One of the recent shows on Netflix that I managed to catch was Arnold Schwarzenegger’s new show FUBAR, a military acronym meaning “f**ked up beyond any/all recognition.” The phrase was popularized back in 1989 with the film Tango & Cash. I remember my family constantly using the phrase and referencing that film. When I saw Netflix had a show titled that with Arnold involved, I knew it would probably be up my alley, and guess what? It absolutely was! I’m gonna give you a brief rundown on what it’s about and why you should check it out.
FUBAR is a comedy-driven show about a CIA Agent who is forced to delay retirement to take one last case. The case involves him extracting an operative who has had their identity compromised and will be killed in less than 24 hours. When Arnold arrives to extract the agent, he discovers it’s his daughter, who has apparently been a CIA case officer for several years. Their relationship is strained due to Arnold prioritizing work over his family and the first season sees Arnold and his daughter navigate past family issues as well as being forced to work together to stop a terrorist from detonating nuclear weapons that he’s made.
While the basic plot is easy enough to understand, it’s the supporting cast of characters that make this show truly entertaining and worth your time. Whether it’s the supporting case officers — they’re not called CIA Agents, that’s not a thing anyone calls them in reality. They’re case officers — played by Fortune Feimster and Travis Van Winkle or Arnold’s daughter Emma’s boyfriend, played by Jay Baruchel, or even the main villain himself, played by Gabriel Luna, the entire show was well cast and stays interesting as a result of these actors and actresses. I would say that Fortune Feimster’s character, Roo, is my absolute favorite on the show. Roo and Aldon (Van Winkle) have a dynamic that is memorable, hilarious, and the perfect counter to Arnold’s more “serious” tone. I put serious in quotes because… come on, it’s an action comedy we’re talking about here.
The entire show is only eight episodes, but it’s very much worth your time. Aside from the classic clever one-liners Schwarzenegger is known for using in his films, the show actually does a great job of developing a real sense of purpose and family within. You care about the characters and want to see them grow or learn. The relationships are real and have substance to them, with very real problems and issues arising and then being talked about with the intelligence and meaning they deserve. It was a pleasant surprise to see a substantive script to go along with the action and comedy.
Netflix has confirmed that FUBAR will be getting a second season, which is tremendous news because they have a bad habit of canceling great shows. I won’t get into what the show said will be in Season 2, in case some of it ends up spoiling what happens in S1, but you can read the article linked above if you’re interested in learning more or don’t care about spoilers. They fully intend to expand on the supporting cast, giving them more substantial plots and scenes. When you watch this show, you’ll see that’s just about the best possible news they could have shared concerning the second season.
In short, FUBAR is exactly what you’d expect from an Arnold production. It has heart. It has comedy. It is filled with interesting characters and has some tremendous writing in place to show that casting off. I genuinely cannot wait for season two. This might be the best new show Netflix has put out in a while and you owe it to yourself to at least check it out, especially if you’re an Arnie fan.
BSO Rating: 9-out-of-10
