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Graceland – “Baggage” Advance Review. Homecoming.

Season 2, Episode 1

Air Date: Wednesday, June 11, 2014, 10/9c on USA

Rating: ★★★★★

 

Warning this review contains some minor spoilers.

“Things are different.” – Mike

Mike Warren (Aaron Tveit)

Graceland returns for season two on Wednesday, June 11, and quickly hits the ground running. When we last saw FBI agent Mike Warren (Aaron Tveit), he was in Washington D.C. working as the special assistant to the deputy director. Taking down Bellow (Gbenga Akinnagbe) last season made Mike a rock star within the FBI but Mike quickly realizes he can only ride the Bellow wave for so long.

We knew Mike would be returning to the Graceland house because Briggs (Daniel Sunjuta) called Mike to invite him back to the house for a “vacation” in a brief scene that closed out season one. One of the challenges the writers faced between the seasons was finding a way to bring Mike back to Graceland in a way that seems plausible. In “Baggage,” we learn the reasoning behind Briggs’ call and I admit, the way the writers lay things out for Mike works.

The boys are together again

One of the story lines during season one was Mike learning the rules of the house, which seemed to be written in stone. Every time Mike bent or broke one of the rules, like taking Abby (Jenn Proske) upstairs, there were serious repercussions. After all the lies, betrayals, and events of season one, the rules appear to have gone out the door. The safe refuge Graceland once provided the agents is gone. The house is now a beach party house with the residents adopting a ‘why bother’ attitude. This creates several interesting dynamics among the various agents who initially seem happy to see Mike again, until they learn they will be working for him, not with him.

To me, the comradery between Briggs and Mike is the foundation of Graceland. There were glimpses of the bond between the two early on during the first season but when the storyline shifted to Mike’s investigation of Briggs, those moments disappeared. With the investigation behind them and Briggs cleared, it’s good seeing the two working together and, for now, trusting each other again. While I don’t know how long the pleasantries will last, it’s entertaining to watch.

Charlie (Vanessa Ferlito) and Briggs (Daniel Sunjuta)

Not surprisingly, the relationship between Charlie (Vanessa Ferlito) and Briggs heats up. I wonder how things will play out between the two given that Charlie accused Briggs of being Odin. While it’s fun seeing the two type A personalities together, their relationship has powder keg written all over it.

Much of my previous frustration with Graceland stemmed from the writers’ need for a shocking twist at the end of almost every episode. I think the writing and characters should make you want to tune in week after week instead of having to watch the next episode just to find out what the hell was going on. Thankfully, having screened the first two episodes of the new season, I can say it now appears the writers are more focused on storytelling. There are still a few twists to keep you guessing but so far, not to the same degree as before.

Since first learning about his labeling obsession, I have come to really enjoy Jakes (Brandon Jay McLaren). Unfortunately, with such a large cast, he always seems to be stuck in the shadows of the others. Last season in an episode titled “Goodbye High,” I wrote in my review how the Jakes storyline about his son was too little, too late, and seemed more like filler than anything else. In “Baggage,” the writers take another stab at the Jakes and son story line and my first reaction was to go back and watch the final few episodes of season one because I thought I had missed something. The storyline isn’t bad but it’s never been given a chance to progress. In the first two episodes of Season 2, Jakes seems delusional and I can’t figure out if that’s what the writers are going for or if it’s because of a poorly planned backstory. Either way, McLaren deserves better.

Paige (Serinda Swan)

The same can also be said for Johnny (Manny Montana) and Paige (Serinda Swan); the writers can never seem to find enough for them to do. In order to combat this problem, there now seems to be a different approach to how the agents do their jobs. Last season, everyone had their own cases and only helped one another when needing a favor or extra hand. This season, it looks like the agents will be working more as a cohesive unit under Mike’s leadership. Hopefully, there will be more for the various agents to do together as a group.

Overall, there is a very different feel to Graceland this season with both the house and the series, but it’s too early to tell whether that’s good or bad. For a show known for its intensity, I feel like I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop as it appears something major is on the verge of happening that will bring the house together.

Graceland returns Wednesday, June 11, 2014, 10/9c, only on USA Network.

 

For more information on Graceland, visit the official website.

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Follow the stars of Graceland on Twitter: @DanielGRACELAND, @MannyMontana, @SwanSerinda, and @brandojay.

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All photos © 2014 USA Network, a division of NBC Universal, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

 

Greg Staffa

I provide testosterone to the site. You won’t be reading about how nice a actress looks in a dress or how much of a hunk Matt Bomer is in my reviews. I describe colors using words like brown, not taupe. My twitter name is @staffaroadtrip because I love road trips and have done two different 48-state road trips since 2008. My favorite show is White Collar.

Greg Staffa

I provide testosterone to the site. You won’t be reading about how nice a actress looks in a dress or how much of a hunk Matt Bomer is in my reviews. I describe colors using words like brown, not taupe. My twitter name is @staffaroadtrip because I love road trips and have done two different 48-state road trips since 2008. My favorite show is White Collar.