed by the action-packed and tense finale. I think it was a matter of many good parts coming together at once. It's never excellent, but I would call it "great" without much hesitation.
Solid acting by all, especially Bernard Hill. But really, they all acted well, even the bigger names (McDermott and Margulies). I particularly enjoyed all the agencies involved (Justice Dept., FBI, CIA, MI5, MI6)-this kept things interesting. And the terrorists were just as diverse and complex as the good guys.
Cheesy dialogue surfaced a couple times, but was surprising kept to a minimum (especially compared to most TV movies).
(SPOILER BELOW)
One thing I wish they had explained more is what happened to the terrorist doctor guy who did the Sarin attack in London during the finale. We see him right before the credits, but it appears he has gone back to his normal life. But shouldn't the grid still be tracking him down? Maybe I missed something.
Overall, though, you impressed me, TNT. I may even pick it up on DVD if the price is right.
Solid acting by all, especially Bernard Hill. But really, they all acted well, even the bigger names (McDermott and Margulies). I particularly enjoyed all the agencies involved (Justice Dept., FBI, CIA, MI5, MI6)-this kept things interesting. And the terrorists were just as diverse and complex as the good guys.
Cheesy dialogue surfaced a couple times, but was surprising kept to a minimum (especially compared to most TV movies).
(SPOILER BELOW)
One thing I wish they had explained more is what happened to the terrorist doctor guy who did the Sarin attack in London during the finale. We see him right before the credits, but it appears he has gone back to his normal life. But shouldn't the grid still be tracking him down? Maybe I missed something.
Overall, though, you impressed me, TNT. I may even pick it up on DVD if the price is right.
A neocon-Fox-Mamet co-production
hhfarm-12 December 2006
Warning: Spoilers
Bad daytime soap opera with superficial TV actors & actresses, no real plot, no character development, and your typical anti-Muslim perspective. All of the main actors are from TV-land and unable to rise up from that style of acting: heavy looks, long stares, punctilious walks towards the camera, histrionic dialogue. A combo CSI and Days of our Lives.
Dialogue is epigonic Mamet. "I know I'm right, but what if I'm not? Then we better pray". "We made a mistake. No it was my mistake." "I just bet my life on knowing the difference." There are just 4 alternating scenes, in no particular sequence: 1. Teletype-font subtitles appearing one character at a time with a staccato noise: "Situation room, NSA, Special Secret Bunker, Colorado"; "Kevin Farkas, Special Assistant Directing Manager for Counter-counter-terrorism"; "Ultra special really secret strategy session, Langley ...". This takes the place of any actual drama.
2. Dialogue-heavy emotional relationship scenes between two main characters that either explain the plot or an aspect of their relationship. Usually it's a long discussion of a relationship. This shows how human they are while they wait to see where the terrorists will next strike.
3. Meetings at huge conference tables, often with big TV screens in the background.
4. Short bursts of action around some plot point. Most of each scene is filler - the camera follows police through streets & corridors that add nothing to the story but do help to make up the 6-hour running time. Once someone reaches for a camera and is shot; later it's death over a cell phone. Two of the good guys snap and almost kill bad guys. But they later find time to talk about their motivations at great length.
I fell asleep for an hour or so during a conference room scene. I awoke in the middle of another. It hadn't made any sense before I fell asleep. I went back a few scenes and it was just the same thing.
There are 4 types of characters: 1. Young women (and 1-2 guys) who have impossibly risen to places of power in security agencies. They run the teams, make decisions, talk directly to the US president.
2. Haggard older women with scary makeup who run the agencies themselves.
3. Three good Muslims, one of whom manages to defend Muslims by saying "It would be like blaming Christians for the KKK." 4. Hordes of Muslim bad guys.
I suspect that the locus of the movie was "Let's make another anti-Muslim movie but with a twist: we'll have a couple of good Muslims; we'll show that the Saudis prosecute terrorists. But the head bad guy will of course spout a lot of Muslim rhetoric, utilize little kids, and murder randomly." My favorite scene is when the FBI guy explains how a character from Chechnya is actually a Muslim although though he's white - he even explains about the word Caucasian. So, yes, even white guys can be bad. And presumably black guys can be good.
If you watch a lot of TV and you like the neocons, you'll probably enjoy The Grid. And you'll probably remember that white Muslims are as bad as any other kind.
Dialogue is epigonic Mamet. "I know I'm right, but what if I'm not? Then we better pray". "We made a mistake. No it was my mistake." "I just bet my life on knowing the difference." There are just 4 alternating scenes, in no particular sequence: 1. Teletype-font subtitles appearing one character at a time with a staccato noise: "Situation room, NSA, Special Secret Bunker, Colorado"; "Kevin Farkas, Special Assistant Directing Manager for Counter-counter-terrorism"; "Ultra special really secret strategy session, Langley ...". This takes the place of any actual drama.
