July 22 (2007-07-22) – August 26, 2007 (2007-08-26)
The Kill Point is an American television series that follows a group of U.S. Marines recently returned from serving in Iraq as they come together to pull off a major bank heist of a Three Rivers Bank branch in Pittsburgh. The series, produced by Mandeville Films and Lionsgate Television, was the first drama for the Spike TV network.[1] Working title for the project was The Kill Pitt.
Most of the filming took place in Market Square in downtown Pittsburgh while most of the sound stage filming took place in a warehouse in Lawrenceville, a section of Pittsburgh.
Jake "Mr. Wolf" Mendez, an ex-Sergeant in the Marine Corps and his men, all former members of the "10-13", a military platoon that participated in combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, enter a bank and rob it. Outside, on their way to the getaway car, they are shot at by vigilante, law enforcement, and private security personnel. Forced to retreat back into the bank when the getaway driver is wounded and their vehicle disabled, they take the bank customers hostage. Hostage negotiator Captain Horst Cali, attempts to end the stand off while elements of the "10-13" outside the bank and the father of one of the hostages work to help Mr. Wolf and his team escape.
Cast
Main
Donnie Wahlberg as Captain Horst Cali, an experienced police negotiator
John Leguizamo as Sergeant Jake Mendez / Mr. Wolf, the former leader of a Marine Corps platoon, now leading the platoon members in the robbery
Michael Hyatt as Lieutenant Connie Reubens, the commander of the SWAT team
Frank Grillo as Albert Roman / Mr. Pig, a flirtatious member of the platoon and Rabbit's brother
Jeremy Davidson as Corporal Henry Roman / Mr. Rabbit, a violent and unstable platoon member and Pig's brother
J.D. Williams as Marshall O'Brien, Jr. / Mr. Cat, the combat medic of the platoon
Laurel Brooke Johnson as Lucy Cali, Cali's pregnant wife
Patrick Sebes as Luke Mendez, Wolf's heroin-addicted son
Episodes
No.
Title
Original air date
1
"Who's Afraid of Mr. Wolf, Part 1" "Another Tour"
July 22, 2007 (2007-07-22)
2
"Who's Afraid of Mr. Wolf, Part 2" "Who's Afraid of Mr. Wolf?"
July 22, 2007 (2007-07-22)
3
"No Meringue"
July 29, 2007 (2007-07-29)
4
"Pro Patria"
August 5, 2007 (2007-08-05)
5
"Visiting Hours"
August 12, 2007 (2007-08-12)
6
"The Great Ape Escape"
August 19, 2007 (2007-08-19)
7
"The Devil's Zoo, Part 1" "Rabbit at Unrest"
August 26, 2007 (2007-08-26)
8
"The Devil's Zoo, Part 2" "The Devil's Zoo"
August 26, 2007 (2007-08-26)
Crew
The series was executive produced by James DeMonaco, David Hoberman, Todd Lieberman and Steve Shill.[2] DeMonaco has dealt with hostage situations before in his script for The Negotiator. Directors include cable regular Steve Shill who the network hoped would help to establish their reputation for drama.[1]
Critical response
Critics have characterised the show as familiar but watchable.[3][4][5][6][7][8] Comparisons have been drawn to 1970s bank heist movies,[6][7]Tarantino,[4]The Nine[2][3][4][6][8][9] and 24.[2] Comparisons to The Nine have been favourable on the grounds that The Kill Point always has an ending in sight.[3][6][9] Mr. Wolf's speeches to the crowd has been called "an Attica[7] moment" and compared to Dog Day Afternoon.[3][6]
The characters have been described as cliché by reviewers.[2][5] However, the script has drawn praise for its subtlety and entertainment value.[5] One reviewer felt that the running time allowed the clichéd characters to be developed in more interesting directions.[2]
The casting of the show has drawn particular praise. Reviewers have noted the cast members who have also worked on The Wire including Michael K. Williams, JD Williams, Leo Fitzpatrick and Michael Hyatt.[3][7] The chemistry of the opposing roles of negotiator and hostage taker also drew praise for John Leguizamo and Donnie Wahlberg as well as a surprising performance by Jeremy Davidson an unknown whose portrayal of a disturbed war veteran was very under-rated.[1][2][6][7] The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette praised local actor Bingo O'Malley.[8]
Webisodes
Five webisodes featuring Steve Cirbus as Deke and Joshua Elijah Reese as Derzius were made available via Spike TV's website.[8] They cover the activities of Deke and Derzius of 10/13 platoon outside the bank as they work to aid Mendez and company. The webisodes were written and directed by Josh Trank.
Cancellation
Despite healthy ratings and attaining the target demographic of male viewers, Spike decided not to renew the series for a second season.[10]
Home media
The series was released on DVD in the United Kingdom in 2008.