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Hey Dude: Human Target is Back

By Beth Davies-Stofka
November 18, 2010 - 11:59

Human Target returned last night on FOX, launching a second season that promises to be as much fun as the first.  Chance, Winston and Guerrero are back, treating us to their usual witty banter and thrilling action.  Once again they conduct their unusual business in unusual places, from back alleys to glamorous private banks.  It's a formulaic show, to be sure, but it's a fun formula.  I'm more than happy to welcome these goofy guys back into my Wednesday nights.

The season debut featured the addition of fresh cast members.  First is wealthy philanthropist Isla Pucci, played by the elegant Indira Varma.  Pucci is ladylike and kind, lacking even a hint of moral stain.  She's also the money, having decided to bankroll Chance's redemption.  Having someone that smart, beautiful, rich, and sweet of heart and soul is bound to provide some fresh new humor, not to mention fresh eye candy. 


The team also picked up a stray thief named Ames, played by the lovely Janet Montgomery.  We'll see Ames in at least two more episodes.

There's got to be a lot of pressure on the producers of Human Target to make it work.  Nielsen Media Research reports that FOX is currently down almost 20% over last season in the crucial 18-49 category.  (Adults 18-49 are the ones who spend money.  If you can't draw them to your programming, you can't sell advertising.  And if you can't sell advertising, you can't fund your shows.)

Perhaps this is why torture figured so prominently in last night's episode.  Perhaps FOX is hoping that Human Target can attract some of 24's loyal viewers.

The problem is, the show didn't handle torture with the same seriousness of purpose that 24 did (admittedly so routinely that it became banal).  Winston, we are told, was tortured for two weeks.  But he seemed to come out of it with his surly wit unvarnished.  We all know this is not realistic.  Someone tortured for two weeks should be psychologically scarred by the experience.  So what do we conclude?  Should we believe that Winston is basically unaffected because he was barely tortured?  Is he so weak that it didn't take much torture to extract the information his captors wanted?  

More likely, the show is using torture as a storytelling device while being lazy and irresponsible about it.  I would have preferred to see Winston scarred by the experience.  The monumentally talented Chi McBride could have done something amazing with that.  Then Chance could have done something useful with his life by taking Winston to that ashram and helping him find some peace.  Instead Chance went out of character.  He became, well, gutless.  He abandoned his partner and friend in a time of need.

Still, all was well in the end with a great deal of flippancy, and I went along with it!



Guerrero as torturer and tormentor was the far more interesting aspect of the story.  He dumped a bound and bloodied man in an alley, and what did we do?  We laughed, for one thing, and we also assumed the guy deserved it.  This is the hold this character has on us.

Then, Guerrero didn't torture Ames, which was a relief because we could not have forgiven him for torturing such a cutie.  Instead, he relied on an effective combination of reputation and the vibe he exudes: the vibe of a man with no scruples, someone so casual about inflicting pain that he has migrated to someplace far beyond menace.  

It is simply brilliant the way Jackie Earle Haley can play the character just this way, while still inspiring such affection and loyalty in the viewer.  The result is much the same as it was in 24: we're rather shocked at how much torture we're willing to accept.

From the perspective of a fan, the success or failure of the sophomore season of Human Target will depend on the stories.  We just want good stories.  After a terrific first season, we have every reason to trust the production team.  We know that left alone, their creativity will develop in captivating ways.  They'll find all kinds of appealing ideas for cool action, stunts, and settings.  We also know that Haley, McBride and Valley will continue to play their characters just right.  The question is: Will they be left alone?  Or will too much pressure from FOX tank the series?  

Check back with us next week, and every week.  We will debrief -- the morning after!

Rating: 8.5 /10

Last Updated: August 31, 2023 - 08:12