2. Dialogue-heavy emotional relationship scenes between two main characters that either explain the plot or an aspect of their relationship. Usually it's a long discussion of a relationship. This shows how human they are while they wait to see where the terrorists will next strike.
3. Meetings at huge conference tables, often with big TV screens in the background.
4. Short bursts of action around some plot point. Most of each scene is filler - the camera follows police through streets & corridors that add nothing to the story but do help to make up the 6-hour running time. Once someone reaches for a camera and is shot; later it's death over a cell phone. Two of the good guys snap and almost kill bad guys. But they later find time to talk about their motivations at great length.
I fell asleep for an hour or so during a conference room scene. I awoke in the middle of another. It hadn't made any sense before I fell asleep. I went back a few scenes and it was just the same thing.
There are 4 types of characters: 1. Young women (and 1-2 guys) who have impossibly risen to places of power in security agencies. They run the teams, make decisions, talk directly to the US president.
2. Haggard older women with scary makeup who run the agencies themselves.
3. Three good Muslims, one of whom manages to defend Muslims by saying "It would be like blaming Christians for the KKK." 4. Hordes of Muslim bad guys.
I suspect that the locus of the movie was "Let's make another anti-Muslim movie but with a twist: we'll have a couple of good Muslims; we'll show that the Saudis prosecute terrorists. But the head bad guy will of course spout a lot of Muslim rhetoric, utilize little kids, and murder randomly." My favorite scene is when the FBI guy explains how a character from Chechnya is actually a Muslim although though he's white - he even explains about the word Caucasian. So, yes, even white guys can be bad. And presumably black guys can be good.
If you watch a lot of TV and you like the neocons, you'll probably enjoy The Grid. And you'll probably remember that white Muslims are as bad as any other kind.
One side, one dimensional. Don't fool yourself - this is NOT British POV
vlahov5 March 2007
This is not something that pretends to be reality. Don't fool yourself. This is constantly yankee point of view of what terrorists are. You will never understand the real reasons that are to turn someone from average citizen to cold blooded terrorist. After all, that is what cinema are to tell us - the roots. None here. All characters are one sided and one dimensional. Pure binary representatives of human characters which cannot be seen in the real life. Apart from awful acting and numerous factual errors, this is just pure propaganda series which are meant to be shown only in America and I am mostly disturbed our local TV decides to show it at prime time.
1/10 from me and that is more than it deserves.
1/10 from me and that is more than it deserves.
Worth seeing, but not as good as it could have been
cableaddict20 July 2004
I'll start by saying that I definitely enjoyed the first episode. The two hours pretty much flew by. I highly recommend this to anyone.
However, there are a few glaring flaws:
With two exceptions, virtually all the main characters are young and beautiful. , they are all supposed to be highly seasoned veterans in extremely high
positions within their respective agencies, Yeah, right.
At least most of them are terrific actors. The one GLARING exception is Julianna Margulies. She was fine in her TV role as a nurse, and I liked her a lot in "Elysian fields." However, she is PAINFULLY miscast in this series. She's so non-believable (not to mention wooden) that everytime she was on-screen I got jolted out of the action with a blaring
reminder that I was watching a tv series. Awful. Maybe she's battling a drug addiction or alcohol, who knows....
OK, but other than the above, the premier episode was terrific. Excellent
cinematography, excellent screenplay, editing, etc. Also, as others have said, the "bad guys" aren't presented as one-dimensional. Rather, both sides of the conflict are presented with equal respect, and that's really something. There's a lot in this series to make you think.
HIGHLY recommended.
However, there are a few glaring flaws:
With two exceptions, virtually all the main characters are young and beautiful. , they are all supposed to be highly seasoned veterans in extremely high
positions within their respective agencies, Yeah, right.
At least most of them are terrific actors. The one GLARING exception is Julianna Margulies. She was fine in her TV role as a nurse, and I liked her a lot in "Elysian fields." However, she is PAINFULLY miscast in this series. She's so non-believable (not to mention wooden) that everytime she was on-screen I got jolted out of the action with a blaring
reminder that I was watching a tv series. Awful. Maybe she's battling a drug addiction or alcohol, who knows....
OK, but other than the above, the premier episode was terrific. Excellent
cinematography, excellent screenplay, editing, etc. Also, as others have said, the "bad guys" aren't presented as one-dimensional. Rather, both sides of the conflict are presented with equal respect, and that's really something. There's a lot in this series to make you think.
HIGHLY recommended.
The DVD
Nylind3 November 2004
This was a powerful series. Well-acted, Well-written. I disagree with people who say Julianna Margulies was out of her element, her character Merrin was just the type of woman you want in the government tough, smart, and strong-willed. Dylan McDermot was good as the Special Agent in-charge of New York's Joint terrorism taskforce. My favorite character was Jemma Redgrave's Emily Tuthill. Jemma was an actress I had never seen before she gave a very powerful performance especially toward the end in her scenes with the actor who played Reza, the CIA analyst turned field agent. Anyone that feels that Emily and Reza's scenes were out of place in a serious drama, I say well love, intimacy, and the beginnings of a strong relationship can be born under stranger circumstances.
