CHANCE FACTOR: THE RETURN OF "HUMAN TARGET"

It may not have properly built on the success of its highly enjoyable premiere season, and its production team instigated some ultimately unnecessary changes to its format, but the second year of the glossy adventure series HUMAN TARGET, starting a new repeat run on the UK's FIVE USA channel from this evening, is still worth catching for the genuine likability of its core cast, led by Mark Valley as bodyguard hero Christopher Chance, as well as some great action packed episodes. If you've never seen it before, and like eighties inspired US TV, then the show is certainly worth a diverting look in...

Season One Title sequence: Human Target Season 1 Opening Theme Song Video Title Sequence HD TV Series Show - YouTube

Mark Valley interview: Mark Valley - Human Target Interview - YouTube

Check out our LINKS below for more info on the series across its two season run.

THE FALL GUYS! THE UNFORTUNATE DEMISE OF "HUMAN TARGET"

Breaking point for Christopher Chance (Mark Valley) and the cast of HUMAN TARGET? Images: FOX

There's a very old and wise saying out there that says, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." Sadly, no one in film and TV executive land in Hollywood seems to be either aware of this saying or understand what it actually means, especially at FOX and with the producers of the second and now final season of the once popular action/adventure series HUMAN TARGET (which ended its UK run on the SYFY Channel this week), which underwent a major shake-up to its format that was both undeserved and unjustified in my opinions-the changes for the worse and certainly not for the better!


That the series terrific and stylish opening title theme by modern BATTLESTAR GALACTICA's Bear McCreary was gone -replaced by a mis-step wishy washy new re-arrangement by Tim Jones, whose incidental music for the new series as a whole was totally out of step and seemed more like something from an OCEAN'S ELEVEN movie, lacking the required excitement and drama- was the first of the bad omens. But more was to come with the ultimately unnecessary changes brought in by the network/writers (the Executive Producers seemingly taking a step back in the creative process and un-resistant to the changes, presumably going with the flow in the hope that it'll be successful enough to get the show a new season?) made to the actual overall format of the series, now over-tweaked, damaging the already fine cast dynamic to include two new characters (Indira Varma, as their new billionaire boss Ilsa Pucci, and Janet Montgomery as streetwise criminal, Ames) that the series, now TEAM TARGET rather the singular, seemed strained and over burdened, and resulting in our original cast of lead Mark Valley, Chi McBride and Jackie Earle Haley's screen time and plot-lines being diluted ever further. I'm assuming the introduction of the two female leads (presumably instigated by FOX and their dreaded "audience research" information) was designed to bring in the interests of hormone charged younger male teens and to open up the action showcased series to a larger female audience. In the end, the way the duo were written and developed as the series went on remained appeal-less and failed to win over or impress either sections of the audience the series producers hoped to gain.

Chance (Mark Valley) protects his new boss, Ilsa Pucci (Indira Varma) in one of the later episodes.

A shame, as Indira Varma is a good actress (you only have to see her work in ROME and early TORCHWOOD to see examples of that), but here she was wasted in a role that, despite a strong start, soon became cliched for the majority of the series, as Ilsa became the obligatory long-term love interest for Chance, resulting in it all becoming a tad too will they or won't they: of course they will! MOONLIGHTING'ish for my personal tastes. I would have preferred it better if Pucci had been an occasional contributor to the series rather than be in every episode and steal valuable story time from our original trio of stars, what with her hackneyed plotline over the run where we find out what happened to her murdered billionaire husband. Some of the writing/comedy shoe-horning in of Ilsa into the plots seemed forced and over the top, resulting in her character acting like a silly little girl out of her comfort zone, also seemed a little too much at times. Sorry to say, but fellow Brit Lucy Montgomery's addition as bolshy Hustler, tech-savvy Ames also proved pointless for the most part, despite the occasional fun apprentice learning from the master moments with Guerrero (Jackie Earle Haley, who managed to remain consistently excellent throughout the series and its script problems).

Jackie Earle Haley remained consistently good throughout the series changes as Guerrero.

