Wasn't going to do this but decided to have a little fun with The Dynasty on Apple TV, which started on Friday night with the first two episodes. These aren't going to be comprehensive reviews, but quickie recaps via categories. What I have so far (you can make suggestions for new ones in the comments):
Synopsis
Best Quote
I Didn't Know That
That Was Cool
Goosebumps Moment
LOL Moment
Biggest Nitpick
I Wished They Asked
Belichick Watch
Kraft's Moment of Glory
Episode MVP
Lingering Question
I will say, I think Patriots fans are going to love it. It's really meant for you guys. The direction and editing are outstanding. I have a few issues with it, as we'll get into, but it's really well done and worth the money. If you're interested in purchasing (if you haven't seen Ted Lasso and Black Bird - Hijack and Silo were solid as well - it's a good excuse), following this link to purchase will help BSJ.
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EPISODE 5: TORN
Synopsis
Brady struggles with his impermanence after a catastrophic injury. Belichick faces a test of his leadership and loyalty. (33 minutes)
Best Quote(s)
Bedard: "He's cold, he's calculating. If you're no good to go on the field ... you're no good to the team." - Brady Sr.
Giardi: "Most of the coaches in the NFL are coaching football, and he's coaching warfare." - Donte Stallworth on Belichick.
"I'm gonna put more pressure on you individually, more pressure on you collectively because when we get into those situations, we gotta be able to handle it."
I Didn't Know That
Bedard: Brady told Belichick that he wanted to put off ACL surgery to play that season, even threw in practice.
Giardi: Dito. What a psychopath. Logan Mankins did that one year. He probably should get into the Hall of Fame based on that alone.
That Was Cool
Bedard: Belichick's postgame speech where he recounted to the team that Kurt Warner and Tom Brady brought teams to the Super Bowl after replacing injured starters. And then this:
And Cassel, understandably, looking like he wanted to vomit.
Giardi: I'm always a sucker for the father/son look back, so the Navy stuff was right in my wheelhouse. And to hear his mother, Jeannette, say, "He loved everything his dad did. Anything that Steve did, he wanted to do. He wasn't a pest. He was there to learn."
Goosebumps Moment
Bedard: Brady's first game back with Jay Z's Public Service Announcement playing with the flyover.
Giardi: Drew Bledsoe diving into Brady's psyche, recalling that Tom got his chance because Drew went down and, in 2008, had to live with the doubts as Cassel took over, especially as he played well down the stretch. Just a reminder of how fleeting it can all be.
LOL Moment
Bedard: Cassel recounting Belichick getting on him about not picking up the cornerback blitz. 'Dear Mrs. Cassel, we're sorry to inform you that your son is dead because he's a dumbass and didn't see the corner blitz.'
Giardi: "Compared to Tommy, that's a gazelle back there running. They're used to molasses coming out of the container. They got a gazelle back there now. They got to prepare for that." - Randy Moss on the sidelines as Cassel shows off his wheels.
Biggest Nitpick
Bedard: Nothing about the coaching/Scott Pioli departures and how those affected the team?
Giardi: Gee, why was Sammy Morris in there as the third down back week one of 2008? Anyone? Bueller? (Kevin Faulk was suspended. I believe to this day that the ACL injury never would have happened if Faulk had played that day).
I Wished They Talked About
Bedard: The trade of Vrabel with Cassel - right after Vrabel had critical comments about Patriot Place. Man, they are leaving out a ton on the departures.
Giardi: Was there any consideration to letting Brady play as he wanted after the injury? You get the Moss story, and that was that.
Belichick Watch
Bedard: There was a lot in here about Belichick's demanding style, and some great film/audio of him at work.
Giardi: Hey, whaddya know? Belichick actually did coach the team. A lot of cool behind-the-scenes stuff in the meeting rooms and a perfect quote from Cassel about playing for Bill, "If you're not mentally tough, you can't play in that program. It'll destroy you."
Kraft's Moment of Glory
Giardi: RKK once again with the humanity: "Postgame, I went to visit Tommy. His leg was propped up on the pillows, and he was like a young man, sobbing."
Bedard: "He had observed over the years the modus operandi of our head coach. All players were expendable." - Kraft on Brady after the injury.
Patriots Hardo Moment
Bedard: All the media fawning over Belichick's ability to coach ... a team that didn't make the playoffs and didn't beat anybody good in 2008, and it was a wagon of a team coming off 16-0.
Giardi: Belichick to Cassel after they beat the Jets in his first start, "Cassel, I know you haven't started a game since the fucking 7th grade. But you started one today." Smiling. Flips Cassel the ball. That's a pat on the back and an attaboy from Bill. I'm sure he demolished the next day in the film room.
Episode MVP
Bedard: All the old clips of Belichick. I want more of him addressing the team.
Giardi: Brady Sr. As always, he doesn't pull punches, and I really enjoyed the insight into his son's mindset post-injury.
Lingering Questions/Comments
Bedard:
- This is the first episode that felt a bit light, other than the Brady injury stuff behind the scenes.
- Needed more of a setup with Alex Guerrero. He just sort of appeared with no explanation.
- I bet Giardi will be better on this stretch, which happened when I was in Green Bay and dealing with toddler twins. This is right before I came back from New England.
Giardi:
- I remember debating Brady v. Cassel late in the year and into the offseason. Hilarious.
- They made it seem like Cassel ran for 600 yards or something. He ran for 270. Pump the brakes. He wasn't Randall Cunningham or Mike Vick.
- How much do the Krafts dislike Wes Welker? I thought that was mostly a Belichick thing. Welker was a machine - even in 2008 with Casel - and continues to get zero love/respect/anything.
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I'm just going to leave this here every week just as a reminder:
