AMC has decided to cancel Parish, a crime drama that featured Giancarlo Esposito in the lead role. This news comes shortly after the show’s first season aired, which premiered in March and concluded its run in May. While fans were initially excited about the series, the quick decision from AMC shows that the network did not feel the show lived up to its potential.
The Storyline of Parish
Parish followed the story of Gracián “Gray” Parish, played by Esposito, who was a getaway driver trying to lead a normal life after leaving his criminal past behind. However, the plot took a tragic turn when his son was killed by gang members.
This devastating event forces Parish back into his former life as he seeks revenge. The character-driven narrative aimed to show themes of redemption, loss, and the impact of crime on families.
A Talented Cast
In addition to Esposito, the cast included Zackary Momoh as The Horse, a gangster in New Orleans. Paula Malcomson played Parish’s wife, while Skeet Ulrich portrayed Gary Parish’s friend, Colin.
Ivan Mbakop also had a role as The Horse’s brother, Zenzo. Despite having a strong cast, the show failed to resonate with viewers, which likely contributed to its cancellation.
AMC’s Statement on the Show
AMC expressed gratitude for the creative team behind Parish in a statement. They said, “We’re so proud of ‘Parish,’ and thankful for the creative talent involved and the performances they were able to bring to the screen, starting with the remarkable Giancarlo Esposito, Skeet Ulrich, and the entire cast.
We are unfortunately unable to proceed with a second season, but season one will remain available on AMC+ to fans who want to relive this thrill ride of a series and those yet to discover it.”
Still from Parish (Credit: AMC)
This sentiment of pride in the cast and crew indicates that the network believed in the potential of Parish but ultimately could not justify continuing the show. It suggests that, despite the talent involved, the series did not connect with its audience in the way AMC had hoped.
The Creative Team Behind Parish
Parish was created by Danny Brocklehurst and Jim Poyser, with Brocklehurst serving as a co-creator and executive producer. Eduardo Javier Canto and Ryan Maldonado were the showrunners, and Esposito was also an executive producer, having been involved with the project from its early stages.
The show was inspired by Brocklehurst’s BBC One series The Driver, which featured a different storyline but shared the theme of a getaway driver seeking redemption. However, AMC’s adaptation took many liberties that did not work out as intended.
One notable change was the character’s vehicle; instead of driving a yellow cab as in the original series, Parish featured a black car, aiming to enhance the show’s grittiness. Unfortunately, these changes did not lead to a more compelling story, and many viewers found the execution lacking.
High Hopes and Low Ratings
Before Parish premiered, there was a lot of excitement surrounding the series. Promotional materials promised a thrilling crime drama that would draw viewers in with its intense storytelling and character development. However, upon its arrival, the response from both viewers and critics was overwhelmingly negative.
Currently, Parish holds a mere 30% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, a clear indication that it did not meet audience expectations.
Critical Reception
Much of the criticism focused on the writing, which many found difficult to overlook, even with Esposito’s strong performance. Reviewers highlighted that while the show had the potential to tackle serious issues like race, crime, and familial relationships, it ultimately fell short. Critics felt that Parish missed opportunities to create a powerful narrative that could engage audiences on multiple levels.
Eric Massoto, a reviewer for Collider, summarized the disappointment many felt about the show. He stated, “Parish is a show that could have been a mindless, action-packed story. It could have been an investigative thriller about the death of a Black boy.
It could have been an exposé about real-world issues involving race and taking advantage of people in vulnerable situations.
It could have even been about a father reconnecting with his daughter and family after deeply regretting his past attitudes. Instead, Parish fumbles all its themes, barely scratching the surface of them, and delivers a show that feels generic, soulless, and ultimately forgettable.”
This critical analysis indicates that Parish struggled to develop its themes and characters fully. The show had an opportunity to show complex issues but chose instead to present a storyline that many felt was superficial and lacked depth.
What’s Next for Giancarlo Esposito?
The cancellation of Parish may have disappointed some viewers who were hoping for a deeper scheme of its themes. However, Giancarlo Esposito fans can look forward to seeing more of him in upcoming projects.