Despite an enjoyable season opener (which saw a retired Christopher Chance brought back into the fold to help Ilsa Pucci), the early episodes that followed seemed strangely out of sync, formulaic and predictable, often thinly plotted and with a lack of edginess and identity for the most part, with fewer strong guest stars this time around to supplement them, and the return of popular characters from the previous season whose appearances this time out (like Lennie James) didn't have the same allure they once had. Later episodes improved, and there were some brave attempts here and there to incorporate more invention and humour into the series, alongside the occasional spark/chemistry moments reminding us as to why we all enjoyed that original first season of the series so much, like the episode with the hit woman out to kill her husband so as to get his military contract secrets (which included a superbly staged house/kitchen fight between her and Chance). The siege episode at the opera, with a guest appearance from 24’s Carlo Rota as a baddie, and including a fun scene with a terrorist captured Guerrero restrained and sporting a Hannibal Lecter mask, was also noteworthy. The series overall action (hand to hand fighting, gunplay and explosive stunt work) also remained as well directed and exciting to watch as ever, with good money pumped into ambitious adrenaline charged moments, but if you haven’t got great stories built around them, it all becomes a tad irrelevant and this soon became apparent with the decreasing audiences, especially worsening when FOX changed the series viewing time slot at the mid-point.

Chance races to protect Ilsa in the season finale.

In the end, not even the intelligence, charm and action agility of the always likable lead star, Mark Valley, as bodyguard supreme Christopher Chance, could save this show from entering the TV autopsy room. At times watching this season, it looked as if the humorous twinkle of making the show seen in Valley's eyes had diminished greatly-perhaps he knew that, with all the shows new format changes, Lady Luck's gift of renewal wasn't to be on his side this year.

So, with cast and crew now embarked on new assignments, it's goodbye to HUMAN TARGET. Your second season may have been tarnished by some ultimately unwise behind the scenes creative decisions, but your premiere year will be fondly remembered by fans for its welcome blending of action, danger, excitement and comedy for a long time to come...


KOOL TV OVERALL SERIES RATING: 2.5 out of 5

CLASSIC IMAGE OF THE WEEK: "ROME"

The blood and glory that was ROME. All images: HBO.

Long before STARZ re-imagining of the Spartacus legend would cause a huge stir with audiences and critics for its 300-esque graphic violence, scantily clad women and almost graphic sex scenes, there was HBO's ROME. Arriving on TV screens in a blaze of publicity not long after the huge worldwide success of Ridley Scott's epic GLADIATOR, which, as well as finally making Russell Crowe a star, would re-launch and re-vitalise this particular area of period drama- the sword and sandals epic- this lavish, highly popular two season running series, created by John Milius (whose fascination with soldiers and warfare of all kinds within all eras of history has long been documented), Bruno Heller and William J. MacDonald, filmed entirely in Italy and one of the most expensive productions ever realised by HBO (in partnership with the UK's BBC and Italy's RAI television), primarily revolved around two loyal Roman soldiers, Lucius Vorenus and Titus Pullo (Kevin McKidd as the former (a slightly rigid, battle hardened and square jaw warrior loyal to Rome and family) and Ray Stevenson (as the latter: a likeable (if a little thick) but loyal friend used to violence and hard living), in career making performances which I don't think they've yet topped), and their partaking, whether deliberately or not, in some of the greatest moments in living history linked to the then seemingly invincible, world dominating Roman Empire. Events affecting not only their friendship but everyone else around them like outward expanding ripples in the water, from lovers and families to acquaintances and rivals/enemies, during a memorable period of time when political alliances, theft, greed, betrayal, lust and battlefield honour ruled, amidst a sea of power and opportunity during which its leaders (including Julius Ceasar (a more sympathetic and intriguing portrayal of the character by Ciaran Hinds) and Mark Anthony (a fine performance of bullying thuggishness from THE SAINT to be's James Purefoy), its senate government, the mob of the people and the huge armies of Roman Centurions were a fixture and way of life which one both admired and feared in equal measure, spanning a time of bloodshed and battlefield warfare the likes of which had hitherto never been experienced before, and certainly never forgotten since...

The series central stars: Ray Stevenson as Titus Pullo and Kevin McKidd as Lucius Vorenus.