In terms of Screen writing the strongest character relationship were the scenes between Maren and under mentor Former Secretary of State Jay Aldrich played by Robert Forester. When Aldrich describes Maren as being cool under pressure and well suited for chaos, the audience gets the feeling that Maren was both highly trained and well suited for her position but, written as well as it was, it also communicates that Maren's skills are both battle worn and still highly effective.
The DVD is reasonably priced at 14.00 dollars or so on two discs, with great extras about film and actor's discussing the mindset needed to work in Counterterrorism, buy this powerful miniseries. I would call this a must for anyone interested in Counterterrorism work for the government. I realize that television dramas like "The Agency" and "The Grid" are fictional and not really how working in Counterterrorism is, but "The Grid" made the journey both mildly realistic and entertaining.
At least it gets one interested in learning about the subject matter from non-fiction sources. To begin I suggest reading "Against All Enemies" by former NSC Manager Richard A. Clarke.
In terms of Screen writing the strongest character relationship were the scenes between Maren and under mentor Former Secretary of State Jay Aldrich played by Robert Forester. When Aldrich describes Maren as being cool under pressure and well suited for chaos, the audience gets the feeling that Maren was both highly trained and well suited for her position but, written as well as it was, it also communicates that Maren's skills are both battle worn and still highly effective.
The DVD is reasonably priced at 14.00 dollars or so on two discs, with great extras about film and actor's discussing the mindset needed to work in Counterterrorism, buy this powerful miniseries. I would call this a must for anyone interested in Counterterrorism work for the government. I realize that television dramas like "The Agency" and "The Grid" are fictional and not really how working in Counterterrorism is, but "The Grid" made the journey both mildly realistic and entertaining.
At least it gets one interested in learning about the subject matter from non-fiction sources. To begin I suggest reading "Against All Enemies" by former NSC Manager Richard A. Clarke.
Engaging, Intelligent, Thoughtful
dee.reid20 July 2004
I was at first very skeptical towards "The Grid," a show that offers an insider's view on the United States War on Terror, as this show seemed certain to provoke more outrage and mistrust amongst Americans. The previews certainly made it look that way too. Then last night (July 19, 2004) came and I got a chance to view the show in its entirety, and I must say that it makes for thoughtful entertainment.
Whether you agree with President George W. Bush's politics or not (for the record, I don't support him), I think "The Grid" will do a good job of showing us that the people at the top may always lie to us on a daily basis, but they are trying to stop terrorism, which unfortunately for us, is never going away (a little morbid, you and I may think, but true).
The story for "The Grid," the title referring to the organizations who are involved in fighting or masterminding terrorism, begins in London, where three men attempting a terrorist attack on a nearby hotel fail miserably, when their weapon of choice (Sarin bombs encased in coffee pots) accidentally goes off, and kills everyone that is exposed to it (body count: 19). News of this spreads quickly and eventually it becomes evident to everyone on both sides of the Atlantic that a huge plot is underway by members of a lunatic fringe associated with Osama Bin Laden's al-Qaeda terrorist camp.
We are later introduced to members of both sides of the War on Terror, including the aforementioned people at the top, the newly formed extremist camp (including some of its obviously conflicted members), and the struggle between the powers-that-be over information and within the terrorist camp.
"The Grid" was created by Tracey Alexander (who is also the show's executive producer), and has said that it is her way of dealing with the events of 9/11, the terrorists and the powers-that-be in Washington, D.C. and Britain who can't seem to get it together to protect their people.
This show doesn't offer us a one-sided view of the so-called "evildoers" and their associates, some of whom as we're shown, are forced into the fringe because they have no other choice. Some of the men shown, are respectable individuals; one man is a physician, who joins because the hospital where he works cannot afford medicine to treat its patients. We are also shown a devoted Muslim man working for the C.I.A., who faces much mistrust from his fellow workers, especially his own boss.
"The Grid" could also teach us some things about what really goes on. For one, something that I learned from a friend of mine who is from Iran, that the word "jihad" does not mean "holy war," as some of the extremists and American news media have put it; the word in fact, means to strive for a better way of life.
Much of what goes on in "The Grid" will not come as news to anyone who pays close attention to politics. We know that intelligence failures played heavily into the events of 9/11, we know that the powers-that-be in Washington and Great Britain were/are still in the middle of a power struggle, we know at least partially, some of the motivations for the extremists' desires to kill Americans (rid the Middle East of Western culture and influence) and that some of the members of the lunatic fringe are human beings, not soulless monsters as the Administration sometimes makes them out to be.
You may not agree with the politics, you may not agree with the message, but "The Grid" is certainly a show that I think most Americans should see, and make up their own minds about the direction that our country is going in the War on Terror.
