Tinker Tailor Older Spy

I never thought much about Ted Danson after Cheers... at least until my son told me about The Good Place. It was surprising to see a laid back and confident actor in the role when I was expecting someone a bit less competent.

I learned about A Man on the Inside but the overall plotline kept me from checking it out, until recently. I was glad I did. Danson plays a fantastic mix of guileless and eccentric. The kind of guy who promises to do as he's told and a minute later, doing the exact opposite.

I recognized Sally Stuthers right away... her voice, with the exception of cracks from old age, was totally recognizable. I look forward to seeing more of her character.

This has definitely gotten me ready to watch episode two...

This should have been a 15 minute episode. A lot of wasted time.

The cast is great. Eugene Cordero is always good. He is charming and delivers a grounded and fun performance. Ted Danson is always fun to watch. The dialogue is fine. It does feel dumbed down and childish. Maybe this a family show for the kiddos. That's fine.

However the storyline was so obvious and clear and could have been told in five minutes. I get the premise and that these are the characters in the show. Why drag out all the scenes with no plot movement? It's nuts. I feel like time is being killed and I'm being bored on purpose.

Show gets off to a great start with a couple laugh out loud moment. I've enjoyed Danson going back to the Cheers days. And as I type this you can't help but wonder if this role might've been suited to a more eccentric actor, I don't know maybe say a Kelsey Grammer?? Joking aside, this show combines mystery with funny after the first episode. It's done by Mose from The Office; Michael Shur. I like the pace and don't have anything to critique here after one episode. Will be a good show to watch at night as Cheers, Frasier and the reboot of Frasier have also been good to me before sleepy time tv in bed.

The episode begins with a deaged Ted Danson as he is about to get married.

It then flits to the present day. Charles (Ted Danson) is a retired college professor and a widower. He is bored and his daughter wants him to do something interesting.

So Charles answers a strange ad from private investigator Julie. She is looking for an older man to infiltrate a care home to find a thief.

Charles gets the job as he can email a picture. The others could not deal with mobile phones.

Although Charles is not so good with the on the job training such as surveillance and detailed observation and taking covert pictures.

Still he will be spending the next few weeks in the care home.

The first episode was rather like Charles. Easy going but a bit aimless. It fits well with Ted Danson's approach as you suspect Charles will find a new zeal for life at the care home.

Michael Schur's new series, "A Man on the Inside," takes a compelling cue from Maite Alberdi's documentary "The Mole Agent." Alberdi's film, which tells the story of an elderly man infiltrating a Chilean nursing home to investigate mistreatment, transcends its investigative premise to become a moving meditation on loneliness and the human desire for connection. It's no surprise that this deeply resonant narrative served as a blueprint for "A Man on the Inside," which uses a similar setup but imbues it with Schur's characteristic blend of humor and heart, which makes it nice and accessible to a hungry television audience who wants some good TV.

In the premiere episode, "Tinker Tailor Older Spy," we meet Charles Nieuwendyk, portrayed with subtlety and warmth by Ted Danson. Charles, a widowed and retired engineering professor, finds himself adrift in the wake of his wife's passing. He is hired by a private investigator to investigate a theft at a retirement community by posing as a resident. The premise sets the stage for what could be an intriguing mix of mystery and personal rediscovery. However, while the main mission holds promise, it feels somewhat lightweight in the broader context. One wonders if the show can sustain this relatively simple premise across eight episodes without losing momentum. Despite some pacing issues - particularly the rushed depiction of Charles' transition from a grieving widower to an undercover operative - the episode does a commendable job of establishing his character. The few humorous training scenes, while enjoyable, skim over what could have been deeper moments of reflection on Charles' emotional journey. Nevertheless, the heart of the story shines through: a man seeking meaning and connection in his later years. Danson excels as Charles, delivering a performance that captures the nuanced shift from melancholy to cautious hope. He embodies the quiet desperation of a man who has lost joy, making his tentative steps towards reinvigoration deeply affecting. The supporting cast also rises to the occasion, complementing Danson with engaging performances that add depth to the narrative. Lilah Richcreek plays Julie, the private investigator, with charm and determination, while Stephanie Beatriz gives managing director Didi, a sharp professionalism that hints at layers yet to be explored.

"Tinker Tailor Older Spy" starts the show off on a solid note, blending humor, mystery, and heartfelt exploration of aging and renewal. While the pacing could benefit from slowing down to savor the emotional beats, the episode sets up an intriguing world with potential for meaningful character development and if the series can build on its promising foundation, it could become a poignant and entertaining exploration of finding new purpose later in life.