Watch The Last Templar

The Last Templar is a four-hour miniseries that aired on NBC in 2009. It stars Mira Sorvino in the lead role of Tess Chaykin, a Manhattan archaeologist who gets pulled into a dangerous and thrilling adventure that uncovers mysteries about the Knights Templar, a medieval religious order that was disbanded in the early 14th century. The show is a mix of historical drama, action-adventure, and romance, and takes viewers on a journey spanning centuries and continents.

The show opens with a prologue set in 1291 during the fall of Acre, the last stronghold of the Templars in the Holy Land. The Templars are shown hiding a mysterious object known as the "Last Heirloom" before being wiped out by Muslim forces. The story then jumps to present-day New York City, where Tess is part of a team excavating a site that contains remnants of a 14th-century ship. While the others are busy cataloging the artifacts, Tess is drawn to a small metal cylinder she finds among the debris. It bears the inscription "Filius Flammae", which she recognizes as a reference to the Templars' secret society.

Before long, Tess and her colleague Sean Daley (Scott Foley) find themselves embroiled in a high-stakes pursuit of the Last Heirloom. The object has been stolen from an exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and they get caught up in the investigation along with FBI agent Reilly (Victor Garber). What follows is a globe-trotting adventure that takes them to Turkey, where they uncover clues about the Templars' history and their connection to the Last Heirloom.

As they delve deeper into the mystery, Tess and Sean find themselves pursued by a shadowy organization known as the "Church Militant", whose motives are unclear but who seem intent on getting their hands on the Last Heirloom. Along the way, they encounter a number of colorful characters, including a Turkish museum director (Omar Sharif), a flamboyant treasure hunter (Kenneth Welsh), and a young Muslim woman (Görkem Yeltan) who becomes a key ally in their quest.

The Last Templar is a show that relies on fast-paced action and intriguing plot twists to keep viewers engaged. There are plenty of chases, shootouts, and narrow escapes, as well as moments of quiet reflection where the characters speculate about the meaning of the clues they've uncovered. The historical content is well-researched and provides a fascinating glimpse into the world of the Templars, their beliefs, and their ultimate fate.

Mira Sorvino gives a solid performance as Tess, conveying both her intelligence and her vulnerability as she comes to grips with the dangerous world she's been thrust into. Scott Foley is similarly effective as Sean, striking a balance between his roguish charm and his underlying loyalty to Tess. The two actors have good chemistry together, which makes their characters' romantic subplot feel more organic than forced. Victor Garber is also strong as the FBI agent, bringing gravitas to his scenes and balancing the more outlandish elements of the plot with a sense of grounded realism.

One of the strengths of The Last Templar is its production values. The show was filmed on location in Montreal, Istanbul, and other exotic locales, and the cinematography is lush and evocative. The costumes and sets also feel authentic, adding to the show's sense of historical accuracy. The score by Normand Corbeil is suitably dramatic and helps to heighten the tension and excitement. All of these elements combine to create a polished and professional product that feels like a big-budget movie rather than a TV miniseries.

Overall, The Last Templar is a fun and engaging show that blends historical drama with action-adventure in an effective way. The characters are likable, the plot is intriguing, and the production values are high. While it's not the most deep or nuanced show out there, it's definitely worth a watch for anyone who likes their TV shows fast-paced and exciting.