Whether you agree with President George W. Bush's politics or not (for the record, I don't support him), I think "The Grid" will do a good job of showing us that the people at the top may always lie to us on a daily basis, but they are trying to stop terrorism, which unfortunately for us, is never going away (a little morbid, you and I may think, but true).
The story for "The Grid," the title referring to the organizations who are involved in fighting or masterminding terrorism, begins in London, where three men attempting a terrorist attack on a nearby hotel fail miserably, when their weapon of choice (Sarin bombs encased in coffee pots) accidentally goes off, and kills everyone that is exposed to it (body count: 19). News of this spreads quickly and eventually it becomes evident to everyone on both sides of the Atlantic that a huge plot is underway by members of a lunatic fringe associated with Osama Bin Laden's al-Qaeda terrorist camp.
We are later introduced to members of both sides of the War on Terror, including the aforementioned people at the top, the newly formed extremist camp (including some of its obviously conflicted members), and the struggle between the powers-that-be over information and within the terrorist camp.
"The Grid" was created by Tracey Alexander (who is also the show's executive producer), and has said that it is her way of dealing with the events of 9/11, the terrorists and the powers-that-be in Washington, D.C. and Britain who can't seem to get it together to protect their people.
This show doesn't offer us a one-sided view of the so-called "evildoers" and their associates, some of whom as we're shown, are forced into the fringe because they have no other choice. Some of the men shown, are respectable individuals; one man is a physician, who joins because the hospital where he works cannot afford medicine to treat its patients. We are also shown a devoted Muslim man working for the C.I.A., who faces much mistrust from his fellow workers, especially his own boss.
"The Grid" could also teach us some things about what really goes on. For one, something that I learned from a friend of mine who is from Iran, that the word "jihad" does not mean "holy war," as some of the extremists and American news media have put it; the word in fact, means to strive for a better way of life.
Much of what goes on in "The Grid" will not come as news to anyone who pays close attention to politics. We know that intelligence failures played heavily into the events of 9/11, we know that the powers-that-be in Washington and Great Britain were/are still in the middle of a power struggle, we know at least partially, some of the motivations for the extremists' desires to kill Americans (rid the Middle East of Western culture and influence) and that some of the members of the lunatic fringe are human beings, not soulless monsters as the Administration sometimes makes them out to be.
You may not agree with the politics, you may not agree with the message, but "The Grid" is certainly a show that I think most Americans should see, and make up their own minds about the direction that our country is going in the War on Terror.
Great entertainment
spaha424a28 July 2004
the grid is fabulous -- beautifully written: Raza to Emily "Sex like love is an act of devotion," beautifully acted -- wonderful television. Go TNT! By the way, I believe that Raza Michael's name is Piter Marek. The casting is diverse as are the locations. The Grid could have very easily been a theatrical movie, albeit, it would have had to be shorten. But that is why television is great, especially when it is allowed to be great. TNT but together an intelligent piece of entertainment. The characters are very well drawn out. We are already seeing the many different shades of people that live in this vast world of ours. The Grid lets us see that not everyone of a particular culture or ethnicity is bad. And please Raza Michaels is Piter Marek.
A lively and exciting start - but it goes downhill fast in the final section
gray410 September 2004
An interesting joint venture between BBC, Fox and TNT. The problems of international cooperation between security agencies loom large in the mini-series (shown in three parts by the BBC). But they also seem to have affected the production itself. The first two parts were exciting, despite having to keep tabs on fast-moving events across the globe and track a number of one-dimensional characters.
The final section tried to give some more flesh to these characters - and that's when the problems started. The two 'leads' (at least their names came up before the title) were pathetic, with wooden acting, embarrassing dialogue and trashy sentimentality. Who are Dylan McDermott and Juliana Marguelis and how did they get the leads? They are handicapped even further with silly names - Marin and Max Canary, though not as silly as Tom Skerritt's "Acton Sandman"!
The 'minor' actors, notably Bernard Hill - superb as a grizzled security chief showing Skerritt what real acting is all about - along with Piter Fattouche, who triumphs over the disadvantage of being cast as the "good Moslem" and Jemma Redgrave, who was absolutely brilliant as a troubled British security agent. But the final part had too much of the Americans, presumably to justify the Fox/TNT money, and it fell away sadly. So the high opinion I had of The Grid after Part two was drastically modified by the end of Part three, confirming my belief that I do not want to see IMDb reviews from reviewers who have only seen part of a series.
The final section tried to give some more flesh to these characters - and that's when the problems started. The two 'leads' (at least their names came up before the title) were pathetic, with wooden acting, embarrassing dialogue and trashy sentimentality. Who are Dylan McDermott and Juliana Marguelis and how did they get the leads? They are handicapped even further with silly names - Marin and Max Canary, though not as silly as Tom Skerritt's "Acton Sandman"!
