Customer Reviews

Sleeper Cell - American Terror - The Complete Second Season

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

After reading some initially moderate reviews of the first season of "Sleeper Cell", I tuned into Showtime with minimal expectations. However, I was pleasantly surprised by an efficient, nicely acted, and timely thriller. I became a big supporter of the show, and felt that it was much better than a lot of people gave it credit for--and eventually it was recognized with some accolades (an Emmy nomination for best miniseries among others).

So, I went into "Sleeper Cell - American Terror" with greater expectations. While, ultimately, I don't feel as if was as taut and exciting as the first season--it is still an intriguing and serious minded look at the world of terrorism. The show essentially revolves around Michael Ealy as Darwyn, an African-American Muslim who is also an undercover FBI agent. He thwarted an attack on Dodger Stadium in "Sleeper Cell." The show picks up with months after that incident with Darwyn looking to distance himself from field work and live quietly with his girlfriend. As a horrific fate befalls his previous handler, he is called back into action to help stop a current and impending threat. Using his previous connections, he not only joins a new cell--but eventually becomes its leader. With an inexperienced handler, he often has to go rogue in order to maintain his credibility within the cell. In concurrent storylines, we follow two other members of last season's cast--Farik, the mastermind of the Dodger stadium attack and another "soldier."

Farik, a great and believable villain, is a bit underutilized here--but Oded Fehr makes him a powerful presence. The action is filmed around the globe, and the scope of the show is ambitious and impressive. I actually liked the members of the new cell, and thought the characterizations were surprisingly detailed. Far from stereotypes, you learn about them as individuals. This definitely raises the stakes. I did, however, think the show lacked some of the propulsive narrative drive necessary to make this absolutely unmissable entertainment. The interplay between Darwyn and his new handler is pretty forced and not particularly believable. It's conflict added for the sake of conflict. But once again (as in Season one), the character that threatens to derail the show is Darwyn's girlfriend. She is incorporated into the action unnecessarily and tediously (she does work for the FBI to conveniently thwart a custody action from her son's grandparents). It's not credible, nor interesting or well played.

I do recommend "American Terror," however. I do like that the show doesn't shy away from real consequences and real tragedy. An insightful look, the show is further distinguished by an ethically questionable ending and an ambiguous final shot. I admired that the show wasn't wrapped up in nobility--for to give this a tidy ending would have been a compromise not worthy of the serious and complex topic. KGHarris, 12/06.

At first i wasnt sure about this show in the first season of the show. My brother had recommended it because he said it was really good. As the episodes went on i realized that to. This show in many ways is even better then 24 just because of the reality of the issues... It shows the struggle inside islam between the true islam of peace and love (the fbi agent muslim trying to stop them), and the extremists who claim they are muslims ( the terrorists), and the struggle with the image of islam in the west, as well as what our country is going through at the moment. In the end the plot, actors, and everything else are great and keep you interested until the very end. I cant wait for the next season.

If you liked Season 1, you'll like Season 2. This is a real thriller.

All the characters that survived Season 1 are back, still as fanatic as ever. The not-too-bright girlfiend is back, along with in-laws that make things complicated. Darwyn's parents make short appearances, either approving or disapproving. The Feds are still powerful but rather inept, and in the end it is up to Darwyn, again, to save the day.

As in Season 1, there is plenty of explicit sex and violence. The bad guys are really bad, although they display an occasional hint of humanity. The good guys do a lot of things that are pretty awful, but they're trying to save the U.S.A., so I guess that justifies everything. The "girls just wanna have fun" and never think about how dangerous it might be. Darwyn looks unhappy and broods most of the time, and finally cracks under the strain. The body count is at least one per hour. A little unrealistic, maybe, but totally gripping.

At the end of every episode, I had an overwhelming urge to immediately watch the next one, because I couldn't wait to see what happens next. Just like Season 1, only more so.

This is one of the most powerful and realistic depictions of the crisis we are embroiled in today with regards to radical Islam. This series helps you to understand true Islam a little better, which is something most of us need to learn about. It also gives some insight into what it is like for people undercover trying to protect us every day while we are blissfully unaware and living our lives. I wrongfully assumed that since the ending was left up in the air that I would soon be watching Season 3 but now after reading this website, I find that this oustanding, unique series is cancelled. There are plenty of mediocre television shows being made today but Sleeper Cell is in a class by itself and its message should continue to be proliferated making us aware of the realities of the war against terrorism.

