Standoff
Tags: violence, romantic

Plot synopsis:
A young girl, Bird with her aunt's boyfriend waiting at the car, visits the grave of her parents on the anniversary of their deaths, witnesses and photographs a hitman, Sade, killing people attending a funeral. When her aunt's boyfriend, Roger, comes looking for her, Sade kills him and tries to kill her too, but she flees into the woods. Bird comes across the house of a war veteran, Carter, who vows to protect her. Arriving at the house, Sade shoots at Carter, who grabs a shotgun and shoots back. They exchange words and gunfire, and both are wounded. During a break in the gunfire, Sade tries to talk Carter into sending Bird down so he can kill her. Carter refuses, and they both pause to patch up their wounds and prepare for the next round. Carter sends the girl for some light bulbs, which he breaks and throws down the stairs, alerting Sade to the fact that he "ain't no farmer." Carter finds out from the girl what happened in the cemetery and that she has a picture of Sade's face. Sade, in the downstairs of the house, starts going through Carter's possessions and finds a picture of Carter in military uniform with his wife and son. He tries to convince Carter he is also ex-military and he understands why Carter is protecting Bird. Carter lets him know he is aware that Bird has a picture of him and that is why he is after her.
Meanwhile, a sheriff's deputy happens upon the abandoned cars at the cemetery. In the house, a resting Carter is dreaming about a tragedy that happened to his son. He wakes up and sends Bird to get a bottle of alcohol. She returns with the drink and his son's teddy bear, which he angrily tells her to put back. Sade finds and starts to read a letter Carter had written his wife, taking blame for the death of their son. In the letter, he states he knew she blamed him for the death and didn't blame her for leaving him. Sade realizes that Carter had packed up and written the letter as he was contemplating suicide. He snidely encourages him to go ahead.
Bird tells Carter that her dad told her she had "no quit in her" and wonders if she will see her dad when she dies. She asks Carter why his wife left him and he said the house reminded her of their son. They hug and Sade shoots a round, gaining the attention of the deputy (Jim Watson) who was looking around for the cars' owners. The light in the house starts to fade and Carter now needs to get Bird out as he only has one shot remaining and in the dark he can't protect her.
The deputy goes back to his car to report the shot fired and ask if a shooting range had opened. He drives up to the house, where Sade sees him arrive while Carter is trying to get Bird out through a window on the second level. Knocking at the door, the deputy is shot by Sade and Bird goes back into the house. Sade hides the deputy's car and starts to head back to the house where Carter confronts him and tells him to leave. Sade tries to goad him to shoot, guessing he only has the one shot and would likely miss given the shotgun's range. Carter backs off and Sade grabs the deputy as bait. He tries to bargain with Carter for the deputy's life as well as his own for Bird. When Carter refuses, Sade starts to torture the deputy. He eventually shoots him and rolls him out where Carter can see him.
After a period of silence, Carter tells Bird to hide and starts down the stairs. Sade in the meanwhile makes his way barefoot across the roof. He ends up at the top of the stairs, where he is surprised by Carter, and falls down the glass-strewn stairs. Fed-up, Sade plans to set the house on fire, but changes his mind and calls Carter's wife on Carter's cell phone which he had found earlier. Resting again, the men engage in another argument.
Night descends and Carter's wife Mara arrives. Sade bargains again for Bird implying he'll rape Mara if Carter doesn't comply. Fearing he will trade for his wife, Bird pleads with Carter not to. Instead he gives her the gun instructing her to shoot down the stairs if Sade heads up. He heads down the stairs, telling Sade "if he wants her, go get her." Sade goes on a rant before shooting Carter in the leg. When Sade yells to Bird that he will kill Carter, she quickly heads down the stairs in order go save him. Before Sade has the chance to kill any of them, the lights in the house flicker, giving Carter the chance to rush the assassin, stabbing Sade multiple times, though is shot in the ensuring struggle. While Carter incapacitates Sade, Mara runs outside to call 911. Bird, however, stays behind, determined to kill her tormentor herself. Finding Sade against the wall, severally bleeding, he tells her to shoot him after she aims the gun at Sade and pulls the trigger, but the gun only clicks; with Sade realizing the round was a dud the whole time. Sade aims his gun at Bird, who looks on at the man, unafraid, telling him herself to pull the trigger, though he only responds with the fact that he is not a monster before dying without shooting. With it finally over, Bird heads over to Carter who is still alive. He simply tells her "there is no quit in me." as the three of them wait for the police to arrive.

