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The Middleman :: The Pilot Episode Sanction (01x01)

 
Episode Information
 
Title: The Pilot Episode Sanction
Episode #: 01x01
Original Airdate: Monday June 16th, 2008
6.9/10 (19 Votes cast)
Episode Crew
Director: Jeremiah S. Chechik
Story: Javier Grillo-Marxuach
Teleplay: Javier Grillo-Marxuach
 
Episode Summary
 
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Wendy Watson is an ordinary temp secretary who gets fired when a genetically modified monster goes berserk. This brings her into contact with... the Middleman, a special agent who contracts to take out mad scientists and evil spirits. She tags along on his newest case: looking into monkey business in the Mafia.
 
There are no foreign summaries for this episode: Contribute
English Recap Available: View Here
 
Flash
 
Guest Stars
 
Special Guest Stars
Mary Lynn RajskubplayedDr. Gibbs 
Guest Stars
Stephen SowanplayedBen StanleyRecurring (first appearance)
Co-Guest Stars
Michael OosteromplayedTBDRecurring (first appearance)
Fulvio CecereplayedMobster 
Dawn ChubaiplayedWXVD 9 Reporter 
Tom Fisher (2)playedUnknown 
Lorena GaleplayedMrs. Johnston 
L. Harvey GoldplayedDomenico Colfari 
Marcus Hondro (1)playedMobster 
Jennifer JeneiplayedStripper 
Santo LombardoplayedMobster 
Norman Misura (1)playedUnknown 
Scott PateyplayedEddie 
Emilio SalituroplayedTino 
Mike StarrplayedVarious Gorillas 
Colby WilsonplayedFirefighter 
Uncredited
Javier Grillo-MarxuachplayedScientist Teaching Gorilla to Read 
 
Main Cast
 
Matt KeeslarplayedThe Middleman
Natalie Morales (2)playedWendy Watson
Brit MorganplayedLacey Thornfield
Mary Pat GleasonplayedIda
Jake SmollettplayedNoser
 
Episode Notes
 
Filming Location: Vancouver, Canada
 
The episode was filmed in 12 days, at a cost of $2.9 million.
 
Stephen Sowan originally auditioned for the role of Noser.
 
Javier Grillo-Marxuach can be seen twice in the episode: he's the scientist teaching a gorilla to read, and his face is used on the Omerta Rat poster in Spanky's room
 
Spanky's gun is the actual prop used in the movie Scarface.
 
 
Episode Quotes
 
Wendy: Thank you for calling AND Laboratories, rescrambling your DNA, how may I direct your call?
 
The Middleman: Tell the truth if you want, but if you do I’ll going to have to root you like a hog and kill you.
 
The Middleman: So, what's it going to be: Keep the secret, or death?
Wendy: What do you think?
The Middleman: Ma'am, specificity is the soul of all good communication.
Wendy: Yes. Duh.
The Middleman: Outstanding. You're good under pressure.
Wendy: Are you hitting on me?
The Middleman: Just making an observation.
Wendy: Hellooo, nutjob, party of one.
The Middleman: No, ma'am. I'm just The Middleman.
 
Wendy: What kind of temp agency is this?
Ida: (deadpan) The kind that wants to put you in the satisfying and high-paying world of temporary employment.
 
The Middleman: You know how in comic books there’s all kinds of mad scientists and aliens and androids and monsters, and all of them either want to destroy or take over the world?
Wendy: In the comic books.
The Middleman: Well it really does work like that.
Wendy: Get out.
The Middleman: You already forgot what you saw?
Wendy: And you’re the superhero?
The Middleman: I never wear tights.
Wendy: I’m crushed.
 
The Middleman: What makes more sense? That a monster trashed a science lab or that a gas main exploded? If I hadn't planted your Zippo some pink skin normal would have still come up with a rational explanation. People want to believe reality's normal. The ones who don't are freaks and no one believes them anyway.
 
Wendy: What’s with the camera, are we making a movie?
Ben: I guess you could say that.
Wendy: Kinky. Should I bust out the feathered boa and the accordion?
 
