Small Screen: Prime and Suspect Pilots
Sunday, September 25, 2011 at 1:00PM I promised a bit more TV talk this year and though I haven't seen any show that would inspire me to cover it weekly (Mad Men and True Blood are rare beasts, as interesting to write about as they are to watch) here's a quick overview of first impressions of new series.
PRIME SUSPECT
A bit strange to watch this one in the receding shadow of last weekend's Emmy Awards. The whole time I kept thinking "Oh... here's one to shake up the Best Drama Series field next year if it can be shook. And Best Actress, too!"
But then, immediately after it ended, I felt ashamed of this inner golden-winged monologue. Great acting is no promise of statues after all. I must must must remember my own mantra -- difficult as it is to remember whilst enthusiastically prepping for Oscar season -- Great Work Is Its Own Reward. And Maria Bello is her own reward (and so rewarding, too). Which is as it has to be given the cold shoulder from Oscar in the past (The Cooler, A History of Violence).
Prime Suspect, her new show (adapted from the now 20 year old Helen Mirren series) details the murder investigations of the smart abrasive Jane Timoney, the only woman in her homicide department. The first hour had a few script and performance beats with the zing of those 'Clarice Starling surrounded by tall men' visuals in The Silence of the Lambs but Bello just refuses to shrink. Though procedurals never really capture my imagination, character studies do and Bello demands that I keep watching. Her detective is funny without feeling scripted-quippy and unusually capable without seeming infallible (such a danger for protagonist roles in TV and film). Best of all she shades all of Timoney's more typically admirable qualities like confidence, cleverness, intelligence, and femaleness in such a way that they throw shade; her confidence curdles into arrogance, her cleverness veers towards the reckless, her intelligence has zero warmth and her vagina is both interference and scapegoat. Yes, her department is sexist but isn't her cold arrogance and lack of sympathy for co-workers (who have justifiably open wounds in this episode) more than half of the problem in being welcomed into their club?
Click for more on Prime Suspect plus Revenge, Charlie's Angels and two more newbies.
The unusually potent snap of all this character-work plays out beautifully in each successive scene. The episode's final confrontation between Brian F. O'Byrne (Mildred Pierce) and Bello, who have been at odds over the case and interpersonal office dynamics for the entire episode, starts out weary and muted, slips toward wary and mulling and then leaps into warring and menacing. All of this over a "friendly" cup of coffee. This particular scene is A+ work in terms of acting, direction and script-writing. Damnit, I'm thinking about gold statues again! A
A GIFTED MAN
Watched this one, as noted, just for Patrick Wilson. Had nary a clue what it was about only to discover the current trend towards All Things Supernatural has been fused with that ol' chestnut of a foundational character arc: rich man without a soul must find one. Patrick Wilson is an able actor but it's surprisingly less fun to watch him be Golden Boy Asshole than it has been in the past to watch him perfectly capture Golden Boy Innocent Lost. The supporting cast is promising as it includes Emmy winner Margo Martindale ("Carol, Je'Taime") and Julie Benz (Buffy, Dexter). But damn if Jennifer Ehle as his deceased ex-wife doesn't confuse. I think she's meant to be a force wholly for good but damn if she didn't come off like the world's most passive agressive clingy spirit. I'm not displeased to have seen it but this seems super iffy and predictable in terms of a sustainable premise. B-
CHARLIE'S ANGELS
A failure on literally every level from the terrible script to the embarrassing acting "I didn't know my heart could hurt this much." That's funny, bitch. You don't seem very broken up in the next scene or even during this one! My heart breaks a little for headliner Minka Kelly who was engagingl on both Friday Night Lights and Parenthood. The Awfulness is a bafflement considering that Drew Barrymore was involved (at least her name was) and whatever your feelings are about McG and his oeuvre, Drew as a producer at least seemed to understand with the movie versions that Charlie's Angels as a franchise is allowed to be dumb, sloppy and impossibly unrealistic so long as it's A) lots of fun and B) has loads of personality ... or, well, four distinct personalities in Bosley and those three different Angels. Here's an educational note for the dumbasses involved: hair color and ethnicity are not personalities! Look the words up. This new version is like the zombie corpse* of the franchise: 100% devoid of life but still shuffling about. Shoot it in the brainnnnssss! F