Review: Standoff is absolutely one of the best TV shows on Fox. I wasn't sure how this TV show would be able to create so many hostage situations...
But it isn't the situation which makes the show interesting, it's the character development.
Each character has their own unique background, and it's especially interesting hearing the backgrounds and reasoning's of the hostage taker.
Every episode is intense, thrilling and emotional.Fox on the other hand is one of the most stupid networks of all time.
Last summer, Fox promoted three (and more) new television constantly.
Every person who watched this network last summer new about the shows Vanished, Justice and Standoff.
Who knew one year later, almost all the TV shows Fox has spoken so highly about has been canceled (besides Till Death).
Fox hasn't given any of these shows a chance.
The show Full House which has one of the highest ratings in it's time had almost no viewers before the third season started.Standoff is the wrong show to take off.
I enjoyed the show but not nearly as much as 24.I think Fox should create a petition or something of that sort so it can bring Standoff back.
I think it should be the last episode of the season, not series.I've known ever since Fox moved Standoff to Friday night, just as they did to the show Vanished that it was done.BRING STANDOFF BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.
It's two lead actors, Ron Livingston and Rosemarie Dewitt, play their roles as crisis negotiators very well.
I only hope that the writing continues to be as strong in progressive episodes as it was in the pilot.Being a big fan of "harder edge" shows like 24, The Shield, & The Sopranos, I was surprised to find I really enjoyed this show.
I've been a big fan of Ron Livingston's since he had a side role in Swingers back in '96, and while I haven't seen much featuring Rosemarie Dewitt, I thought she provided a perfect foil for Ron Livingston's dry wit.Overall, I'd rate the show an 8 out of 10, only because I've only seen the first episode so far.
I hope they continue to build on the relationship between the two lead characters and keep the level of writing high..
Amazing, but not given any chance by FOX.
Standoff could definitely shine if it was given a chance.
It has just enough action to satisfy you but not too much and the writers make the character plots interesting but not overpowering.
It is too bad that FOX refuses to give great show a chance.
THis is an amazing show but of course FOX doesn't give chances to any shows except the popular ones.
When Matt admits the relationship over the radio to a hostage taker (ht)the whole office knows and his FBI job is in trouble as well as his partners.
Thank you Sky for bringing this show to the UK, it's great, and a nice change to actually get a good drama/comedy instead of more reality TV.The characters are well thought out, and well acted.
A great cast, especially Gina Torres as the "Boss".The story lines are solid, and without too much emphasis on the technical aspects the viewers is allowed to get involved with the personal story that evolves each week.It's also interesting to have the running theme of the relationship between the two main characters, and to see how this will develop as time goes on.Well done FOX, please don't cancel this one..
The show is about Matt Flannery (Ron Livingston) and Emily Lehman (Rosemarie DeWitt) who are the top-ranked crisis negotiators in the FBI Crisis Negotiation Unit, when they are not working together they are more than partners.
I hope this show lasts, just as along FOX does cancel another good show.
I know a lot of people don't enjoy this show, but we are already into the 2nd episode, and I find this show really great.
The chemistry between the two lead characters are just plain great, and the rest of the cast is excellent.
And the situations these people are put up against are not your average crisis, these are ones with point, and interest.This is a great show.
Best new crime drama since "CSI"....
In Australia, the three major commercial television stations (Channels 7, 9 and 10) have always tried to match each other with similar shows to vie for the viewer's attention.Channel 10 has always been home to 'Law & Order' (and its subsequents like 'SVU'), where as Channel 7 has been home to Jerry Bruckheimer's series including 'CSI' (as well as 'CSI: Miami' and 'CSI: New York'), 'Cold Case' and 'Without a Trace'.
As much as I like Mandy Patinkin the show wasn't anything special so I quit after the first episode.
A must see to fans of crime drama, and, in my opinion, the best new show since 'CSI'.
It's a refreshing crime-drama about two people, of the opposite sex, working as a team for the FBI's Crisis Negotiation Unit, including good action, well written dialogue with snappy comebacks.Simply put, this is just great entertainment.
Great chemistry between the co-stars, their characters and relationship are not cardboard cutouts.Ron Livingston and Rosemarie DeWitt does a great job fleshing out the lead characters, and the show even has a good supporting cast.
Gina Torres does a great job as their boss.Don't miss it, I'm at least hoping for another season!
The way that UPS-like delivery truck was found and even a package with a camera phone could be traced by number; then it was opened and a picture taken of the contents of the first package and rushed to the hostage negotiators.
