Friends, Nieghbours, Husbands
Recently I have been watching Homeland on Channel 4 and it had reminded me of an excellent show called Sleeper Cell. The show features an ensemble cast but the focus is on but the main stars are Michael Ealy playing Darwyn Al-Sayeed, an undercover African American Muslim FBI agent, and Oded Fehr playing Faris al-Fark, the leader of a terrorist cell.
Why is this show better than most spy dramas? It’s not just strong performances by all of the cast but excellent writing that produces interesting and complex characters as well as raising difficult issues such as the ethics of torture, the source of finance of for terrorism, how difficult it is to be a an undercover agent, and many more besides.
The strong writing some how manages to make terrorists likeable. Especially Fehr, who is in fine form displaying the leader of the cell as not just ruthless and cunning, but incredibly likeable and charming. Alex Nesic, Blake Shields, Jake Soldera, Henri Lubatti produce impressive performances that make you care for their characters. You don’t want these guys to execute their plans, you just wish they weren’t baddies. Nesic gives his character a certain coolness, Blake makes his character vulnerable and naive, whilst Lubatti’s character is funny and likes old school hip hop.
Each member of the cell has different reasons for becoming a terrorist, Aumont (Nesic) sees it as romantic cause, Emerson (Shields) it gives him a sense of belonging, and Korjenić (Lubatti) is a Bosnian who wants revenge after his family have been kill.
For Darwyn (Ealy) faces a number of difficult issues. He finds it difficult to keep his personal and professional life separate, he questions his faith, and he wonders how American society views Muslims. Darwyn is extremely likeable. He is smart, thinks on his feet quickly, but struggles over the difficult ethical questions that someone in his position would.
I also enjoyed the realism of the show. All the members of the cell have been selected not only because they have military experience but they also have clear roles to play. The cell is difficult to investigate is because they are compartmentalised, and given no information about the parts of the operation that do not concern them.
The highlight of the show is the contrast and similarities between Farik and Darwyn and their relationship. Both men have different causes but believe they are doing the right thing and use this to justify their behaviour. Farik is ruthless and violent but scheming and calculating. He regularly tests Darwyn, and Darwyn has to think quickly in order to react properly.
Overall a great show with lots of strong performances, not just from the main cast, but the supporting cast, interesting characters, and sense of realism. The second season doesn’t quite meet the high standards of the first but is very enjoyable.
Overall I would give it 8/10.
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