'You wouldn't like me when I'm angry.' Actually we love it when you're angry Madeleine. Destroy her!REVENGE
I have nothing to add beyond Mark Blankenship's astute appreciation of its layered bitchtastic setpieces that practically foam with soapy grandeur other than to say SO GLAD MADELEINE STOWE IS BACK. I was rooting so hard for her in the 1990s (if you ask me she was as great as Daniel Day-Lewis in Last of the Mohicans and gave the best performance in 1993's actor-heavy Short Cuts which she never gets any credit at all for) and then she just up and quit. One caveat: Sustainability of premise may be a big problem given that "end goal" plot. A-/B+
RINGER
By now you've surely heard about the instantly famous Super Cheapo production values (that boat scene!) and though Sarah Michelle Gellar has proven her show-carrying abilities over and over again one wonders why she couldn't return in a more worthy vehicle... perhaps an expensive one? The color by numbers character details of the sisters (rich-bitch Siobhan / recovering addict Bridget) and regular flashbacks to underline emotional backstory don't exactly encourage her best instincts as an actor and though the premise and a few of the plot turns are as good as any soapy thrillers could hope to be, it's not really working. A Distraction: everytime we flash back to petulant pouty drunk Bridget I am transported back to Buffy the Vampire Slayer's infamous "Beer Bad" episode... I fully admit this is my problem and not the show's. C-
Did you watch any of these shows ??? Jump in.
*I would totally watch Charlie's Zombies... if someone really wants to shake this hoary franchise up.
Reader Comments (20)
I watched Revenge after reading the article you mentioned. I was really surprised to see Philip Noyce listed as the director and co-producer. I've loved lots of his work, like the adaptation of Graham Greene's novel, The Quiet American. And didn't he do Dead Calm? That all bodes well for this show maintaining the suspense as well as developing character.
Really liked Maria Bello on Prime Suspect, but I thought all the sexism stuff was pretty badly handled and cartoony. Except for her boyfriend (an actor I want to screw) and dad, I really didn't like any of the other characters or think they were well designed. I'd prefer them to sweep it clean and try a new ensemble. It's a different toned show, but I thought The Closer did a much better job of setting up antagonism within a group of law enforcement officers and a femals superior than this did. I know this is an inherent part of the original Prime Suspect, but sexism in 2011 just isn't the same as sexism in 1991. It needs to be written less blatantly.
Watched Prime Suspect, Ringer, and Revenge. Agree with the poster above about the heavy handed sexism angle not playing well and I didn't find anybody remotely likeable(sometimes, not always a problem). Bello was great though, so I'll give it a couple more episodes, but I'm already not looking forward to episode two, bad sign. Ringer is a mess. Still intrigued enough to keep it on my DVR. I can't understand why it feels so cheap.
LOVED Revenge! I read somewhere that they'll be circling back to the beach scene by mid season and this season's plot line will for the most part be wrapped up it's end. Apparently, their long term plan stems from the concept of revenge being cyclical and other characters getting their own revenge in some way. I'm not explaining it well, but at least they have some sort of plan.
I've seen all of those except A Gifted Man (Fridays + Aversion to CBC = I missed it). Although my grades for both differ, you're spot on about Charlie's Angels (I gave it a D) and mostly right about Prime Suspect (I gave it a B+). My biggest gripe with Suspects is that the male cop's negative feelings towards Bello's character almost feels cartoonish at times (moreso at the beginning than anything).
I give Ringer a C- also but I'm not a huge fan of Gellar and feel she's woefully mis-casted (not that the writing of the show helps). As for Revenge, I like you worry how they're gonna keep the premise going. Unlike you, however, I found it mildly entertaining. I'll certainly keep watching but it didn't wow me.