The producers made some interesting choices for the second season of "Sleeper Cell: American Terror" in that when Muslim FBI agent Darwyn Al-Sayeed (Michael Ealy) is sent on his next deep undercover mission the show is still following the other members of the first season's cell who also survived. Farik (Oded Fehr) has been captured and is being interrogated by the American government, while Ilija Korjenic (Henri Lubatti) makes his way back to his Europe to visit his homeland of Bosnia. Darwyn is trying to start a new life with Gayle Bishop (Melissa Sagemiller), but ends up back in another L.A. sleeper cell. Adding insult to injury, Darwyn ends up with a new FBI handler, Agent Warren Russell (Jay R. Ferguson), who would have to work really hard just to be an idiot. There is no doubt that this clown is going to get people killed.

A turn of events makes Darwyn the leader of the new sleeper cell, which consists of Salim (Omid Abtahi), an Iraqi ex-patriot raised in the U.K., Beeny Velazquez (Kevin Alejandro), a member of a Latino gang who became an extremist in prison, and Mina (Thekla Reuten), a Dutch woman converted to Islam by her late husband. Initially Darwin is supposed to get his hands on a missile, but then the cell is ordered to get their hands on nuclear material. Meanwhile, Farik is standing up to his interrogation, forcing the Americans to send him back to Saudi Arabia where the laws on torture are quite different. For the most part during season two it is Farik who is the most interesting character and I think you have to root for him not to break as he is interrogated and tortured despite the fact he is the villain of the piece. This is not just because the torturing escalates to a point beyond what most people would approve, but because of the insults and attacks directed towards his religious beliefs. After all, although their interpretations are radically different, Farik and Darwyn share the same faith and one of the strengths of "Sleeper Cell" is that Darwyn remains true to both his beliefs and his country as his does his job. Couple this plot line with the posturing and actions of Agent Russell and it is like the world has been turned upside down in these eight episodes.

The obvious point of comparison for "Sleeper Cell" in terms of contemporary American television programming is "24." The key thing that they have in common is that sometimes the bad guys win; it might not be anything major, but hundreds if not thousands of people get killed. The biggest difference between the two series is that "Sleeper Cell" is more grounded in the real world while "24" revels in hyperbole and pouring it on from start to finish. For me the final episode ended up being problematic because it throws away a lot of the strengths of the series. I was pretty sure I knew what Darwyn was setting up and the problem was not just that I was right (because I like to be right), but that it becomes one of those moments where the hero gives off the great one liner. True, the one liner is from the Qur'an, but Darwyn is such the strong silent type that pretty much anything he says is not as effect as when he levels his stare on people (or pops them one on the jaw). If that were not enough the show suddenly regresses to something like "Gunsmoke," and I just do not like "Sleeper Cell" appealing to my baser instincts. This series is at its best when Darwyn is walking the tightrope and at the end of this season he jumps off it to get down and dirty.

Warning: Spoilers for the 1st and 2nd Season follow.

I recently TiVOed the second and final season of "Sleeper Cell: American Terror" (8 episodes) off of Showtime. This show received very little fanfare when it premiered in 2005, but I found it to be the best thing I've ever seen on that channel, with the possible exception of "Stargate SG-1." In fact, I think it compares very favorably with the brilliant "The Wire" on HBO. Which is my way is saying its one of the best shows ever.

The first episode of season 2 had me off balance at first as I was trying to piece together the "Previously On" segments from first season to what was happening now. I obviously missed alot of details about how FBI undercover agent AND pious Muslim Darwyn Al-Said infiltrated an LA based terrorist cell led by charismatic Farik (Ardeth Bay from "The Mummy" movies) and ultimately foiled their attack on Dodger Stadium. But some basic facts emerged: Darwyn was emotionally recovering with his girlfriend in San Diego and Farik was in US custody and undergoing interrogation and former cell member Ilija Korjenic had escaped capture and dyed his hair "Spike" blonde and was hiding out in the apartment of his hooker girlfriend (who in the first season worked in a music store).

