LIKE '24,' BUT MORE '7 1/2' -- AND MORE BRITISH.Byline: David Kronke Television Critic Given what we've learned about White House operations in the run-up to the war in Iraq during the Scooter Libby trial and the Pentagon's inspector general's recent report on Douglas Feith's cooking the intelligence to justify the invasion, BBC BBC in full British Broadcasting Corp. Publicly financed broadcasting system in Britain. A private company at its founding in 1922, it was replaced by a public corporation under royal charter in 1927. America's urgent, exciting miniseries "The State Within" can almost be seen as the political conspiracy theorist's feverish version of O.J. Simpson's pseudo mea culpa me·a cul·pa n. An acknowledgment of a personal error or fault. [Latin me  culp , "If I Did
It."
The three-part, 7 1/2-hour miniseries, a densely plotted thriller about a British ambassador in Washington unraveling the efforts of forces inside the American government to exploit the battle against terrorism to begin an unnecessary war against the fictitious Central Asian country Noun 1. Asian country - any one of the nations occupying the Asian continent Asian nation country, land, state - the territory occupied by a nation; "he returned to the land of his birth"; "he visited several European countries" of Tyrgyztan, deftly demonstrates how fear and patriotism can be manipulated into disastrous decisions. And it has sex scenes, to boot. Jason Isaacs Jason Isaacs (born 6 June 1963) is a British actor. Raised in Liverpool and later in London, he fell accidentally into acting during his first year at university, and went on to study at the Central School of Speech and Drama in London. (Showtime's "Brotherhood") stars as Sir Mark Brydon Mark Errington Brydon is a bassist, composer, arranger, recording engineer, remix artist and producer best known as a member of the group Moloko. He comes from Sunderland, England, but established himself in the Sheffield music scene, where he helped to build Fon Studios. , a British ambassador in Washington, D.C. While he and colleagues head into Washington from Dulles Airport, a Heathrow-bound jetliner explodes over their heads (an impressive effect by TV standards), killing hundreds and effecting rampant chaos. Essentially, you're hooked eight minutes in. From there, things only get worse. The tragedy, it's believed, was enacted by a British Muslim; Virginia's governor, invoking the Patriot Act, starts rounding up all British Muslims. Firebrand fire·brand n. 1. A person who stirs up trouble or kindles a revolt. 2. A piece of burning wood. firebrand Noun Secretary of Defense Lynne Warner (played with a fearsomely steely intensity by Sharon Gless) wonders if England really is America's ally, and she trumpets expanding the war on terror This article is about U.S. actions, and those of other states, after September 11, 2001. For other conflicts, see Terrorism. The War on Terror (also known as the War on Terrorism to whoever might -- key word: "might" -- have been involved in the terrorist attack. A British Halliburton-style corporation seems to have tenterhooks tenterhooks Noun, pl on tenterhooks in a state of tension or suspense [Latin tentus stretched + hook] tenterhooks npl everywhere. Mark's closest adviser, Nicholas (Ben Daniels), shifts his eyes furtively fur·tive adj. 1. Characterized by stealth; surreptitious. 2. Expressive of hidden motives or purposes; shifty. See Synonyms at secret. at every directive issued -- where do his loyalties lie? Mark's best friend (Alex Jennings) may or may not be a traitor. An FBI agent (a scene-stealing Marnie McPhail) thinks she knows more than everyone else, until she realizes, to her horror, that she doesn't. A British Florida death-row inmate ("Jericho's" Lennie James) possibly possesses information that might prevent the end of Western Civilization, if he's not wrongly executed, and if his flighty flight·y adj. flight·i·er, flight·i·est 1. a. Given to capricious or unstable behavior. b. Characterized by irresponsible or silly behavior. 2. Easily excited; skittish. consulate champion (Eva Birthistle) can figure out how to disseminate the information without blithely wandering into harm's way. And this is just a rough overview of the brilliantly complex story line, meticulously scripted by Lizzie Mickery and Daniel Percival (who, with Michael Offer, directed the series). It spirals in plenty of other directions, as well, without ever seeming to collapse upon itself. Put it this way: It has enough dynamic plot acrobatics acrobatics Art of jumping, tumbling, and balancing. The art is of ancient origin; acrobats performed leaps, somersaults, and vaults at Egyptian and Greek events. Acrobatic feats were featured in the commedia dell'arte theatre in Europe and in jingxi (“Peking to fill an entire season of "24," but in a quarter of the time, and you won't spend nearly as much time wondering, "Wait, but what about --?" (Though, to be fair, that question will pop up from time to time.) In the end, of course, "The State Within" is more concerned with lapel-grabbing drama than with policy wonkishness (hence, the sex scenes); its flashily chaotic editing and camerawork underscore its loyalty to genre histrionics. Still, there is a fierce intelligence and passion operating here. Near the conclusion, one character states that were the conspiracy to be revealed, "The moral authority of both our governments would be obliterated o·blit·er·ate tr.v. o·blit·er·at·ed, o·blit·er·at·ing, o·blit·er·ates 1. To do away with completely so as to leave no trace. See Synonyms at abolish. 2. ." High stakes indeed, and "The State Within" honors such portentousness while telling a blisteringly good yarn at the same time. David Kronke, (818) 713-3638 david.kronke@dailynews.com THE STATE WITHIN - Four stars What: Thriller about a British ambassador in Washington who uncovers a conspiracy to broaden the war on terror. Where: BBC America. When: Part 1: 9 and midnight tonight, 5 p.m. Sunday, 3 p.m. Feb. 24. Part 2: 9 p.m. and midnight Sunday; 5:30 p.m. Feb 24. Part 3: 9 p.m. and midnight Feb. 24. (Times may be different for satellite subscribers.) In a nutshell: Bristles with urgency, excitement and intelligence. CAPTION(S): photo Photo: Eva Birthistle and Jason Isaacs are out to -- you guessed it -- save the world from terrorism in "The State Within," on BBC America. |
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