'Rubicon' Season 1 preview

AMC’s newest attempt at a television masterpiece is called “Rubicon.” Though it’s not set to premiere until August 1, the pilot episode aired after this year’s season finale of “Breaking Bad,” and it did not disappoint.

The premise is this: A hyper-smart intelligence analyst uncovers a pattern that troubles him, revealing it to his superiors to no avail. However, when his boss attempts to meet him to talk, his train is mysteriously derailed.

Further digging leads Will Travers, the analyst, to believe he may have uncovered a large-scale, worldwide conspiracy in his own office.

What was interesting about the pilot was how little actually happened. There were a couple deaths and a lot of intriguing questions raised, but the writers gave only as many answers as they had to, instead opting for immense, curious ambiguity to hook the viewers.

Rooted in slow-moving ’70s film, the tone was mostly ominous and the colors mostly drab. James Badge Dale’s post-“Pacific” performance as Travers was dead on, capturing the dangerous complexity of his job at the think tank and his character’s all-encompassing uncertainty to a tee.

Pacing has always been a strength of both of AMC’s already critically acclaimed dramas “Mad Men” and “Breaking Bad,” and it looks to be one of “Rubicon”’s as well. Like all good mystery and conspiracy thrillers, the action is hardly imminent, with a lot of room between.

What also makes “Rubicon” more intriguing and sets it apart from its two siblings is its less reality-based concept. However implausible, the other series remain possible and grounded. This, on the other hand, has more potential for the grandiose and spectacular.

All signs point to another successful drama for the station, which would make it three-for-three now in original programming. If the series can continue to match its intensity and meticulously elaborate on some very interesting relationships, it will have strong characters and an incredible story to follow.