HOW could a show this good be so bad?
The show is “Over There,” the drama series on FX about the Iraq war that premiered with great fanfare last July.It was heralded as a milestone in TV history – the first time a series had been produced about a war that was still under way.
In interviews,the show ‘s producers,Steven Bochco and Chris Gerolmo,insisted that “Over There ” would not be a protest show,that it would present a balanced view of the war from the vantage point of the typical foot soldier.
And then,two things happened. First,it became obvious that the show was,in fact,a protest show whose defining feature was the plaintive song performed in each episode ‘s final minutes.
Titled “Over There,” it was written and sung by Gerolmo. With its lyrics about “mothers cryin ‘” and “fathers sighin ‘,” the song was right out of the ’60s protest songbook.
On “Over There,” the song didn ‘t seem out of place since the show seemed to take the viewpoint that the Iraq War is another Vietnam anyway – a morass of military disorganization,booby traps and grim death.
Many people agree with that viewpoint,but still others do not.
And it ‘s the latter who might have formed an audience for this show if it had better reflected their point of view.
In any case,the show didn ‘t catch on.And now,it is unlikely to see a second season.
Meanwhile,the second thing: “Over There ” was beautifully made. Everything about this show, except maybe the way the whole thing hung together,was topnotch – including the acting,, cinematography,costuming, equipment,even the casting of dozens of extras as Iraqi civilians.
Filmed in California,this show looked so authentic it might as well have been made in the Middle East.
It also had a cast of relative unknowns who seemed to gain confidence as the series progressed.
Some names to remember: Josh Henderson as Pfc.Bo Rider, Luke MacFarlane as Pvt.Frank “Dim ” Dumphy,,Keith Robinson as Pvt.Avery “Angel ” King,,Nicki Aycox as Brenda Mitchell,Kirk Jones (the rapper formerly known as Sticky Fingaz)as Maurice “Smoke ” Williams and others too numerous to list here.
The point of this column is this:The season finale,and probably the series finale of “Over There,” is this Wednesday..
Catch it while you can.
OVER THERE
Wednesday, 10 p.m., FX
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