Why did they reveal the identity of the mole so quickly? - The Assets (2014) Discussion

[–] johnnymike91 11 years ago

Because its a true story and most people are familiar with Aldrich Aimes already

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[–] MasterMoron 11 years ago

Not really. When did this show take place? The 80s? I was probably a baby when this stuff went on.

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[–] acb132 11 years ago

Yeah the 80s. I guess they just figured almost everyone would know since it was the biggest mole scandal in U.S. history, so they figured they may as well present in a way that would best work for people who already know (which would be most, if not all).

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[–] StevieCRox 10 years ago

Hey did you know there's really no Santa Claus either?

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[–] RXeight 10 years ago

What do you mean with there is no Santa Claus either? :S

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[–] RhysRomancer 11 years ago

It is based upon the book by Sandy Grimes who was the agent that caught Aldrich Ames.Therefor, the story is mainly told through their points of view.
One thing I will say, is that Rhys's portrayal is so nervous and greasy, it's a wonder they didn't suspect him first!

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[–] !!!deleted!!! (41638798) 11 years ago

Exactly.

While ABC is airing it, it's obviously filled with a lot of the great British talent working today--like Harriet Walter.

And the Northern Irish man of greatness, John Lynch himself!

Putatively British format shows about historic events rarely talk down to their audiences like elementary school level networks like ABC usually have to. Overseas, they often presume a certain level of education and informed viewer and don't pander.

If somebody isn't informed about a particular true event they are showing, then the viewer just has to play catch up.

Revealing "the mole?" YIKES! There is a character named, wait for it--Aldrich Ames! LOL!

I thought it was beyond brave for a mass audience targeted network like ABC to take on a show as particular and historic and tick tock cerebral as this. Kudos to them for giving it a go....

It's a very important story.

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[–] acb132 11 years ago

+1

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[–] dudestein 11 years ago

If somebody isn't informed about a particular true event they are showing, then the viewer just has to play catch up.

If only we had some magical device that could transport text of History and events into your homes to read. One that were so amazing, it allowed even the most simple minded to use key word searches and find all sorts of thing! ;-)

You're a Truncheon, Cutler!
Howdy Doody Circus Army; President

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[–] acb132 10 years ago

It's a bit of a shame this hadn't been, by luck, planned for release just 3-6 months later. With all the Ukraine/Putin talk I bet this series would've received more general mention and they would've had a lot more audience drawn in for the same modest advertising budget.

As you say it is a very important story and it's a shame so few got to see. Perhaps a few more will be pointed to it on the online stream or perhaps DVD/blu-ray/netflix/itunes one day.

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[–] dudestein 11 years ago

If you read the details of the investigation, it took the almost 8 years to catch Ames. In 1991 the team narrowed the search down to 28 possible suspects. They decide to cast a vote of who was most likely the Mole and Aldrich Ames was tops of the list.
https://www.cia.gov/news-information/featured-story-archive/ames-mole- hunt-team.html

You're a Truncheon, Cutler!
Howdy Doody Circus Army; President

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[–] 11 years ago

[deleted]

[–] MasterMoron 11 years ago

28 suspects? Now, that would have been a good series. Making the audience guess as to who the mole was. As to doing research to watch a series? Well, aside from the fact that the idea of doing research to enjoy a series is ridiculous, it's beside the point. You lose the suspense entirely if the mole is revealed right away. Doing additional research wouldn't change that fact.

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[–] dudestein 11 years ago

Columbo Revealed the Murderer in the 1st 5 minutes of the show. The mystery isn't who the bad guy is, the mystery is how they get caught.

You're a Truncheon, Cutler!
Howdy Doody Circus Army; President

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[–] MasterMoron 10 years ago

Clearly, based on the ratings, the viewing public disagrees with you.

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[–] 10 years ago

[deleted]

[–] dudestein 10 years ago

The public disagrees with me that in Columbo the villain is revealed at the beginning of an episode? Really?

You're a Truncheon, Cutler!
Howdy Doody Circus Army; President

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[–] dudestein 10 years ago

Love watching that show about the Culper Spy Ring that was created by George Washington to help fight the war with the British...

SPOILER ALERT; Washington wins war and becomes President. Did your head just explode?

You're a Truncheon, Cutler!
Howdy Doody Circus Army; President

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[–] acb132 10 years ago

Most of the public didn't even know the show was on.

And sadly most of the ABC viewing public these days is Bachelor and Bachelorette fans.

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[–] GaelinW 10 years ago

28 suspects? Now, that would have been a good series. Making the audience guess as to who the mole was. As to doing research to watch a series? Well, aside from the fact that the idea of doing research to enjoy a series is ridiculous, it's beside the point. You lose the suspense entirely if the mole is revealed right away. Doing additional research wouldn't change that fact.

Except the only people interested in a CIA mole hunt from 30 yrs ago would be the people who already know the history. People like you who know don't know and would be interested are far and few. So writing a show, pretending the character named Aldrich Ames isn't the guilty one would be necessitate pretending the audience was completely ignorant. And while that might work for certain type of film, it wouldn't for this kind.

"I am allowed to think everyone is stupid for 10 minutes."-- Randy Susan Meyers

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[–] dudestein 10 years ago

Besides, what a lame mystery would it be if you could make a simple Google search and get your answer in 30 seconds? Should we really pander to the ignorant of recent...yes recent history?

You're a Truncheon, Cutler!
Howdy Doody Circus Army; President

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[–] acb132 10 years ago

Only it didn't really play out like that, so it would've had to have been 90% fake then and really gone wild with the dramatic license. And all that just for the few who had no clue (although who knows, maybe more than a few.... going by Jaywalking hah, of course for that they probably stand there for a few hours and just show the most clueless responses) and, furthermore, for something so easily spoiled. I mean it would've been hard for anyone to watch it and mention it to more than a couple people and not end up getting spoiled.

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[–] There_Is_No_Sayid 10 years ago

This is based on a real case and Aldritch Ames is one of the most famous moles in American history.

Unless Alpert's covered in bacon grease, I don't think Hugo can track anything.

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[–] Fred-333 10 years ago

Most people would have known the mole since it was based on a true story - the story is about catching him and the women's lib aspect of how dumb men are.

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[–] ZoneFighter 10 years ago

Guess you didn't like Columbo either. The mystery wasn't who did it but how is Columbo going to figure it out. Was one of the most successful murder mystery series on American TV even though the audience new who the murder was from the start.

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