FX triumphantly returns to the entertainment scene, brewing yet another cinematic masterpiece. 'The Old Man,' a gripping novel by Thomas Perry, has been masterfully transformed for the silver screen by the dynamic duo of Jonathan Steinberg (currently helming the adaptation of 'Percy Jackson & the Olympians') and Robert Levine. The series ignited with the explosive premiere of its first two episodes, now streaming exclusively on Hulu. Jeff Bridges shines in the lead role as Dan Chase, a rogue CIA operative past his prime, fleeing the FBI's relentless pursuit. Unfolding in weekly installments across seven gripping chapters, 'The Old Man' paints a vivid portrait of a man on the brink.
Upon our initial encounter with Dan Chase, the very image of a seasoned CIA operative fades into obscurity. Weary, weathered, and isolated, episode one gently introduces us to Dan, his world a solitary existence shared with his loyal canine companions, Dave and Carol. Haunted by visions of his beloved wife, Abby, who succumbed to Huntington's disease years ago, her anguished screams echo through his nights, a constant reminder of the love he's lost. A distant daughter, Emily, resides in an undisclosed locale, a faint beacon of familial connection amidst the solitude.
Subtle clues—a phone microwaved after use, guns and caches of cash concealed beneath the floorboards—hint at Dan's relentless pursuit of anonymity. As he returns from a doctor's visit, a chance encounter with a bald stranger in a coffee shop sets his spider senses tingling. No overt threat is apparent, yet Dan's instincts, honed by a life lived on the fringes, prompt him to take precautions. He delves into a garbage bin, meticulously arranging empty cans on a string, a makeshift alarm system in his humble abode.
Nights are restless, spent with a flashlight by his side and a gun within arm's reach. The slightest rustle of the cans jolts him awake, his heart pounding, as Dave and Carol spring into action, leaping from the bed to patrol the house. The tension mounts, painting a vivid canvas of a man haunted by his past, fighting to stay one step ahead in a game of cat and mouse.
Cloaked in the murky shadows, he spies the very same individual from the coffee shop. The vigilant dogs spring into action, incapacitating the man, while Dan swiftly pulls the trigger, ending the threat. To camouflage the encounter as a fair confrontation for the authorities, he cunningly utilizes the fallen man's weapon, discharging it haphazardly twice towards the rooftop. Without delay, he flees the town, his fingers dialing Emily's number to relay the tense situation.
Meanwhile, we glimpse FBI Assistant Director Harold Harper, his grandchild by his side, meticulously constructing Lego marvels. Through their heartfelt dialogue, we discern that the boy's parents have tragically passed, leaving a void in their lives. Harold, still grappling with his grief, retreats to the bathroom where tears silently fall, interrupted only by his wife holding out a ringing phone. On the other end, Agent Raymond Waters' voice echoes, having been redirected by Bob Blasky of DCS. An old, seemingly dormant case of Harold's resurfaces—a person who vanished without a trace near Torkham in 1987. This time, it revolves around Dan.
Waters' mission: to ascertain Dan's survival and, if alive, locate and bring him in. However, Harold's initial response betrays a reluctance to reopen these long-buried files, his demeanor hinting at dark secrets he wishes to keep buried.
Dan, a fugitive on the lam, finds temporary solace in a roadside diner, convinced he's put enough distance between himself and his pursuers. A phone call ensues, where he instructs an unnamed figure to "prepare the house" for his arrival. A fleeting memory flashes, revealing a younger Dan and Abby, dreaming of a future together, a home of their own. This conversation, tinged with nostalgia, unfolds post-"incident," their lives forever altered. The enigmatic identity of Mrs. Dixon lingers, unanswered in this episode's tapestry, with Dan mentioning her to his contact, adding to the intrigue surrounding their past. Could Mrs. Dixon be a clue to Dan's true identity?
Abby and Dan, forced to shed their names and identities, vanished into obscurity, their existence cloaked in mystery. Rest assured, the veil will gradually lift in the episodes to come.
But here's the unexpected twist: Harold, presciently, was already aware of Dan's survival, even before Waters' call. It seems they've struck an unspoken deal, their alliance forged from mutual advantage. In a clandestine exchange, Harold alerts Dan to the transponder planted on his vehicle by the bald man, a sinister device tracking his every move.
Behind Dan stands an unwavering wall of FBI's elite specialists and rigorously trained operatives, poised to converge on his position within a mere three minutes. Faraz Hamzad yearns for a second encounter with Dan, yet Harold's voice carries a dire condition: Dan must forever relinquish the bond with his beloved daughter, Emily. Failure to comply would plunge her into peril's grasp. Despite his shattered heart and tumultuous emotions, Dan steels himself and makes the call. Emily, seething with anger and confusion, finds herself powerless to intervene.
Dan evades his pursuers with cunning, jettisoning the transponder onto the deserted road. Waters dispatches the tailing agents to scour the vicinity, convinced that the wily old man has once again vanished into thin air. But just when all seems lost, Dan emerges from the shadows like a phantom, ramming his vehicle into theirs with reckless abandon. One agent falls, while the other narrowly escapes, incapacitating Dan.
Left behind are his loyal companions, Dave and Carol, while Dan himself is taken into custody. Yet, beneath the surface of defeat, Dan harbors a cunning strategy. With a swift tug of the seatbelt, he orchestrates a daring escape, crashing the car in a spectacle of destruction that thwarts the agent's counterattack. And in the chaos that follows, Dave and Carol spring into action, securing Dan's freedom.
As the episode draws to a close, Dan's voice echoes through the line to Harper, a chilling warning that sends shivers down spines: "Each man you dispatch my way, I'll return in a body bag. And should any dare threaten my daughter, I swear, they'll be sent back in fragments, a grim reminder of the folly of crossing me."
