When Religions Create Monsters
I estimate I've binged this Dworkin-Beattie series about a dozen times. As an adaptation, it's well executed. I keep returning to it not just for Brown's presentation of interesting bits of knowledge of the humanities and physical sciences, but also for the acting and directing of a skilled cast.
Ashley Zukerman (as a young Robert Langdon) is undeniably a proxy for Dan Brown. His knowledge is impressive. As opposed to the Tom Hanks version of Langdon, I feel Zukerman's depiction of a less socially adept Langdon hits the right notes.
For me, the engine that drives the story is the character of Kate/Kat/Katherine, played by Valorie Curry. A tremendous portrayal of a smart, difficult, troubled, contradictory & inscrutable woman who seems to run hot and cold, as if a little bipolar. I think Langdon has a thing for her 'cause she's like one of his puzzles. Except she's like 10 Rubik's Cubes in one. Or maybe he's committed to rediscovering & re-experiencing her fleeting moments of vulnerability. Which she reveals only once or twice in the entire series.
Rick Gonzalez, as Nuñez, is the most likable actor in the show. Amid the swirling chaos, betrayal and evil, he's my go-to guy for stability & goodness. I hope Rick gets many more opportunities. He deserves it.
The role of Zach is played by three actors, but Beau Knapp as the Mal'akh incarnation is the creme de la creme. Knapp inhabits this character with incredible power & focus. His performance is so overwhelming that I hope it doesn't result in him being typecast as a bad guy only. I've seen him only a couple times after this, once in FBI Int'l, in which he played a similar type of bad guy. But this performance proves he possesses a high level of skill that should be considered beyond the confines of bad-guy character actor-only.
Eddie Izzard as the Solomon patriarch is rock solid, mostly playing off Langdon. And Sumalee Montano as CIA agent Sato capably imparts the horrors of recompense warranted by her actions that essentially destroyed a family.
Not to be forgotten is Mark Gibbon as Benjamin York/Samyaza, who delivers a powerful presence as well in a key role.
Ashley Zukerman (as a young Robert Langdon) is undeniably a proxy for Dan Brown. His knowledge is impressive. As opposed to the Tom Hanks version of Langdon, I feel Zukerman's depiction of a less socially adept Langdon hits the right notes.
For me, the engine that drives the story is the character of Kate/Kat/Katherine, played by Valorie Curry. A tremendous portrayal of a smart, difficult, troubled, contradictory & inscrutable woman who seems to run hot and cold, as if a little bipolar. I think Langdon has a thing for her 'cause she's like one of his puzzles. Except she's like 10 Rubik's Cubes in one. Or maybe he's committed to rediscovering & re-experiencing her fleeting moments of vulnerability. Which she reveals only once or twice in the entire series.
Rick Gonzalez, as Nuñez, is the most likable actor in the show. Amid the swirling chaos, betrayal and evil, he's my go-to guy for stability & goodness. I hope Rick gets many more opportunities. He deserves it.
The role of Zach is played by three actors, but Beau Knapp as the Mal'akh incarnation is the creme de la creme. Knapp inhabits this character with incredible power & focus. His performance is so overwhelming that I hope it doesn't result in him being typecast as a bad guy only. I've seen him only a couple times after this, once in FBI Int'l, in which he played a similar type of bad guy. But this performance proves he possesses a high level of skill that should be considered beyond the confines of bad-guy character actor-only.
Eddie Izzard as the Solomon patriarch is rock solid, mostly playing off Langdon. And Sumalee Montano as CIA agent Sato capably imparts the horrors of recompense warranted by her actions that essentially destroyed a family.
Not to be forgotten is Mark Gibbon as Benjamin York/Samyaza, who delivers a powerful presence as well in a key role.
- accidentsandcoincidences-20489
- 14 ago 2025