Through the first few opening episodes courted controversy from the press and behind the camera (allegedly the BBC, much to the chagrin of series director/consulting producer Michael Apted, edited down the first three episodes as they thought British viewers, unlike their US counterparts, were more familiar with Roman history and wanted to get to the chase with regards to the sex and violence), whilst the likes of sensationalist UK newspapers like THE DAILY MAIL would get on their high horse and quickly rode the crest of the publicity wave by debating whether the BBC should be involved with what they deemed such a disgusting series showing such graphic bloodshed and nudity. Dedicated audiences overall reacted differently to the series, though, as they soon became immersed in its epic, multi-layered story-telling (if sometimes soap-like) drama of the two men and their worldwide adventures and the bickering and betrayals of the numerous powerful Roman houses linked to Caeser, the lavish production values, mostly historical accuracy, and its epic cast (with further great acting from the likes of Kenneth Cranham, Lindsay  (as a very randy and power ambitious Cleopatra characterisation far removed from Elizabeth Taylor's version of the role), Polly Walker (as Caeser's ambitious cousin Atia), Lindsay Duncan (as Caeser's revenge fuelled mistress Servilia), Ian McNeice and Indira Varma (as Lucius' wife Niobe, who bears a tragic secret from her husband). The only true reason the show would eventually stop- its memorable second year including a plot line linked to to the legendary power and passion relationship between Mark Antony and Cleopatra- would be due to its prohibitively very high production costs.

On the battlefront, Vorenus amidst her fellow centurions.

Memorable and stylish series opening titles: YouTube - Rome Opening Credits Intro

Regardless of its eventual cancellation (and a planned sequel movie release that sadly never happened), ROME remains one of the most memorable series to have come from American television in a long time, and well worth watching for first time newbies, or in a second time for fans wanting to re-live a rollicking good drama, when it starts tonight for a new UK re-run of the TMC movie channel...

A NEW DIRECTION TOWARDS THE "HUMAN TARGET"

He won't let you go! Christopher Chance, as played by the dependable Mark Valley, in the always enjoyable HUMAN TARGET. All images: fox.

Change is in the air for the selflessly heroic bodyguard Christopher Chance and his reliable team of Winston (Chi McBride) and Guerrero (Jackie Earle Haley) in the new action packed thirteen episode second series of HUMAN TARGET, finally coming next month (Thursday 26th May) to the UK SYFY Channel (with a much welcome series one repeat lead-in prior to that, too!). This year, not only does the trio have a new boss, the lovely British actress Indira Varma (currently making a big impression in the US TV industry) as billionaire philanthropist Ilsa Pucci, now in charge of their money kitty and worldwide assignments, but theres also another new girl on the block: Ames, played by another great looking Brit, Janet Montgomery, a master thief often joining shady Guerrero in his anti-hero ways, whom actor Haley behind the scenes has described as being like a "Mini Guerrero"!

TEAM TARGET: The new line-up for Season Two. L-R: Ames (Janet Montgomery), Guerrero (Jackie Earle Haley), Chance (Mark Valley), Ilsa Pucci (Indira Varma) and Winston (Chi McBride).

Great preview trailer from the original series: YouTube - HUMAN TARGET "CHANCE MOMENT" PROMO

Season Two trailer: YouTube - Human Target - Official Season 2 Trailer

Stories this year are mainly linked around new character Pucci and the mysterious situation regarding the death of her husband, but theres also the return of Chance's ex-partner and renegade hit man, Baptiste (Lennie James), and protection plot lines involving such baddies as a South American dictator, Russian Spies, and even a hostage takeover at an opera! On the behind the scenes side there's also been a bit of a shake-up on the writing and production front which has caused some mild controversy from fans and critics state-side, and, most notably with the slight format change, the series has sadly lost its great season one theme tune, with a new replacement score YouTube - Human Target New Season 2 Open (much to the immense chagrin of many loyal die-hard viewers (lets hope that, when series three does eventually come, it reverts back to the excellent original version from composer Bear McReary! YouTube - HUMAN TARGET - Intro Credits 2010)).

Ready to make a difference: Mark Valley as Christopher Chance.

Seeking the truth, Indira Varma as Ilsa Pucci

Guerrero (Haley) gets in on some action in the sixth episode of Season Two.

Sadness and consequence in the Season Two finale.

Whatever the future for Chance and his partners in TV adventure, one thing's for sure, the often high octane action, great stunts set pieces, and actor and character camaraderie, especially from audience friendly lead Mark Valley, will surely capture audiences imaginations. This is one HUMAN TARGET that often hits the spot!

Look for more on HUMAN TARGET on KOOL TV in the not too distant future...