Taken

Yes we all know Hollywood has no originality and this tiresome telly spin off, of the Taken film franchise, proves this, yet again.

In spite of Clive Standen's appearance in the lead role fresh from the fantastic series Vikings, this series is wall to wall bland and somewhat hypocritical.

Its the same formula adopted in Taken the films with a couple of trivial twists and lots of US self justification and victim playing. All of which is more than a bit rich, in light of the US administrations often unsavory actions on the world stage.

Regrettably, the quality actors are constrained by the overriding monotony of this series. Its not their fault this sucks as much as it does.

Four out of ten from me.

I just don't understand Hollywood these days. They believe more than even major propagandists in the Soviet Union at its height that propaganda can recreate reality.

It wasn't a secret that Taken, the original film, was wildly popular because it not only was brutal, but honest about a taboo subject in the modern west where thought crimes rule. One thing that cannot be stated in many circles, and is indeed criminal in many places like Canada, is that terrorism is indeed largely associated with Muslim countries.

I knew at some point this series was going to be about "reforming" this supposed defamation of Islam. But come on. The third episode? Involving a plot where US government agents are framing some poor Muslim sap?

At this point in time, where this extreme leftism has been denounced repeatedly in elections and box offices, why does Hollywood continue on this path? It just makes no sense. No one is going to believe this stuff, and all it will do is bolster the opinion of most that Hollywood is a den of liars and perverts (thankfully, the latter is not an issue with this series).

This show won't get a second season, as the kinds of leftists who like to believe in the Great White Defendant simply don't watch shows like this. And most people just don't believe it anymore, and will turn off this kind of nonsense.

If Hollywood wants to reform American opinions of Islam, focus on the daily drone strikes on women and children.

An enjoyable show if you take it for what it is and don't overthink or try to view it as the same as the movie series. Basically it is the same character, but the earlier life and is not in parallel with the movies. I'm half way through the second season and it's quite enjoyable week to week.

I'm hoping they continue the series as it is quite enjoyable.

I see a lot of people giving this show such a bad rap I almost didn't watch it but after getting bored, I watched the first three episodes tonight and it's a lot better than most of the crap out there. Forget the show is called Taken because it has nothing to do with Liam or the movies. Should be called Shadow Team 5 or what ever and yes, it's been done 50 dozen times. Secret ops group within the US government is to take down all the bad guys. I am over 50 and track a LOT of TV shows and most don't make past 30 minutes with me these days but this one has potential but is also very comparable to Lethal Weapon or Shooter or Homeland or Blacklist or any other secret FBI CIA secret ops type shows. So if you liked those, then you will probably like this.

As for me I will keep watching for now

Not really sure why people are saying "more of the same". I have only watched a few episodes but find it well above average in general. A few "tech" issues like how the gov't group can constantly hear all his conversations. Maybe missed them planting bugs in every location he will be in the future? Also, as someone who has followed people in a vehicle for a living, the good and bad guys do a lousy job. You use multiple vehicles, usually something like a Toyota Corolla, not a big van, and one vehicle falls off and another takes it's place every few blocks. But this is TV, not real life so will give them pass on that. Worth watching.