There are plenty of movies and TV shows which is trying to relive some of the actions performed by U.S. Special Operations Forces, but one of the most sincere in the last few years is CBS’s SEAL Team.
The TV shows work mostly because it’s not reaching beyond its comfort zone. Following a team of heavily armed U.S. Navy SEALs carrying out covert operations with the aid of the Agency (CIA – Central Intelligence Agency), it’s an uncomplicated action series without twists or unnecessary spectacle, at least so far.
TV veteran David Boreanaz (Bones) plays Jason Hayes, the leader of the Tier One Navy SEALs group, and he’s an intense and focused guy not unlike the FBI agent he played for so many years on Fox’s series. Jason’s home life has crumbled due to his dedication to his work, and he’s haunted by the death of a teammate on a recent mission. The cast is rounded out by Jessica Paré (Mad Men) as a CIA analyst and Max Thieriot as a young and ambitious soldier trying to make it into the Tier One unit.
The TV drama plays to the strengths of its network, and its star. The missions are simple and paint the soldiers as patriotic and unimpeachably good. In last week’s second episode, Navy SEAL flirted with bigger questions about war and the state of the world, but all in the service of its core characters. The action is first-class, clean and often close up, prioritizing the operators’ points of view.
The lack of sensationalism is what makes SEAL Team a stronger entry into the military genre this fall than NBC’s The Brave and CW’s Valor. While the Brave is flashy, Valor is twisty and ill-conceived, and neither has a cast as engaging.
U.S. Navy SEAL Team is straightforward, but also enjoyable. Sometimes simple works. The show is rated with 7.3 on IMDB.
