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Tyrant – “Sins of the Father” Review. Will History Be Repeated?

  • By

  • July 15, 2014

  • 9 mins to read

Season 1, Episode 4

Airdate: Tuesday, July 15, 2014, 10:00 pm ET/PT on FX

Rating: ★★★★★

 

“I don’t think you can subjugate a people for 20 years and expect Nelson Mandela to walk out of prison every time.” – Molly

With the 20-year anniversary of the atrocities committed by Bassam (Adam Rayner) and Jamal’s (Ashraf Barhom) father, Khaled Al-Fayeed (Nasser Faris), “the so-called butcher of Abbudin,” on the horizon, there is a great deal of unrest in the city of Ma’an. In a flashback during his morning jog, Bassam remembers his days at Ridgefield Academy, and how ostracized he was for his father’s actions. He knows he needs to talk to Jamal so another bloody massacre doesn’t take place. In the meantime, Ihab Rashid (Alexander Karim) is in the plaza inciting the people to the point of a riot. Will Bassam be able to keep the worst from happening? Not without butting heads with General Tariq (Raad Rawi) first.

A Meager Existence

The people of Abbudin live under meager circumstances. Food and jobs are scarce, as is electricity and some of life’s most basic necessities. The problem is, under the current regime, it doesn’t appear things will change anytime soon. The stark contrast between a breakfast table for a family in Ma’an and the breakfast table inside the Al-Fayeeds’ royal home is glaring. How disheartening to have to live such a life when things could change on a dime if only the government would alter its ugly and selfish ways. In a chilling scene, and one that will be remembered for a long time to come, a man heads into the center of Ma’an, wraps himself in the country’s flag, lights it on fire, and yells over and over as he sinks to the ground, “Never forget Ma’an. Never forget the Al-Fayeeds’ crimes against humanity…down with the terrorists.” Ihab tells the man’s wife, “Your husband’s courageous act will be remembered as the first great act of defiance in our liberation.” But will Ihab’s money and promises of food and clothing for her sons make it worthwhile? It certainly wouldn’t for me but then again, I’m an American who doesn’t have to live under a dictatorship.

The Square

Fauzi tries to talk Samira into leaving the square

The people of Ma’an gather in the square for a peaceful protest, including Fauzi (Fares Fares) and his daughter Samira (Mor Polanuer). She hands out posters that say “Like father, like son,” referring, of course, to Khaled and Jamal. It’s nice that Fauzi is there, supporting Samira, but he knows full well what can happen to someone who opposes the government. While watching “Sins of the Father,” you get the feeling this protest isn’t going to end peacefully. One can only hope Fauzi and Samira will stay safe but that remains to be seen.

Ihab the Militant

Ihab does a good job of riling up the people.

It is easy to see why the people of Abbudin listen to Ihab when he recounts what he lost in the massacre 20 years ago. Karim does an excellent job portraying Ihab as genuine, charismatic, and sympathetic to the people gathered in the town square. Karim really gets into the role, even literally spitting when spouting his angry rhetoric. Ihab succeeds in riling up the people just as Jamal’s motorcade enters the square; however, the people are already burning a cardboard cutout of Jamal in effigy, and don’t allow the car to pass. As much as Jamal wants to follow Bassam’s previous words of advice and rule in a peaceful manner, Ihab inciting the crowd doesn’t allow Jamal to follow through on his plans. Things aren’t looking too good for anyone at this point.

The Relationship Between the U.S. and Abbudin

Following their unsuccessful trip to the plaza, Jamal’s wife Leila (Moran Atias) invites U.S. Ambassador John Tucker (Justin Kirk) to the house, which results in a very enlightening conversation with Jamal.

Leila: “Tomorrow, after you clear the square, you will need the Americans … For political cover from the UN, and the EU—all the absurd political watchdogs who love to bark.”

Jamal: “You really think the Americans will stand with us?”

Leila: “If they want to keep their base on our lands, they better.”

Jamal explains to Tucker what to expect in the morning.

