Lone Star: A Long Con On The Audience…

Suffice it to say, if Lone Star really does capture the heart of the viewers, than it’s a better Network con than original sin.

The premise of the show surrounds Robert Allen, a con man that leads a secret double life.  When he’s not pretending to be selling fake oil wells in Midland, Texas, he’s back in Houston working for his father-in-law in the oil business.

But that only scratches the surface of this complex and allegorically adept character play.  Not that this show has any relation to White Collar or Leverage, but con men and their misadventures seems to really be in vogue when it comes to narrative storytelling.  In fact, it’s easy to write off Lone Star as just another soap opera but with cons.  But what seems to hold this show together is James Wolk, who has a grin that rivals Clooney and some acting chops to back it up.  Wolk’s as conflicted and troubled con man Allen seems to be a match made in heaven — the actor clearly embodies the role, playing it with a pathos that really lets you into the character, albeit, a character that you should despise but for some reason, but would clearly give half your life savings to.

I guess what keeps me tuned in is whether or not the two women in Allen’s life will ever find out that he’s really living a double life.  Apparently in the series, having your cake and eating it too is a possibility that Allen sees all too clearly.  It’s too bad that even he can’t see that a foundation of lies will always crumble beneath your feet.

Jon Voight, as Allen’s father-in-law, lends great weight to the series, as the no-nonsense self made oil tycoon that can sniff out trouble from a mile away.  But when it comes to Robert Allen, he just might not see it coming until the thunder strikes his chin.  David Keith, as Allen’s father, is the elder con man that might not have much of a conscience, but you can tell that he does love his son.  But will that be enough to keep your own morals in check?

This series will definitely work on character play as well as managing some cons along the way.  But I do hope that they keep this one on the air, since good stories are hard to come by, and having good actors to read the lines is getting harder all the time… 😉