As a long-time aficionado of the world of television, I must say that The Old Man has truly captured my heart and mind with its riveting storytelling and exceptional cast. However, there’s something about Dan (played by Jeff Bridges) that keeps me on edge – it’s not just his quest for inner peace but the weight of his past actions that he carries like a millstone around his neck.
[This story contains major spoilers from the season two finale of The Old Man.]
In the realm of spying, it’s often the case that things aren’t always what they appear. This certainly rang true during the final episode of The Old Man, broadcasted on FX last night.
In episode seven, Emily Chase/Angela Adams’ father, Dan Chase (Jeff Bridges), and her surrogate father, Harold Harper (John Lithgow), were seen traveling worldwide as they sought vengeance for what was then believed to be the death of their daughter at the hands of Russian mercenaries. These mercenaries are part of an international criminal organization aiming to seize control over a lucrative lithium deposit owned by a small Afghan tribal community.
Faraz Hamzad, or as we know him now, Navid Negahban, served as the leader of the community. Unbeknownst to many, he was actually Emily’s biological father. Emily, who has since reclaimed her birth name Parwana Hamzad, was taken away by her mother and brought up in America following a romantic involvement with Chase, a formidable CIA assassin. As she matured, Emily transformed into Angela Adams within the family of Harper, where she honed her skills to become an exceptional FBI field agent.
Emily/Angela often felt (and had whispers of it too) that she didn’t entirely fit in with the American families who adored her deeply. A force or a call seemed to be drawing her towards the Middle East. During season one, she believed this was linked to a mission aimed at eliminating one of the world’s most dangerous terrorists. However, as the series unfolded at the end of that season and through much of season two, viewers discovered that the suspected terrorist, Hamzad, was actually manipulating these events, intending to entice back the daughter he had lost many decades ago.
In season two of The Old Man, it’s revealed that Emily/Angela/Parwana, who appears to be compassionate, caring, and tender-hearted, might actually be a clever predator in disguise. Despite her apparent affection for the people of Afghanistan, Parwana showed no mercy and became as ruthless and vengeful as the old man when anyone threatened those that Chase cherishes.
In an ironic twist, Chase and Harper find themselves in danger as they strive to understand why their daughter apparently met a violent end (little did they know she had somehow survived). Chase becomes gravely ill from an airborne toxin and is forced to seek help from his adversaries, the Russians, who have the antidote. Meanwhile, Harper travels to Hong Kong to visit his ex-wife Marion, a former British agent, played by Janet McTeer. Marion has personal motivations for wanting Parwana to survive a conflict over valuable land between Suleyman Pavlovich, a ruthless Russian cartel leader, and Chinese members. When she learns that Parwana is still alive, Marion captures Harper as a bargaining chip to manipulate the new tribal leader. However, if Parwana is anything like her father, this could be the biggest mistake Marion has ever made.
In the last moments of the finale, Emily confronts Chase, making it clear to him that she’s not the innocent girl he believed; instead, she’s urging him to take drastic measures and seek out Lou Barlow for help in rescuing Harper from Marion’s grip. She shows no concern about the potential violence involved.
In a recent conversation with Jeff Bridges, The Hollywood Reporter discussed the surprising finale, shared insights into the challenges of portraying an elderly spy, delved into the profound bond between father and daughter, and inquired about an enigmatic character named Lou Barlow.
***
Jeff, no one is calling you an old man after watching your performance in these two seasons. How do you prepare mentally and physically for the shoots?
To put it simply, I need to improve my physical fitness by doing exercises and such. I collaborate with Tim Connolly and Tommy DuPont, our show’s stunt performers, on the choreography of the fight scenes. These are quite demanding, but I appreciate the challenge. Particularly, Tim focuses on making the action look as real as possible.
The title of the show is “The Old Man“. In this series, the elderly protagonist displays typical behaviors of an older individual in combat situations. He may possess some fighting skills, but let’s face it, he’s an old fellow. Often, you might notice a few gray hairs here and there, which are telltale signs of his age. At times, just like any senior citizen, he finds himself in situations where he overcommits or makes promises he can’t keep. He may confidently say, “I know that move,” but the truth is, his body might have forgotten how to execute it effectively.
Is it the potential lithium resources in Afghanistan that has world leaders, even those from traditional allies, considering forming a powerful joint venture to establish an independent superpower? This involves unconventional figures from nations like Russia, China, the United Kingdom, and the United States, among others.