Standoff was a great show, even though it was canceled.
The plots, dialog, and acting were excellent as well, and the actors were a perfect fit with the characters.
As the season progressed, each episode was better than the last.
Nevertheless, the show had four things that I personally love: wit, humor, action, and drama.
I would rate Standoff a 9 because of its lack of a twist and not a "happily ever after" ending, but I would recommend it to anyone who lives to watch shows with wit, humor, action, and drama like I do..
I think this show is one of the best that has been on TV in a long time.
It is always clever and exciting with a good mix of romance, drama, comedy and action.
I hope it is around for many seasons to come.Too often in the last few years we have seen spin-off after spin-off of the same formulaic "Cooke cutter shows" offering nothing new in terms of entertainment; various versions of "reality TV shows" and "Forensic shows" can be seen at any hour of the day ad nauseam.
Then like a breath of fresh air Standoff came on the scene offering so much more.
It is the quintessential TV drama packed with dynamic characters whose chemistry is nothing short of electric.
Ron Livingston and Rosemarie DeWitt are red hot together on screen.
Standoff is one of the best shows that fox has out there.
Many people criticizing it only because they don't understand the potential a show like this can lead too, of course if used in the right way.
When fox comes out with a great show its usually in the drama department.
For standoff look at the writing staff, the actors, its just an amazing show definitely worth more seasons and more views..
It is rare for any television series to be able to sustain a popular style crime drama and at the same time consistently and powerful captivate with strong and intimate emotional and riveting story lines that penetrate the soul and inner psyche of the human condition.
This one year series (prematurely cancelled) contained both humor, a decent on-going storyline with the two principle characters and dealt weekly with hard-hitting plots that exposed deeply, unnerving emotional stories about relationships, anxiety, fears and provided great insight into our own feelings.
Ron Livingston and Rosemarie DeWitt make a good couple.
Matt Flannery (Ron Livingston) and Emily Lehman (Rosemarie DeWitt) are an FBI negotiation team.
Each week they get a new case.The two leads have some good chemistry.
Maybe it's a good thing that this show got canceled so they have some time apart.
I have only seen the first 9 episodes but definitely plan to watch all of them.The writing is excellent - I agree with the viewer who wrote in their comment that it was difficult to find enough different hostage situations to keep things interesting, but so far they most definitely are.
Each situation is unique and unfolds in a very cohesive story that keeps your attention and makes you want to keep watching.The characters and acting are also excellent.
The tension between Ron Livingston and Rosemarie DeWitt comes across as very genuine - not forced - and results in enhancing the action and storyline.
I think you will find the show to be great entertainment.
I really cannot believe that Fox let this show go - well, I guess maybe I can believe it, but still, it's a shame that the really good TV is so short-lived..
I liked this show, it was clever and interesting and did not treat the viewer like an idiot.The sexual tension between the main characters added an extra dimension (although predictable at times) to the show.The situations that are presented were thought provoking and allows the user to get into the world of the criminal and the police in a way that makes you think.In addition to the mind games the addition of the swat team helped give a balance to the program (action is good in places).I would have liked to see the characters grow and develop through another series but was disappointed when the show was canceled.It seems like the suits are not prepared to cater for a more intelligent audience but would rather pander to the whims of a wider (less educated) demographic..
However the final 8 episodes have shown up on Tuesday nights at the unpopular 10.30pm timeslot, after the end of priority prime time.
It runs circles around shows like CSI, Criminal Minds etc.
But like most good shows out of the US it was cancelled because I guess it was over most of their heads.
Strange relationship between the two lead characters are just plain great, and the rest of the cast is excellent.
And the situations these people are put up against are not your average crisis, these are ones with point, and interest.P.S. I don't wanna this show to be closed like DB, 9.
Waiting for the next episodes Standoff is one of the best new series out this season.
The chemistry between Ron and Rosemarie makes an already awesome show perfect.
The personal relationship between Matt and Emily and how they use it to help talk down the Hostage Takers, with the exception of maybe the episode "Partners in Crime", adds an interesting and unusual element.
FOX did the right thing by not letting this show get canceled.
Give it a try, it is, I believe, one of the best shows on TV at this time.
It's safe to say that this show has more than one genre, and the writers play off the plot just fine within the small time frame the show takes place.I immediately fell in love after the fourth episode.
It is safe to say that action and romance play a highly rated role in this show.If you like a show that is dramatic, with just a pinch of passion and romance, this show is for you.