The 'minor' actors, notably Bernard Hill - superb as a grizzled security chief showing Skerritt what real acting is all about - along with Piter Fattouche, who triumphs over the disadvantage of being cast as the "good Moslem" and Jemma Redgrave, who was absolutely brilliant as a troubled British security agent. But the final part had too much of the Americans, presumably to justify the Fox/TNT money, and it fell away sadly. So the high opinion I had of The Grid after Part two was drastically modified by the end of Part three, confirming my belief that I do not want to see IMDb reviews from reviewers who have only seen part of a series.
Writers' overworked imaginations almost ruined a well-made subject.
Mnk!9 September 2004
What a pity to write in all that long distance control of on-the-spot special forces operations via voice and monitor. Can you imagine hard-arsed Delta and SAS troopers taking direct orders from pushy females watching monitors from several thousand miles away? Especially females that keep on falling in love with their operatives all over the place? And Julie Margulies was straight out of a Hollywood daytime soap - the bitch-maneater, on top of the job, ruthless, uncompromising... Hair never out of place, cute hats, purposeful big-shoulders walk. Puhlease! And why superimpose dozens of subtitles without giving viewers time enough to actually read them. There's a rule about this and it's based on basic intelligence: subtitles are there to be read - if you don't want to give enough time to read them, then simply refrain from using them at all. Who was the brain behind this? Despite all, The Grid was very well made and deserved something a whole lot better in the acting and directorial department. Shame.
Too Many Cooks
Theo Robertson11 September 2004
Just before THE GRID was broadcast I came to this page and found out that THE GRID was a BBC / American co-production and had first been screened on US television . This utterly surprised me since all the trailers seemed to make a big thing about the British cast ( Most notably Bernard Hill who not only appeared in every trailer for this but every single trailer for the Olympic games too ) but upon watching the first episode it becomes very obvious the amount of American involvement in this drama . This might not have been a bad thing since American television has brought us some great dramas in the last few years ( Am I the only Brit who loved OZ ? ) but THE GRID isn't one of them
Despite having only one director and two credited writers THE GRID feels it was produced by a commitee numbering several hundred people and this shows through on screen
Will it appeal to Tom Clancy junkies ? - Check
Are there bedhopping scenes to appeal to SEX AND THE CITY fans ? - Check
Are there both good and bad Muslim characters to show that not all Muslims are terrorists . We don't want allegations of racism with this show - Check
This is a drama /thriller that is trying to appeal to the entire TV audience on both sides of the Atlantic and this is where the mini series fails . Maren Jackson might be a hot American babe while Emily Tuthill will appeal to those viewers who like frosty English ice maidens but are their sex lives that important to the plot ? ( A plot which I thought was overstretched ) Mind you when you've got dialogue like
" Come to spoil the tea party ? "
" I've no intention of spoiling your tea party . I drink my tea in Long Island - Ice cold "
I guess you might expect a bit of sex since it sounds like it came out of a blue movie
So THE GRID fails down to the fact there seems to be too many cooks pouring some iced tea
Despite having only one director and two credited writers THE GRID feels it was produced by a commitee numbering several hundred people and this shows through on screen
Will it appeal to Tom Clancy junkies ? - Check
Are there bedhopping scenes to appeal to SEX AND THE CITY fans ? - Check
Are there both good and bad Muslim characters to show that not all Muslims are terrorists . We don't want allegations of racism with this show - Check
This is a drama /thriller that is trying to appeal to the entire TV audience on both sides of the Atlantic and this is where the mini series fails . Maren Jackson might be a hot American babe while Emily Tuthill will appeal to those viewers who like frosty English ice maidens but are their sex lives that important to the plot ? ( A plot which I thought was overstretched ) Mind you when you've got dialogue like
" Come to spoil the tea party ? "
" I've no intention of spoiling your tea party . I drink my tea in Long Island - Ice cold "
I guess you might expect a bit of sex since it sounds like it came out of a blue movie
So THE GRID fails down to the fact there seems to be too many cooks pouring some iced tea
It's 24, except its global, and takes many days, but still works.
NYR75200119 July 2004
I have just seen the first episode of the series, and it was compelling and well made.
It reminded me of watching 24, without the high speed tension, and localized setting. This is a global 24 that isn't really hour by hour. But it works well, very well. In fact as you're watching you can sit there and see it working very well. It doesn't just involve the Americans doing everything, which is a nice change. I guess I should organize this a bit better and go into detail about a few of the things I like.
First, I think recent events of the 9/11 commission and their ideas of making a centralized system, as seen in the show. It shows how the CIA and other agencies seem to dislike each other and in fact seems that it is quite like real life. These with recent events make it feel as if you could be watching the news of what could really be happening.
Second, it's nice to be in London, seeing MI5 and MI6, doing their own work, and the relationship between those to agencies, as well as US intelligence.
Third, the acting is quite good for a made for TV movie, and the development of each was well done. It is quite bloody, and has a nice amount of explosions. The camera work is nice and works well.