These three characters would not meet again until the final episode but the events and people surrounding them were so interesting you never cared. Darwyn gets asked to make contact with a latino gangbanger who converted to radical Islam in prison (where Darwyn apparently served six months in order to build a creditable cover identity). From there he gets recruited to a new terrorist cell and eventually takes over leadership. He faces new challenges in procuring the materials needed for a new attack (like a surface to air missile launcher) while also occasionally clashing with his new and slightly incompetent FBI handler Russell. After he gets the weapons and explosives, he and his handler have to figure out ways to neutralize them without the rest of the cell noticing. At a couple of points, the FBI is ready to take down the cell, but they wait because some new piece of the puzzle points to a bigger attack and they want the details.

Darwyn also has to deal with some personal problems. One of his cell members turns out to be a closet gay and because of shame about this AND also being a devout Muslim, almost kills a moderate Iman (which would probably bring down the cell prematurely) until Darwyn figures out what is going on. And he also has to deal the employer of the female member of his cell who is exploiting her fragile immigration status for sexual favors. Finally he has to deal with his own girlfriend, who is tired of his undercover work, especially after she gets involved in it after the female member of the cell spots her at a zoo and takes an interest in converting her to Islam.

These aren't the kind of challenges Jack Bauer usually faces. Despite the subject matter, "Sleeper Cell" owes more to the groundbreaking series "Wiseguy" than "24." Darwyn doesn't just take out the bad guys. Like Vinnie Terranova, he becomes one of the bad guys before he brings them down. Darwyn comes by his Muslim faith naturally from his father, so he isn't just staying in cover when he quotes the Quoran. He believes in the teachings of Islam, but makes it very clear in several scenes that he doesn't agree with the radical beliefs of the terrorists. But because you see these terrorists as people, you start to get a sense for why they may believe what they do.

Another difference from "24" is that this series takes place over a period of months. Many of the twists and turns of the story surprised me, but on retrospect you can see why things happened that way. You can tell that the writers and producers took great care with the storyline because it unfolds much like a Shakespearean tragedy. No one is safe from the collateral damage caused by the terrorists and the efforts to bring them down. The final confrontation between Darwyn and Farik is breathtaking. Showtime was too cheap to pony up money for more seasons. But "Sleeper Cell" went out with a bang. If only the ending of "The Sopranos" had been half this satisfying.

I ordered and watched the first season dvds (10 episodes) a few weeks ago. I knew how the story ended, but seeing how it begun was also quite a ride. The 1st season dvds had 3 commentary tracks that were interesting and a behind the scenes video about the filming of the season finale that was illuminating, if a bit long. Hopefully the 2nd season dvd extras are as good since I will probably order them and then re-watch them in a year or so.

Don't get me wrong, sleeper cell is no 24. However, if you like 24, Alias and Prison Break type shows, this is a good one to buy. My husband and I really prefer to purchase the DVD, as opposesd to watching the show each week. It makes for a fun rainy weekend marathon. Plus, who wants to wait an entire week, when there is a cliff hanger. Speaking of cliff hangers, you might also like The Shield. Sleeper Cell is good terrorist fun.

This was really good, really makes you think about terrorism and the people who fight them, it could've certianly given 24 a run for it's money. Unfortunately Showtime in its infinite wisdom cancelled this series after this season.
This is edge of your seat action following an undercover FBI agent as he infiltrates a terrorist cell and even though the series cancelled they don't leave you hanging for an ending. I loved this DVD and the first season was even better

The first season of this show was an intense, taut and no-holds-barred inside look at a terror cell planning the next 9/11, as seen by an American Muslim FBI agent who was (too?) deep-undercover in the cell. In the end, the plot is thwarted, and the good guys win.

This must have bothered some people, because the second season devolves into moral equivalence, futility, evil Americans and incompetence, where the idea of combating terrorism is equated with the terrorism itself.

If you hated the first season because it supported the War on Terror and viewed the US as the good guys, this may be for you. If you liked it and expect more of the same, pass this one by.

For those of you who would like to how the US government FBI) uses "Implants" or "Under Cover Agents" then this is for you. The reality of citations will definitely get you attention! Although for the most part a fictional program the directors brought to life just how grave an actual "Terrorist" event can be.
Geno