He has a busy schedule ahead, with shows like The Residence and Poker Face on the horizon. In addition, Esposito will appear in several films, including The Electric State, The Long Home, The Prince, and Captain America: Brave New World.
The Challenges of New Shows
The news of Parish’s cancellation raises questions about the challenges faced by new shows in a competitive view. In an era where streaming services and networks are constantly vying for viewer attention, shows must not only attract an audience but also retain it with compelling content. Parish serves as a reminder that even with a talented cast and interesting premise, success is not guaranteed.
AMC’s Commitment to Quality
AMC’s decision to cancel Parish demonstrates the network’s commitment to producing quality content that resonates with its audience. While the show had potential, it ultimately did not meet the expectations set by its promotional materials and the reputation of its cast.
Still from Parish (Credit: AMC)
As the entertainment industry continues to evolve, networks will need to prioritize strong storytelling and character development to keep viewers engaged.
The Legacy of Parish
Parish will remain available for those who want to revisit the series on AMC+. The first season may not have captured the audience’s hearts, but it serves as a stepping stone for the talent involved.
For Giancarlo Esposito, the cancellation of Parish is not the end; instead, it opens doors for new opportunities and roles that may showcase his talents in a more favorable light.
Final Thoughts
Parish was a show that started with promise but ended in disappointment. It had the potential to show important themes and deliver a gripping narrative, yet it fell short in execution. The quick cancellation by AMC highlights the challenges new shows face in a crowded market.
While showing important themes and deliver a gripping narrative, yet it fell short in execution. The quick cancellation by AMC highlights the challenges new shows face in a crowded Parish will not return for a second season, its legacy lies in the lessons learned for future productions, especially regarding writing, character development, and the importance of connecting with viewers.
The latest episode of The Old Man series continues to follow the struggles of Dan Chase (played by Jeff Bridges) and Harold Harper (played by John Lithgow) as they deal with their complicated pasts. In this episode, things get even more challenging for the two characters.
Dan Chase is in the custody of Suleyman Pavlovich (played by Rade Serbedzija), while Harold Harper starts to realize that his ex-wife Marion (played by Janet McTeer) is involved in the whole situation far more than he initially believed. Moreover, Chase is likely infected by an airborne toxin, making things worse.
As the episode begins, we see that the infection doesn’t seem to be a big concern for Pavlovich. Chase is tied up in an abandoned building, which seems to be one of Pavlovich’s hideouts. While Chase is alone, he is visited by a vision of Emily (played by Alia Shawkat), who tells him that she will see him soon. This appears to be a grim hint at what may happen to him.
The vision vanishes just before Pavlovich arrives. Pavlovich is curious about why someone like Chase, who has managed to avoid capture for so long, would suddenly allow himself to be caught. Chase reveals that he did so in order to get the antidote to the toxin. He also offers to exchange some information for the antidote. Pavlovich agrees to this deal but only if the information meets his expectations.
Dan Chase explains that Pavlovich’s membership in the rare earth minerals cartel depends on killing him and Zoe (played by Amy Brenneman). Pavlovich believes he can catch Zoe quickly, so he is not too concerned about keeping Chase alive. However, Chase argues that by the time Pavlovich gets to Zoe, she will have already ruined his plans. This makes things more complicated for Pavlovich.
Still from The Old Man (Credit: FX)
During this conversation, the vision of Emily reappears. It could be a result of the mental effects caused by the toxin, as Pavlovich had mentioned earlier. Emily’s vision predicts that Chase will kill Pavlovich but still not get the antidote. However, Chase will feel like he got revenge for Emily’s death. This shows that Chase’s subconscious mind is aware of his own destructive tendencies.
Meanwhile, Zoe arrives at the police station as she promised Chase. She asks the police constable to take her into custody because she is scared for her life after witnessing a murder. The constable is naturally skeptical, especially because Zoe is asking to speak to someone from the CIA instead of the senior constable.
