Showtime's decidedly adult-oriented satire of big-business consultants begins the third season with Marty (Don Cheadle) opening his own firm while his former colleagues head to competitors. Jeannie (Kristen Bell), who previously confessed her love to a panicked Marty, is miserable when an old foe takes over her company and vows to destroy her career, and Clyde (Ben Schwartz) finds working for Marty's volatile ex-wife, Monica (Dawn Olivieri), to be a trial. So it isn't long before the band is back together, conniving under Marty's proudly unscrupulous direction as he endeavors to expand a fashion line created by two hip-hop moguls (Mekhi Phifer and Tip “T.I.” Harris). Although this is ostensibly a cynical look at American corporate culture and cutthroat schemes that skirt (or even cross the lines of) legalities, it is really more of a glossy soap opera with lead characters who are so competitive that they don't just collude for mutual gain, but they also actively sabotage one another. While often entertaining, House of Lies also tends towards the familiar while serving up unethical acts in an amoral environment, without attempting to broach more complex commentary. Compiling all 12 episodes from the 2014 third season, this is a strong optional purchase. (S. Axmaker)
House of Lies: The Third Season
Paramount, 2 discs, 329 min., not rated, DVD: $39.98 Volume 30, Issue 2
House of Lies: The Third Season
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