Everything is just right; the characters are not too mushy, yet there is attention on their romance.I HIGHLY recommend this show to anyone who needs something AWESOME to watch on Tuesday nights!.
unless it involves a network that cancels it." Thank you Fox!
Trust me, I like Ron Livingston and he was the reason I sat down to watch the show but what a letdown.
I don't watch police procedural shows but I know this much that this was probably the worst produced show because one it was an exercise in style over substance and second everything about it was so predictable, case in point(s) – predictable romantic involvement and constant bantering, which involved several one liners, between the lead FBI negotiators; unnecessary stylish camera angles, pans and zooms; a boss that would pop up just at the right moment to remind her prodigies to focus more on work than on each other's rump.
Michael Cudlitz, who for some reason loves to play law enforcement officers in just about every movie and show, repeats the same routine that he did in the movie The Negotiator with a little more character development that, once again, borders on stereotype- a trigger happy member of the law enforcement.
The show could have been great only if they had some creative people behind it who, in all modesty, could have learned few things from the makers of CSI.I give it 3 stars- one for the idea, one for casting Ron Livingston and one for canceling it..
This is how your writers see special forces; if they did any of the kind of research that actors do they would know that special forces at ALL levels is the epitome of TEAM WORK.....like directors, actors, editors, stage/studio hands working together to produce a hit show.
I don't think there are any other shows that take you inside the world of crisis negotiation.
Some episodes could've been written a little bit better but overall this show is awesome!
I like that the show started with Matt and Emily's relationship being outed.
I think picking the right cast is crucial for a show like this.
You have already missed out on what FOX early on recognized as great writing quickly becoming excellent.
You are missing out on some of the most creative writing that this viewer has ever seen in prime time TV.
The critics early on missed out on the whole concept of this new season hit.
Now, you may well want to sign up to be a crisis negotiator somewhere after watching Matt and Emily do their jobs, but it will probably be to see if the agents are 1/4 as good looking as the leads in this show.
What I am positive of is that you will tune in on Tuesdays because you want to see the twists to the plot that has been dreamed up for the next episode.
They have not gone overboard with this, they are believable in their romance, partly due to the writing putting the scenes in context, and in the right places, and mostly because Livingston and Dewitt were cast perfectly in these roles.
If you find that you can be hooked on the romance side of the leads in a series, then brace yourself, you are gonna fall hard the first time you watch this.
This is the first I have seen of the actress Rosemarie Dewitt, and for me she is out shining Livingston a bit, and that, is extremely hard to do for this viewer.
If you want to be challenged in figuring out some pretty interesting hostage negotiations and watch some great relationship parallels get drawn in an hour of TV, then Standoff is your show.
Send a message to the networks, send a message that you enjoy being entertained for a change on a level above fifth grade.Standoff deserves a second, fifth, tenth and twentieth season.
"Standoff" is a great new action/suspense series.
I love the two main character's, they play there parts so well, and make there jobs, as FBI negotiator's, look like any other everyday job.
Standoff is one of the best new series out this season, and its addicting.
I've seen all of the episodes that have been on so far and I loved them all.
The actors, Ron Livingston and Rosemarie DeWitt, have so much chemistry that its just amazing.
And the writing is also wonderful, I love it when the situations involve each other, like the episode where Emily was taken (sorta) hostage and Matt just couldn't concentrate on anything else but saving her.
I really hope it continues to be written well like it is and I hope that the characters' relationship continues to build in the great way it has been.
It's a very smart show, definitely seems realistic to me, but of course I don't know what the FBI is really like, but this is probably the best acting I've seen of the FBI.
I hope STANDOFF lasts many many seasons...yup..
She portrays a character that leads with a firm hand, yet has a sense of humour, (ie the no wedding comment) and I love her voice.
She can take care of herself in any situation, yet is still smart enough to know when to ask for help.The combination of humour and professionalism makes for great TV watching..
For a show built off of the concept of not only a standoff between the hostage takers and the negotiators, but also between the negotiators themselves there is a serious lack of any chemistry.
The characters of Matt and Emily lack chemistry.
While the show attempts to make us care for the two and want to support them as we see them work together and fight to not only save the hostages AND their relationship, we could care less because there is no energy between them.
If by chance the two leads showed some semblance of chemistry then the show might serve another purpose of entertainment, getting two see what the two hostage negotiators get themselves into.
Formulaic with no strong character to fall back on and make us interested.
I have to say, the show has already jumped the shark in the first season once Matt and Emily became hostages in Mexico, and to be honest, I didn't really care if they were saved or not.