Patriot

:

Season 2
Season #: 2, 1
User Score
7.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 35 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 35
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 35
  3. Negative: 5 out of 35
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User Reviews

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  1. Turd__Ferguson
    Nov 9, 2018
    10
    Had the day off of work today, so I planned to check out an episode of the new season this morning. 8 episodes later, I can tell you it's top notch. Some of the best writing, directing, and cinematography I've seen in a show. Cohen Brothers + Wes Anderson + special sauce.
  2. anthony_todd
    Nov 15, 2018
    7
    With the deafeningly-quiet release of Season 2 of its original series Patriot, Amazon provides viewers with a completely different experience from its highly-publicized release of Jack Ryan. Both series present clandestine government operatives thrust into situations of dire importance to national security. That, however, is where the similarity ends.

    Jack Ryan is a typical Amazon    With the deafeningly-quiet release of Season 2 of its original series Patriot, Amazon provides viewers with a completely different experience from its highly-publicized release of Jack Ryan. Both series present clandestine government operatives thrust into situations of dire importance to national security. That, however, is where the similarity ends.

    Jack Ryan is a typical Amazon offering, designed for mass appeal. It offers a cookie cutter protagonist in the mold of “24’s” Jack Bauer and largely sets up rooting interests that are unyieldingly black or white. Jack Ryan takes few risks with its retelling of the Tom Clancy franchise – the heroes and villains are incapable of confusion or even observations of commonality. Jack Ryan (played by John Krasinski) is a reluctant hero’s hero – a familiar, comfortable and unimaginative cinematic trope.

    Patriot is the anti-Jack Ryan -- an off-beat, sometimes whimsical dark comedy/drama focusing on a lone-acting government operative (John Tavner aka John Lakeman played by Michael Dorner) who is every bit as conflicted as he is quirky. John Lakeman is a deadpan, depressive, under-resourced son of high-ranking government officials whose unique skills and knowledge are brutally practical rather than awe-inspiring. Parallel lines between the “good guys” and the “bad guys” are clearly traced throughout the series. In fact, Patriot does not really present “good guys” or “bad guys” -- only our guys and theirs.

    While the series consistently relies on farcical scenarios that take Murphy’s law to its illogical extreme to build the drama, the plot takes a backseat to Lakeman’s inner-conflict which drives his dynamic with both the “allies” and “foes” he encounters along his journey. Writer/director Steven Conrad (The Pursuit of Happyness, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty) presents his protagonist as a figure to be pitied as much as he is to be admired and Dorner is exceptional of evoking empathy for his character. It is this quality, not charisma that ultimately allows Lakeman to forge some strange alliances.

    With my appreciation of the series, I warn that it is not for everyone. I also caution that Season 2 fell short of my lofty expectations built by Season 1. The second season missed its mark at times – most notably with a group urinal scene (a recurring device in the series), this time involving a group of French policemen and depicting their extremely small genitalia for the punchline of a bad, pointless joke. With a few exceptions, it also fell short of Season 1’s compelling use of music -- particularly the improvised folk songs performed by Dorner in Season 2 lacked the consistent charm of those from Season 1. The end production of Season 2 – presumably the series finale – also seemed rushed. The final episode was not particularly satisfying, leaving many characters, questions and subplots only partially developed. It felt as if Conrad had more to tell in this story than Season 2’s eight episode run would allow. Based on Amazon’s unceremonious release of Season 2, it seems doubtful that the series will be renewed for a third season to allow Conrad to complete his storytelling.

    If your tastes in television align with the big network offerings and/or you are a fan of predictability, you probably want to pass this series – and especially its second season. If you are a fan of quirky and offbeat shows such as Fargo, I strongly recommend that you give Patriot a try.    … Expand
  3. Bingo99
    Nov 20, 2018
    10
    Way better than “Jack Ryan” which is pedestrian and dull as dough. Too bad it looks like Amazon will not renew for a third season.
  4. suewhite
    Nov 19, 2018
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Patriot is IMO a love story to all the NOC's (non-official cover) officers who give their lives for our country- unsung, unthanked, under compensated. I didn't know much about them until watching this show and then doing some research. Yes this is a parody to a great extent but also it is a message to America. Thank you all of you NOC's out there for what you do. You are the greatest of patriots. That is what makes this show worth following. And it is brilliantly written - despite many moments when you want to yell at the TV "that is absurd!" " just tell Agathe!", etc. And you care about the characters - well developed despite little dialogue. Stick with it- it is worth it. Hopefully a Season 3...… Expand
  5. LocationEarth
    Dec 2, 2018
    9
    While at times a bit lengthy the second season is a worthy successor that sets a different pace and is even more delightfully painful to watch!
  6. zackzachzaczak
    Mar 3, 2023
    9
    The fact that Amazon doesn't have plans to renew this for a 3rd season is an absolute tragedy. The only thing more shocking is the paltry 6.9...one of the best shows out there, under-appreciated cathartic brilliance with great macabre, dark humor.

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 4 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. New York Post
    Reviewed by: Michael Starr
    Nov 13, 2018
    63
    If your personal tastes run to off-kilter comedy, then this weird, atmospheric spy caper, back for Season 2 on Amazon, is right up your alley: think of a series mixing the offbeat sensibilities of the Coen Brothers with the quirky darkness of David Lynch.
    Read full review
  2. IndieWire
    Reviewed by: Ben Travers
    Nov 12, 2018
    75
    Season 2 is shorter (both in episode count and length), darker, and lacking in much of the whimsy that kept Season 1 afloat, but it’s an intriguing narrative with unique payoffs.
    Read full review
  3. Salon
    Reviewed by: Melanie McFarland
    Nov 9, 2018
    80
    There’s much to appreciate in Conrad’s mastery of building tension toward ludicrous outcomes in some case, or punctuating stretches of relative calm with explosions of chaos and violence.
    Read full review
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