It's hard to pass up an opportunity to go down the proverbial rabbit hole Kiefer Sutherlandso when Paramount+ dangles a Kiefer carrot in front of you, you really just want to dive in. As he did in his Emmy winner hand-in 24 and later, inside designated survivor, Sutherland plays another conflicted character in his new series, Rabbit hole.
Creators Glenn Ficarra and John Requa, who previously created magic with I love you Phillip Morris and the emotional series This is usgive viewers plenty to snoop in this corporate espionage thriller where, again - at least for Sutherland's John Weir - saving the day is on the agenda.
Ficarra and Requa have put together a robust cast here Game of Thrones' Charles Dance striking as the mysterious Dr. Ben Wilson. The acting legend chews up landscapes like only he can, forming the basis of this often frenetic series. More about that later. Meanwhile, Meta Golding (Rich)Enid Graham (Mare van Easttown), Walt Klink (Arctic Circle), Rob Yang (Succession) and Jason Butler Harner (Ozark) come along for the bumpy ride. Let's dive in...
A promising starting point
Nothing is what it seems Rabbit hole. That's what the show's writers are giving viewers. John Weir of Sutherland is accused of murder by ominous forces in a kind of deep state conspiracy, one that can influence and control the populace. John must clear his name and take down the bad guys, but who are they? Could they be some of John's closest associates? Or new people suddenly appearing in John's life? It's everyone's guess.
Okay. That works. It's a good starting point. However, it is not always executed effectively, especially in the first three episodes. Suspending belief and getting into the creative twists a series offers is all part of our love of streaming series. But here the writers sometimes go too far.
For example, are we led to believe that the beleaguered John of Sutherland - a man wanted for murder and hunted - can simply put on new clothes, don a cap and storm through the security of any building he pleases without being noticed? Just because he's good at barking orders as a grounds inspector? But the writers want the character to enter the building, so John enters the building.
What works, what doesn't
Rack? Good. Execution? Doubtful. So, how about some TV romance? For that we have the lovely Meta Golding as Hailey Winton. She and John share a night of passion and suddenly Hailey is swept up in his mess. There are a few tonal quirks with the character initially, perhaps intentional; however, the writers give Golding, a great actress, more to watch out for as the series unfolds. For the biggest part, Rabbit hole has the potential to shine as John and Hailey try to get to know each other as people. But we are quickly distracted to the drama unfolding around them.
Enid Graham brings a refreshing lightness to the show by playing FBI agent "Jo" Madi. Hopefully, the writers will continue to provide the character with the best one-liners throughout the show. There's something appealing about the way Graham pronounces a sentence, especially during a crisis. So, check. The FBI agent is working.
Edward Homm from Rob Yang? Not so much, but not through the actor's fault. Yang plays a high-ranking businessman and the latest victim in John Weir's vigilant effort to uncover the truth. About that... what's really going on here? John wants to clear his name, but what is this? There's something about his mental state that raises other questions, redirecting the whole idea of the series: is something we're looking at really real?
That turn seems to start with fervor and engagement by the time Charles Dance enters the picture, and the banter Sutherland and Dance establish is believable. There's a lot of talk about a mysterious character the audience doesn't see - someone who apparently played an important role in controlling the goings-on - and it's hoped the creative team delivers a nice payoff on that front by the season finale. That works.
Another bright spot: the series doesn't take itself too seriously. You can feel it winking at the audience every now and then. That's most apparent by the time the third episode and beyond rolls around, when more explosions and action sequences hit the screen. The show knows what viewers want to see (namely Kiefer Sutherland on the run). It functions. Forward…
The Rabbit Hole bottom line
Themes such as data, privacy, reality and non-reality are circulating everywhere rabbit hole, which, while intriguing at first, tend to slow down the show. Yes, we're going down the "rabbit hole" with Sutherland's character, but give us some breathing space every now and then to let things settle.
John's paranoia also increases as the show plays on, and as audiences learn more about his past, it's a hit and miss whether most people will find it believable. The show isn't quite as compelling as John's past traumas continually filter into the present. It seemed more like a necessary plot device than it was probably intended for - to authentically elevate his character's level of intrigue and complexity.
After all, that's already built in with the show's inventive premise. We're here for Sutherland, and probably as the show goes into season two, where you hope, after dusting off some creative waste, Rabbit hole could very well take an even more fascinating direction. There's so much to play with here: corporate espionage, data drama, and Sutherland's remarkable ability to hold a scene and captivate audiences. Do Rabbit hole always hit the right points? No. Will it surprise us with added twists that take the show in a wildly new direction? Here's hope. In the meantime, we always have Kiefer Sutherland to fall back on.
Rabbit hole streams Sunday on Paramount+.
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