Fourth, and lastly, the story itself seems to be very well crafted. It fits in so well to today's society that it is quite capable of being a news broadcast rather then fiction.
In the end it is an all around well crafted TV "limited" series, and I will be back next Monday to watch it again! 9/10
It reminded me of watching 24, without the high speed tension, and localized setting. This is a global 24 that isn't really hour by hour. But it works well, very well. In fact as you're watching you can sit there and see it working very well. It doesn't just involve the Americans doing everything, which is a nice change. I guess I should organize this a bit better and go into detail about a few of the things I like.
First, I think recent events of the 9/11 commission and their ideas of making a centralized system, as seen in the show. It shows how the CIA and other agencies seem to dislike each other and in fact seems that it is quite like real life. These with recent events make it feel as if you could be watching the news of what could really be happening.
Second, it's nice to be in London, seeing MI5 and MI6, doing their own work, and the relationship between those to agencies, as well as US intelligence.
Third, the acting is quite good for a made for TV movie, and the development of each was well done. It is quite bloody, and has a nice amount of explosions. The camera work is nice and works well.
Fourth, and lastly, the story itself seems to be very well crafted. It fits in so well to today's society that it is quite capable of being a news broadcast rather then fiction.
In the end it is an all around well crafted TV "limited" series, and I will be back next Monday to watch it again! 9/10
Unsatisfying
Alex-3728 September 2004
I don't like this mini series. It tries to be "24", but it doesn't have the guts, the writing ability or the actors to get away with it.
No one in this series is likable. I don't like the switching back and forth between uppercrust English (Hari Kumar, anyone?) and arabic dialog, because no one talks like that. Dermot Mulroney who is no Kiefer Sutherland, comes of as a selfrighteous prick, Jemma Redgrave looks plain (unlike the rest of the family), and the British cast seems to have walked straight out of one of the myriad of second tier British cop series.
When watching this stuff, I thought "there are Miami Vice episodes made 20 years ago that this dreck couldn't touch". And that's with all modern technology.
No one in this series is likable. I don't like the switching back and forth between uppercrust English (Hari Kumar, anyone?) and arabic dialog, because no one talks like that. Dermot Mulroney who is no Kiefer Sutherland, comes of as a selfrighteous prick, Jemma Redgrave looks plain (unlike the rest of the family), and the British cast seems to have walked straight out of one of the myriad of second tier British cop series.
When watching this stuff, I thought "there are Miami Vice episodes made 20 years ago that this dreck couldn't touch". And that's with all modern technology.
Constantly on the verge of good, but never there.
J. Ryan2 August 2004
The script, locations, story, and timeliness (New York City is now yet again on high alert from terrorist threats) are perfect. The cast is competent as well. There are even certain subplots that are great (the sister of the ex-Mujahadeen doctor exhorting her brother AGAINST the taking of a life).
Yet when all the elements are placed together, the series falls flat. The execution is horrible. Timing and editing is choppy but the worst is the uninspired musical score.
The Grid is worth watching because the plot is so intelligently complex, but be mindful of the glaring flaws. Where Threat Matrix succeeded, the Grid fails. The former was able to take complex stories and condense them into 1 hour vignettes. The latter has a great story, but it just drags.
Yet when all the elements are placed together, the series falls flat. The execution is horrible. Timing and editing is choppy but the worst is the uninspired musical score.
The Grid is worth watching because the plot is so intelligently complex, but be mindful of the glaring flaws. Where Threat Matrix succeeded, the Grid fails. The former was able to take complex stories and condense them into 1 hour vignettes. The latter has a great story, but it just drags.
Good work!
MattGUK18 September 2004
1. Either I'm at right angles to the rest of the world(knowing me, that's a possibility;)) or the characterisation of this was actually pretty good. With all due respect to iceman Jack Bauer, good guys who are not all-out professional are easier to relate to IMO.
2. As for the jihadis, well at one extreme there was Kaz who I wanted to get blown up by his own bomb in the middle of nowhere. So mate, why do you want to take part in mass murder? You feel you have to prove your manhood? What a sicko.
At the other end of the scale was the Egyptian doctor guy.
In theory not that bad a person, wants the best for his patients etc etc. Wanted out after the Lagos bomb. Got suckered back to the jihadi cause a bit too easily for my liking though but then again his only target in London were the Arab oilmen who he though were responsible for stonewalling the development of his clinic. Then again he did back up Kaz's efforts in Chicago but he also questioned the younger guy's reasoning. Complicated.
3. Brave gamble by Raeza at the end there but I had a hunch he'd lose it.
4. So Acton was backing up Muhamed's crew yet he's still around? What's that about?
All in all though this was a job well done IMO.
2. As for the jihadis, well at one extreme there was Kaz who I wanted to get blown up by his own bomb in the middle of nowhere. So mate, why do you want to take part in mass murder? You feel you have to prove your manhood? What a sicko.
At the other end of the scale was the Egyptian doctor guy.
