The Curse of Cleopatra -- Parts 1 & 2

The show has a touch of sexual tension between the main characters; somewhat similar to shows like the new Magnum P.I., the Zorro movies (with Antonio Banderas and Catherine Zeta-Jones,) Whiskey Cavalier, Elementary, and on. Beautiful images from historical places. Some of the Indiana Jones, and the National Treasure (with Nicolas Cage) movies' feel of action, adventure, and the mystical. Sad to have to compare it to so many, mostly better works, but it is just about what it feels like watching this - rather as if the writers took a bit from each of the aforementioned and called it Blood & Treasure. Truly, what entertained me most was the Wilhelm Scream shortly into Part 2. I played that several times, just to get a good laugh. As it is season-end for most of the main shows until next fall, I'll likely watch Blood & Treasure, unless something else new comes along that captures my interest more keenly.

Matt Barr is a very fine looking man and a quite reasonable actor. I have watched at least 1/2 of his work. This series looks good, but the dialogue and plotting is SOO SOO leaden and stupid and predictable, that even watching Matt Barr is not enough to ease the pain. EVERY LINE, like really, EVERY SINGLE LINE, is painful and dumb. I assume things are written this simply to translate easily to an international audience, but does it have to be this dumb and obvious. If you want to watch episode 1 as a drinking game, "Anthony and Cleopatra" is your phrase. But, since it is repeated at least 20 times in the first 20 minutes, you'll be loaded quickly.

I saw this episode when it first aired on regular broadcast tv. Now I tried it again on streaming and I'm even wondering if I even watched the same thing (I'm pretty sure it is). My impression the first time around was that it was so comically bad I couldn't believe it ever even got made. Second impression - I really enjoyed it! Maybe it just doesn't work with constant commercial breaks and all the little ads they flash at the bottom of the screen these days along with other distractions. It's definitely not anything original. I'd describe it so far as a Raiders of the Lost Ark ripoff with a touch of Da Vinci Code. I'll definitely watch more and see where it goes. (I couldn't get past episode one the first time around) Another benefit of streaming is not having to wait a week between episodes. The cast is likable and the scenery is gorgeous. Will it get crazy towards the end? I'll find out.

Former FBI agent turn art expert Danny McNamara (Matt Barr) has to reunite with con woman and srt thief Lexi Vaziri (Sofia Pernas.) She blames Danny for the death of her father several years earlier.

The reason they have banded together. Jay Reece (John Larroquette) a billionaire funded an expedition to discover the tombs of Antony and Cleopatra by Professor Anna. She was Danny's mentor.

She was abducted by goons sent by Karim Farouk (Oded Fehr) who then blew up the pyramid.

Farouk is the man that killed Lexi's father, a reason why she wants to go after him with Danny.

The who series seems to be inspired by movies such as Indiana Jones and National Treasure. There is a globe trotting element and filming in international locations.

The let down is the listless script, this characterisation and no chemistry between the leads in the opener.