LEGENDS

Television needs its comfort food even more so now that so many complex and difficult dramas are available. Sometimes you just need a show that feels familiar, keeps you entertained and end without someone being stoned to death or some sort of mysterious, ominous clue. That's where TNT's Legends comes in. It stars Sean Bean as undercover FBI agent Martin Odum. What Legends is eager to tell viewers is that in the undercover world, "legend" means a "fabricated identity." The twist to the show is whether Odum is really who he thinks he is. Sure, he gets to be lots of interesting "legends" — a stuttering construction worker willing to commit an act of terror against his own country, a suave international arms dealer, a cowboy — all fake identities. But is "Martin Odum" real? And if he's not, does he understand that he's not who he thinks he is?
With an actor like Bean, who has done excellent work in Game of Thrones and The Lord of the Rings, has the capability to pull off all kinds of roles. Plus, he looks like he's having fun doing it. And yet, after watching the first two episodes, it's a shame that Legends isn't a bit more ambitious. The pilot is splashy and action-packed, but overall the lack of intricacy.
The average TV comfort food is now almost too good now; you have to pay attention while watching. That makes it hard for a show like Legends. It's either the perfect series for walking around your house while it's on or it's not good enough to be afforded one of your precious hours.
Beyond the fine efforts of Bean, Legends, also features Steve Harris as his boss; Morris Chestnut as an FBI agent whose know-how gets him on to the deep-cover team eventually; Tina Majorino as the tech-ops person who never fails; Amber Valletta as Odum's ex-wife and, perhaps less believably, Ali Larter as a fellow deep-cover operative. Maybe it's the curse of model looks, but it's hard to accept Larter as a badass agent.
It's an easy-on-the-eyes cast, and no doubt they'll all get into some Alias-like troubles going forward. But it would be nice if Legends acquired a little more heft. The deeper mystery of Odum's identity might be the fix for that, if the storyline unfolds with more speed.