In theory not that bad a person, wants the best for his patients etc etc. Wanted out after the Lagos bomb. Got suckered back to the jihadi cause a bit too easily for my liking though but then again his only target in London were the Arab oilmen who he though were responsible for stonewalling the development of his clinic. Then again he did back up Kaz's efforts in Chicago but he also questioned the younger guy's reasoning. Complicated.
3. Brave gamble by Raeza at the end there but I had a hunch he'd lose it.
4. So Acton was backing up Muhamed's crew yet he's still around? What's that about?
All in all though this was a job well done IMO.
Not awesome, but fairly entertaining
Identification20 July 2004
Warning: Spoilers
The Grid is a show starring Dylan McDermott and Julianna Marguilies, among a host of other characters, who are involved in an interagency counterterrorism team, trying to apprehend a cell based in Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, and New York.
The plot is relatively average (reminded me of the Siege, although I thought the Siege was much, much better), but it moves along really well. I wasn't bored.
The visual effects are really cool--- the opening credits are a neat trick, and the scenery of different countries appears to be quite accurate, which you don't often get with TV shows.
The characters are somewhat one-dimensional (one woman is very driven and very rude, another is vengeful after a friend's death, and one is a good man who is unwillingly drawn into a terrorist scheme) but they're still entertaining. This isn't exactly award-winning, nor is it worthy of the Top Five TV-Shows Of All Time, but I had a good time. As long as you don't judge too highly it's a pretty good few hours.
SPOILER:
The only thing I didn't like was the angst regarding 9/11. They make reference to this *all the time*--- Dylan McDermott's character had a friend who was killed at the World Trade Center and he's very bitter about it. Granted, this was a horrible thing that happened, and victim's family and friends have been through a lot of suffering--- but I get it, you don't need to tell me five times. That's really my only complaint.
Bottom line: Pretty good. Not totally awesome and cool and addictive, but pretty good.
The plot is relatively average (reminded me of the Siege, although I thought the Siege was much, much better), but it moves along really well. I wasn't bored.
The visual effects are really cool--- the opening credits are a neat trick, and the scenery of different countries appears to be quite accurate, which you don't often get with TV shows.
The characters are somewhat one-dimensional (one woman is very driven and very rude, another is vengeful after a friend's death, and one is a good man who is unwillingly drawn into a terrorist scheme) but they're still entertaining. This isn't exactly award-winning, nor is it worthy of the Top Five TV-Shows Of All Time, but I had a good time. As long as you don't judge too highly it's a pretty good few hours.
SPOILER:
The only thing I didn't like was the angst regarding 9/11. They make reference to this *all the time*--- Dylan McDermott's character had a friend who was killed at the World Trade Center and he's very bitter about it. Granted, this was a horrible thing that happened, and victim's family and friends have been through a lot of suffering--- but I get it, you don't need to tell me five times. That's really my only complaint.
Bottom line: Pretty good. Not totally awesome and cool and addictive, but pretty good.
Not excellent, but worth watching
Decrypt38 August 2004
Warning: Spoilers
This comment contains spoilers, unless you've seen the third episode.
The release of "The Grid" could not have come at a better time. One of the primary conflicts in the series is the bureaucracy involved between the various American and British intelligence agencies, right when we're in the midst of all this stuff in the real world about an "intelligence czar" and a national counter-terrorism center. One of the series' merits is that it shows what could happen if the government lets bureaucracy get in the way of actually fighting terrorism.
Some have objected to "The Grid" on the basis of its being racist. I have two counter- arguments. The first is that Muslim extremists are the group identified by a lot of Americans as the primary terrorist group in the world, so involving any other group would not "click" with audiences. Sad but true, I know. The second counter-argument is that the series makes an effort to humanize the antagonists. Ragib Mutar, for example, gets unwillingly caught up in the terrorist plot, initially only because he wants the best for his patients, and he suffers greatly for his involvement.
Most of the actors are good enough to hold up the story. The exceptions are, unfortunately, the two main actors, the only ones who are named in the trailers: Julianna Margulies and Dylan McDermott. Neither of them seems to be able to evoke the appropriate emotions on screen. I can't speak for Margulies, but I know McDermott is a fairly good actor (from seeing him on "The Practice"). Here, he's either not trying or he's miscast.
The supporting actors are excellent, especially Tom Skerritt, Jemma Redgrave and Bernard Hill. Hill was a superb choice to play Derek Jennings - he is a natural tough guy and very British. He even looks like a grizzled veteran. You don't see him really act like one until the third episode - see below - but when he does, he's amazingly convincing. Redgrave creates mystery around her character very well - you can never be sure exactly what she's thinking or what her intentions are. We see that the character can be very cool and calm, but at other times she shows emotion, but you get the feelings those emotions might be fake.