Wendy: Oh, I don't do dress code after sundown.
The Middleman: It's bad apples like you who put J. Edger Hoover in a dress.
 
Wendy: Well who do you work for?
The Middleman: I got recruited, the exact same way you did. When the last Middleman hired me, he never said and I never asked. Ida was already there, so were all the weapons and gadgets and things. Sometimes a box comes in with weapons and things and stuff. I don’t know where they come from. Maybe Ida runs the show, maybe it’s a conspiracy. Maybe it’s God. I’m just the Middleman.
 
Dr. Gibbs: This is Zippy. We had to boost his intelligence three times to get him to stop painting those damn soup cans.
Wendy: Not bad for a classical realist.
Dr. Gibbs: Art snob.
 
The Middleman: (drinking milk) You know, that was some darn fine cow squirt.
 
Ben: I’m such a dolt. I thought that it would be art. Seemed like a good idea at the time.
Wendy: So did the Carter administration.
 
The Middleman: I don't get it, why the Mob?
Dr. Gibbs: Money! Fast, tax-free cash money. This is a federally-funded lab. Every year the government is less and less interested in making smarter apes and every year they slash my budget. Without money, I will never fulfill my dream.
The Middleman: What dream?
Dr. Gibbs: To build an army of genetically engineered super-apes...
Dr. Gibbs/The Middleman: ...and take over the world.
 
The Middleman: No more monologuing, or I'll Swiss-cheese you on principle.
 
Wendy: You're not gonna stop calling me "Dubbie," are you?
The Middleman: Not a gosh darn chance in heck!
 
 
Cultural References
 
The Avengers

The black & white sequence where the Middleman and Wendy spar, dance, point guns, and hold an umbrella is taken from the 1960s British series The Avengers, featuring Emma Peel (Diane Riggs) and John Steed (Patrick Macnee). Director Jeremiah Chechik worked on the 1999 movie adaption.


 
 
Other Episode Crew
 
CreatorJavier Grillo-Marxuach
Executive ProducerJavier Grillo-Marxuach  |  John Ziffren
Co-Executive ProducerHans Beimler
Supervising ProducerJeremiah S. Chechik
ProducerJon Paré
Co-ProducerSarah Watson
Associate ProducerShane Keller
Production DesignerChris August
EditorNorman Buckley
CastingMichael Nicolo  |  Anya Coloff  |  Amy McIntyre Britt  |  Stuart Atkins  |  Sean Cossey
Unit Production ManagerMichael Young (2)
First Assistant DirectorPeter Dashkewytch
Second Assistant DirectorRyan Kosmynka
Music SupervisorPeymon Maskan  |  Allison Clark
Costume DesignerCarla Hetland
Key GripKevin Black
Camera OperatorLou Gruzelier  |  Kevin Hall (1)
Set DecoratorLouise Roper
Location ManagerDanny McWilliams
Transportation CoordinatorRobin Chibi
Property MasterDean Barker
Construction CoordinatorStar Fields
Production Sound MixerDavid Husby
Script SupervisorNatasha Young
Production CoordinatorJared Howitt
Script CoordinatorNeil Levin
Post Production SupervisorKeith Patterson
GafferChris Meakes
Director of PhotographyDouglas Koch
Art DirectorGreg Venturi
Based On The Works OfJavier Grillo-Marxuach  |  Les McClaine
Key Makeup ArtistConnie Parker
Main Title ThemeTree Adams
ScoreTree Adams
Key HairstylistSanna Seppanen
Assistant Costume DesignerDebbie Geaghan
Special Effects CoordinatorTim Storvick
Production StaffMaya Toews  |  Sofie Dejus  |  Kim Sutton  |  Susan Murray  |  Karen Grebinski  |  Sandi Envik  |  Sheila Goodman  |  Michaela Meyers
Additional EditorJames Renfroe
Special Effects Make-upBill Terezakis
 
 
Featured Songs
 
 
 
Episode Goofs
 
 
 
Episode References
 
 
 
Analysis
 
 

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