Zoe insists that she needs to speak to the U.S. embassy and the CIA chief of station because the murderers involved killed two important people: Nina Kruger and Morgan Bote. These names mean nothing to the constable, but she makes the call to the embassy as Zoe requested. It seems the constable didn’t want to argue further, probably deciding that her salary wasn’t worth the hassle.
The action then moves to a new city—Hong Kong. We see a young girl asking her mother for some candy, and when her mother refuses, an older woman named Marion secretly gives the candy to the girl. Marion turns out to be the grandmother of the little girl, and she leaves her family for an unexpected meeting.
This meeting is with Harold Harper, who has been following her for some time. He tells her they need to find a private place to talk, and Marion agrees to lead him somewhere quiet.
Back at the police station, someone from the U.S. embassy arrives to meet Zoe. This information is reported back to Pavlovich by his sentry, who is told to remain on standby until the situation between Pavlovich and Chase is resolved. At the police station, Zoe meets Pete (played by Nick Boraine), who is not the chief of station at the embassy but claims he can help her through the situation.
Zoe tells Pete that she wants immunity for any actions she may have taken in the past and a clean slate going forward in exchange for the information she has. Pete warns her that once she reveals the name of the killer, dangerous people from around the world may seek her out for revenge.
He explains that getting immunity from prosecution is possible, but the kind of protection she needs is much more complex. Zoe acknowledges this and asks him to proceed with securing her immunity in exchange for the name of Bote’s killer.
Meanwhile, back at Pavlovich’s hideout, he and Chase continue their tense conversation. Chase informs Pavlovich that Zoe can either tell the CIA the truth, which will cause a lot of trouble for him, or give them a different name to direct the blame elsewhere. Chase warns that if Zoe gives them a name, it won’t just be any name—it’ll be his.
He tells Pavlovich that Zoe will create a story close to the truth, where an estranged associate of Bote’s came back after his daughter was kidnapped and sought revenge. In return for this misdirection, Chase demands the antidote, enough money to start a new life, and the opportunity for them both to walk away.
Additionally, Chase reveals to Pavlovich that Emily was actually Hamzad’s daughter, much to Pavlovich’s shock. As a final request, Chase asks for Emily’s body so he can give her a proper burial.
Still from The Old Man (Credit: FX)
Pavlovich is visibly shaken by this revelation, and it results in Chase losing control of the situation. Pavlovich becomes less willing to comply with Chase’s demands, fearing that Chase will now focus his anger on him. Chase assures him that he won’t seek revenge this time, despite wanting to, because he promised himself that he would leave Pavlovich’s custody alive at all costs.
Pavlovich is surprised that Chase would give up his desire for vengeance in exchange for a chance at a life with Zoe. However, considering all that Chase has lost, it’s understandable why he would make such a choice. Pavlovich agrees to the deal and unties Chase, telling him to make the necessary phone call.
Throughout this episode, we see how much Chase is still grieving the loss of Emily. The vision of Emily continues to play a significant role in his emotional state. The scene in which Chase faces Emily’s vision is powerful, with both Jeff Bridges and Alia Shawkat delivering intense performances. Shawkat’s portrayal of Emily is louder and more confrontational, while Bridges’ performance is quieter but no less impactful.
The quiet intensity in his portrayal makes Chase’s grief hit harder, as we see him struggle to move on while still feeling guilty for letting go of Emily. The episode does an excellent job of highlighting the emotional depth of the series, showing that it’s not just about action, politics, or drama, but also about deep personal struggles.
As the episode progresses, we are taken back to a flashback of a young Zoe (played by Caitlin Duffy) on her wedding day. Zoe is sitting alone, feeling uncertain about her future as a married woman. Her future father-in-law finds her and assures her that love isn’t always the magical feeling people expect.
Instead, it’s more about trust and vulnerability. Zoe’s reflection on this conversation mirrors her current situation with Chase. Both Zoe and Chase are making dangerous choices in order to be together, reflecting the complexities of their relationship.
Still from The Old Man (Credit: FX)Chase contacts Zoe and tells her that they’ve struck a deal. He asks if she knows what to tell Pete, and Zoe confirms that she does. However, before their conversation can go any further, Pavlovich and his men return, having learned that someone made a move against them. Pavlovich informs Chase that the deal is off and leaves him with one of his men (played by Nikolai Nikolaeff).