Here’s my attempt:
At the gathering in the diner, Dan Chase found it unsurprising that his daughter Emily, whom he believed was deceased, was alive, or that she had taken over as leader of her Afghanistan father’s tribe. To Dan, Emily is strong-willed and determined to achieve her goals at any cost. Could it be that Dan now views Emily as the product of his own actions?
He seems clueless about the situation, but he’s not easily surprised. These spies and CIA agents have a method called OODA, which stands for Observe, Orientate, Decide, and Act. It’s like a game they play with each other, and the faster one can adapt to a new situation and decide on a course of action, the better. In this case, she’s outsmarted him; she’s flipped the script so quickly that he has no choice but to react. And remember, there was an episode where he decided to let himself be captured because the antidote was hidden there – he couldn’t escape.
He’s upset with his daughter over her actions, but he knows from experience as a father of three girls that anger is constant yet love remains. He finds it hard to comprehend, but he’s not one to openly display the shock that others might.
In the finale, did Angela or Emily adopt characteristics from all three of her fictional fathers – Dan Chase, Harold Harper, and Faraz Hamzad – portrayed by Alia Shawkat as the vengeful Parwana Hamzad? (This character is a composite of multiple roles played by Alia Shawkat.)
Absolutely, fascinating thoughts! Personally, I believe that we may think we understand ourselves, but life’s trials often reveal our true nature. This could explain why Chase might not be too taken aback by Emily’s actions and adaptability, as he taught her everything he knows, making it less surprising for him to see her maneuvering things so skillfully, much like a chess game between two expert players where a good move isn’t unexpected.
So, Zoe manages to save Chase’s life and brings him to a location reminiscent of Shangri-La, but there remains an unsettled feeling within him. What could be the reason for this?
It seems to me that he’s hesitant about trusting it, despite his desire for it and her desire for it as well. His craving for it worries him because he fears he might grow complacent with it. He built a career on deceiving others and crafting false images of himself as various personas. I don’t believe he truly understands who he is. What attracts him to Zoe so strongly is her ability to uncover more about him. It’s a blessing when you find someone who knows all the different facets of your personality, both the less appealing and the appealing ones. The latest episode hints that he doesn’t want to reveal Lou Barlow to her, fearing she might not be able to handle such a revelation.
By the way, who do those dogs love more, Chase or Zoe?
(Laughs) That’s quite amusing! It appears they’re taking Zoe’s side, which might cause some sadness for old Dan. Time will tell, I suppose.
We have to talk about this Lou Barlow.
(Laughs harder) I ain’t telling you nothing! I’m glad you’re asking.
Lou Barlow must have made Dan do some terrible things.
It seems like you’re trying to say that Dan is indeed Lou Barlow, as he claims at the end. However, you’re not interested in bringing him back into whatever context you’re discussing, correct?
I take it we are going to see a season three.
I don’t know, the show hasn’t been picked up yet.
Ultimately, was there genuine affection from Morgan Bote (portrayed by Joel Grey, the authentic “elder” who tutored Harper and Chase) towards Dan and Harold? Or, was his relationship with them primarily one of training them as assassins out of devotion to their nation rather than caring for them personally?
Indeed, he’s involved too, I believe he had feelings for Zoe, chuckles ensued! I often playfully provoke Amy. I told her, “I know you two have been intimate.” She replied, “No, no.” I persisted, “Oh come on!” Joel Grey was an absolute delight to collaborate with, and he truly enriches the performance. It’s unfortunate that he’s leaving the show.
Collaboration with different artists is what truly excites me about a project. It’s like a shared art form, where everyone contributes and the final product is a blend of all these individual efforts. The leadership, from FX boss Joe Landgraf, producer Warren Littlefield, and showrunner Jonathan E. Steinberg, sets a positive tone that encourages everyone to work harmoniously, creating an environment where all artists can thrive.
The cinematography has been exceptional, and I initially had reservations about collaborating with multiple directors. However, I found each one to be perfectly suited for their roles. It’s not just about casting actors, but also about assembling a talented team. That’s the essence, in a nutshell. When you have an elite cast given the freedom to perform, that’s where the best results are achieved.
***
The Old Man season two finale aired Thursday on FX and streams the next day on Hulu.
Read More
Sorry. No data so far.
2024-10-25 06:55