This is part 2 of a 6-part series. Reviews reflect the pilot episode of each series.
As the title suggests, “Bloodline” is all about family; the Rayburn family, specifically. And the Rayburn family is all about Danny, the square peg born into a world of round holes. Danny is played by Ben Mendelsohn, who is, in my opinion, in the shortlist of the most underappreciated actors working today.
That’s what’s so great about television: great actors who aren’t given the time of day in major motion pictures can come onto these juicy, character-driven TV dramas and nail it. The Rayburn family is composed of such talent as Kyle Chandler, long-time cinematic pinch-hitter (“Wolf of Wall Street,” “Zero Dark Thirty”), Linda Cardellini (“Freaks and Geeks,” “Mad Men”), Norbert Leo Butz (a primarily Broadway actor, whom I don’t know so well), and they’re all sandwiched together by veterans Sam Shepard and Sissy Spacek.
The pilot finds an estranged Danny at a crossroads, trying to figure out whether he wants to go back to his family. However, his family’s opinions of him range from “he’s a self-destructive loser; keep him away,” to “I don’t care.” John, Danny’s brother, is the exception, as he obviously loves his brother but is unsure why. This gives way to a really great scene involving Danny petitioning his sister to get a woman he just met to sit at the family table during a ceremony; and, of course, like flies, the other siblings flock toward the argument from far away. This scene alone tells the audience everything they need to know about the characters.
Furthermore, Danny and John have a clear-cut Fredo/Michael relationship. And, not to spoil anything, but Danny, like Fredo, really should stay away from boats. As an afterthought, Danny and John’s relationship also reminds me of “Highway Patrolman,” the Springsteen song.
Verdict: Excellent TV drama. Abandon your family during the holidays for this one.
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRnS8FkcXNk
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