This man destroys the vials containing the antidote, revealing that he is the son of one of the men Chase killed in Afghanistan. Now, he seeks revenge on Chase. Pavlovich also gives the order to take care of Zoe, as he has lost contact with the facility in Meshbahar, where the lithium deposit is located. Pavlovich drives off to meet with the cartel leaders.
Outside the police station, a gunman arrives and kills Pete and the constable on duty. Zoe hides, but as the gunman approaches, she remembers a skill from her past—firing a rifle. She uses this memory to her advantage and shoots the gunman, killing him with a single shot. As she runs outside, she meets Julian Carson (played by Gbenga Akinnagbe), who has arrived to take her to Harper.
Back in Hong Kong, Harper confronts Marion with a photo of her and Pavlovich. He tells her that he knows she is involved with the rare earth minerals cartel and accuses her of having a role in Morgan Bote’s death and the attack on the Hamzad village.
Marion denies being involved in Bote’s murder but admits to working with Pavlovich at the lithium deposit. She claims that she no longer has any ties to Pavlovich now that he controls the deposit. However, she admits that she was the one who initially brought him into the cartel.
Marion explains that she had originally intended for Parwana Hamzad, or Emily, to be her partner in the cartel. Emily, being Hamzad’s daughter with connections to both the U.S. and the local area, seemed like the perfect candidate. Harper is horrified that Marion would even consider involving Emily in such a dangerous scheme. However, Marion doesn’t see it that way.
Her loyalties have shifted, and she now aligns herself with the Chinese government. She claims that since she was born in Hong Kong, she considers it her home. Harper, on the other hand, reminds her that she was once a British spy and that she shouldn’t expect a clean slate so easily.
At the abandoned building, Chase is fighting to survive. He manages to overpower the man holding him and kill him. Chase then reaches the case containing the antidote vials, only to discover that all of them have been destroyed. His hope of receiving the antidote is gone, but he still needs to find a way to escape.
Meanwhile, Pavlovich is meeting with other cartel leaders. They are concerned about the reports they’ve received regarding the situation at the lithium deposit in Meshbahar. Pavlovich dismisses these concerns, reassuring them that the deposit is under control.
However, it is revealed that the facility has been taken over by a local militia, led by none other than Parwana Hamzad, also known as Emily Chase. This shocking twist changes everything. Emily is still alive and playing an important role in the ongoing conflict.
This revelation sets the stage for an explosive finale, as the characters are drawn deeper into a web of lies, deceit, and revenge. With Emily alive and controlling the lithium deposit, the stakes are higher than ever before.
The episode ends with Chase, Zoe, and Harper all facing impossible decisions, while Emily emerges as a powerful figure. The Old Man continues to deliver a unique blend of action, drama, and emotional complexity. The show masterfully balances thrilling plot twists with deep character development, making this episode another standout in the series.
In this episode of The Old Man, the intricate layers of the narrative reveal more than just a tale of action and espionage. The emotional struggles of Dan Chase, the calculated manipulations of Pavlovich, and the growing relationships between the central characters bring forth a deep search of loyalty, vengeance, and personal sacrifice.
The episode goes into the complexities of human connections, emphasizing how the past continues to haunt those involved in political conflicts and familial ties. Dan Chase’s personal journey is one of survival, but it is equally about confronting the emotional weight of loss and redemption.
The sudden revelation that Emily is still alive throws a wrench into the anticipated outcomes, suggesting that the show is steering towards a grand, high-stakes conclusion where family, loyalty, and betrayal will clash.
The combination of suspense, emotional intensity, and moral dilemmas sets this episode apart, ensuring that viewers are fully invested in the fate of the characters. As we head toward the finale, the future of the characters—especially with Emily’s reemergence—promises explosive confrontations.
The groundwork laid in this episode solidifies The Old Man as a series that goes beyond traditional action thrillers, focusing on the emotional and psychological tolls of life-long conflicts.