Jamal explains to Tucker it will be necessary to use excess force to clear the square in the morning, but it doesn’t faze Tucker at all. He’s not concerned with the number of people who will be killed; rather, he wants to make sure the wrong people don’t die. “You shoot an attractive co-ed in the head, all bets are off.” Really? I knew there was a reason I didn’t like Tucker. There are so many things wrong with his statement, I don’t know where to begin. Too bad he won’t be in the square; maybe he could be one of those ‘wrong people.’

Ahmed, Nusrat, Sammy, Abdul, and Emma

The other storyline in Tyrant’s “Sins of the Father” deals with Sammy (Noah Silver), Abdul (Mehdi Dehbi), Ahmed (Cameron Gharaee), and Nusrat Al-Fayeed (Sibylla Deen). To be honest, I don’t enjoy this storyline because it detracts from the main focus of Tyrant. I suppose it’s necessary, though, in order to keep the minor characters busy. Mainly, it is a character study of how privileged Ahmed feels, Emma’s (Anne Winters) dislike of her cousin’s ways, Nusrat’s feelings for her husband, and an explanation of Sammy and Abdul’s relationship. The best part is when Emma puts Ahmed, who is acting like the typical, spoiled son of a bureaucrat, in his place. But the person I most feel sorry for is Nusrat. She and Ahmed haven’t consummated their marriage yet because she is still trying to deal with Jamal’s actions on her wedding night. Interestingly, Ahmed is ignorant of what his father did. But Nusrat can’t stand her husband, and I don’t blame her. He’s a drunken, lecherous, and mean-spirited person. I wonder if they will ever have sex at the rate they’re going, and what Ahmed will do when he finds out the truth.

To Kill or Not to Kill

Jamal is uneasy about clearing the square and questions Tariq about how he plans to do it. “The usual—tear gas, rubber bullets, and water cannons,” to be followed by live ammunition, if necessary. I think Tariq enjoys his position a little too much, especially when he says, “It usually doesn’t take that many corpses to discourage idealists.” It’s almost as if he is salivating at the coming bloodbath. Jamal, on the hand, really does want to change, or so it would appear. And that’s what Bassam is there for, right? But with Tariq and Leila wanting to keep the status quo, who knows what will happen? It appears the Ma’an massacre is about to happen all over again, no matter how much Bassam tries to talk Jamal out of it.

At the end of “Sins of the Father,” Bassam and Jamal have a heart-to-heart about what to do next. Bassam does his best to talk Jamal out of slaughtering more people, even going so far as showing him a video of a bloody Muammar Gaddafi when he was killed. Bassam makes a good argument when he asks Jamal what he wants to be remembered for in the history books—“one more brutal dictator or the leader who had the courage to listen to his people,” and then asks Jamal—“Who do you want to be?” We’ll have to wait until next week for the answer.

Overall

“Sins of the Father” is another intense episode of Tyrant providing more insight into each of the characters. It also sheds light on how militants operate, and the manner in which the people of a Middle Eastern country are forced to live. Against all odds, Jamal is trying to change the way his people look at him as a ruler with the help of his brother, Bassam, who, himself, receives comfort and advice from his wife Molly (Jennifer Finnigan). We all need someone, don’t we?

What did you think of “Sins of the Father?” Leave me a comment below or tweet me @SeasideTV. I’d love to hear your thoughts.

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All photos © 2014 FX Networks, Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

 

Linda

Love TV, movies, and books--mostly mysteries, with a good love story thrown in every now and then. I have four adopted dogs who I adore. I love trying new recipes, and enjoy eating what I make. English language perfectionist. Reading in bed, Italian food, warm weather, the beach, all types of games = favs!

Linda

Love TV, movies, and books--mostly mysteries, with a good love story thrown in every now and then. I have four adopted dogs who I adore. I love trying new recipes, and enjoy eating what I make. English language perfectionist. Reading in bed, Italian food, warm weather, the beach, all types of games = favs!