Especially during the pilot episode, the action seemed to drag a bit too long. The pace only really started to pick up towards the end, where the FBI raids a warehouse. I never really felt a lot of suspense and adrenaline except for one scene in the third episode involving Derek Jennings in an elevator. That made my heart pound crazily. You see Bernard Hill's skill as an actor - you can tell he's suspicious of the assassin, but you can't tell that he knows who he is. You wonder if Jennings' experience and training will save his life or if he will become just another victim.
I look forward to the finale, when all the intricate plot threads will finally come together (hopefully). I will definitely be watching it, and I hope it doesn't go downhill.
The release of "The Grid" could not have come at a better time. One of the primary conflicts in the series is the bureaucracy involved between the various American and British intelligence agencies, right when we're in the midst of all this stuff in the real world about an "intelligence czar" and a national counter-terrorism center. One of the series' merits is that it shows what could happen if the government lets bureaucracy get in the way of actually fighting terrorism.
Some have objected to "The Grid" on the basis of its being racist. I have two counter- arguments. The first is that Muslim extremists are the group identified by a lot of Americans as the primary terrorist group in the world, so involving any other group would not "click" with audiences. Sad but true, I know. The second counter-argument is that the series makes an effort to humanize the antagonists. Ragib Mutar, for example, gets unwillingly caught up in the terrorist plot, initially only because he wants the best for his patients, and he suffers greatly for his involvement.
Most of the actors are good enough to hold up the story. The exceptions are, unfortunately, the two main actors, the only ones who are named in the trailers: Julianna Margulies and Dylan McDermott. Neither of them seems to be able to evoke the appropriate emotions on screen. I can't speak for Margulies, but I know McDermott is a fairly good actor (from seeing him on "The Practice"). Here, he's either not trying or he's miscast.
The supporting actors are excellent, especially Tom Skerritt, Jemma Redgrave and Bernard Hill. Hill was a superb choice to play Derek Jennings - he is a natural tough guy and very British. He even looks like a grizzled veteran. You don't see him really act like one until the third episode - see below - but when he does, he's amazingly convincing. Redgrave creates mystery around her character very well - you can never be sure exactly what she's thinking or what her intentions are. We see that the character can be very cool and calm, but at other times she shows emotion, but you get the feelings those emotions might be fake.
Especially during the pilot episode, the action seemed to drag a bit too long. The pace only really started to pick up towards the end, where the FBI raids a warehouse. I never really felt a lot of suspense and adrenaline except for one scene in the third episode involving Derek Jennings in an elevator. That made my heart pound crazily. You see Bernard Hill's skill as an actor - you can tell he's suspicious of the assassin, but you can't tell that he knows who he is. You wonder if Jennings' experience and training will save his life or if he will become just another victim.
I look forward to the finale, when all the intricate plot threads will finally come together (hopefully). I will definitely be watching it, and I hope it doesn't go downhill.
not a good show, not a good message
sylvfilm25 July 2004
This show I didn't really like. The show doesn't create much stereotypes, well kind of...mostly on the characters. This to me, is just a typical action TV show. Dylan Mcdermott, whatever is name is...he's a bad actor in this show. Not only that but this show has horrible dialogue. I mean, when I heard him talking about his thoughts about 9/11 and how he hated the Muslims that day, it was so stupid. It was such a ridiculous speech and Dylan did a bad job of acting out the emotions. Not only that but I think this show creates a bad message to Muslims and about terrorism. First off, I think we as America are making a big deal about terrorism, I know it's because of 9/11. And that was horrible day for me too...but we don't deal with it everyday or every year. We should be glad that we don't live in Israel or any other world countries that have to deal with terrorism almost everyday. War on terror will always be fought and never be won, the only way to stop it is to prevent it. We've been dealing with terror all our lives, because it's hatred. We've dealt with it since the KKK, even though, Mr. Bush doesn't think the KKK is a terrorist group, he is sadly mistaken. The other thing is also that we need to stop saying that it's the muslims and that terrorism only happens in the middle-east. There's terrorism in Sri Lanka, Brazil, Japan, there's the IRA, the GIT, they're everywhere. We're lucky that we don't deal with that much. The best way of dealing with terrorism is to not be afraid, otherwise they win. And the other thing we need to do is to secure our country in order to prevent attacks and take action upon it. I hope later on this show, they'll show other terrorist groups and create a better message about it. But...the show sucks anyways, because of it's predicable and awful dialogue, lack of emotional impact, and it's poor acting. This show I wouldn't recommend.
The Terrorists
e_clagerlof26 July 2004
We set aside a quiet time to watch the tape of the first show, and just completed the second episode. The photography is wonderful. Most of the actors/characters are multi-dimensional and the story line is quite balanced in developing them. The pace of the show keeps you interested and engaged. I am disappointed, however, that we have yet one more show where 'terrorist' really only means Muslim, or at best, Arab. Last time I looked, there were terrorists from all countries, races, religions and genders. Oh well, another reason to read a good book, listen to music or take a walk on the beach. (The sunsets here are incredible!)
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