ADDED NOTE: I have to admit that the Charlie's Angels concept is something I may never like. I've never had the desire to see the original show, I thought the first film was useless and I never bothered with the second. Still, the writing for this new one was so on-the-nose and cliche that it wouldn't work with any concept. Also, don't feel bad for Minka Kelly because Charlie's Angels is definitely not the worst thing she did this year (see The Roommate... or don't, actually).
Wow, surprised about the very positive Prime Suspect reaction after the mixed reviews...
Did you know that Julianne Moore was the first to be offered the leading part?
cinephile -- i did not know that. huh. interesting. i also wasn't aware that it had received mixed reviews (i don't really follow television reviews except for those from friend who are tv critics like joe reid and mark)
everyone -- interesting that i'm the most impressed of anyone about prime suspect. i'll find out soon enough how the sexism angle plays out week to week -- and i'll admit it wasn't at all sublte (though i think Brian F O Byrne and Bello were both fab at working the many angles of all of that) -- but i was just very impressed with the pilot. If the investigations take over too much i'll probably grow bored but for now it looks like my favorite new show of the season.
"Prime Suspect" was okay. Bello was excellent, but I have to agree with RJ that the sexism stuff was way heavy-handed. From what I've read in interviews with the showrunner, though, that aspect of the show is going to be dropped almost immediately. So that's a little weird. Overcorrect much?
I couldn't even get halfway through "A Gifted Man." The reviews said that Jonathan Demme managed to cut through the show's treacle, but I totally disagree. Still way too "Touched by an Angel"-y for my tastes.
"Revenge" and "Ringer" are both entertaining, but the former in a good way and the latter in a bad way. It's funny that they're both on the air at the same time. They are the perfect examples of how a soap can be done right and how it can be done wrong.
Keeping my fingers crossed for "Pan Am" tonight, but I think the new sitcoms have been better than any of the dramas so far. I enjoyed "New Girl," "Up All Night" and "2 Broke Girls" (although the second and third ones have some tonal issues they need to fix), and I'm looking forward to "Suburgatory." Here's hoping they don't just fall back on the ridiculously tired "ZOMG, the suburbs are shallow!" trope.
Revenge: For this to work in beyond a season, they're going to have to do a "different cast every season" format. Otherwise, the second season and beyond are going to get boring.
Absolutely loved the british series and I really like Bello so I'll give it a try!
PS Minka Kelly is beyond beautiful.
Ringer: C But I will continue to watch it. The story arc with the rebellious daughter and her drug problem looks interesting enough and SMG is always stunning to look at.
The Secret Circle: D The effects were great but acting feels forced by at least half the main cast. The whole Twilight - Eternal love - fate theme is all over the place and I'm over it.
Person of Interest: F So bad that you could find it good, but I didnt. I was looking forward to see Michael Emerson in another show but why -oh- why did they write his role *exactly* like in "Lost". This show holds the record for fastest transformation from bum to super-agent.
Revenge: B+ Definitely a great pilot but I am not sure how the story can move forward with the same pace. But I hope they will explore her past as bad girl in detail. Great potential!
On my list: Prime Suspect, The Playboy Club.
My recommendation for everybody: The Shadow Line (A-)
police-corruption-crime-drama with a stellar cast and it is more like a mini-series. After 7 episodes you are just stunned and you cant believe what you saw.
Well, I can consider myself a TV addict as well so obviously I've seen all the pilots so far.
RINGER (C-): Low production value, Sarah Michelle Gellar miscast, poor Ioan Gruffudd and Nestor Carbonell (what caricatures) and terrible writing. I hope SMG pulls the plug on this one or else it's going to be embarrassing to see CW cancel it.
REVENGE (B): All hail queen Madeleine Stowe. Seriously, pure small screen diva/bitchery on primetime network TV? Awesome. Can we have a diva-off between her and Pam? Better yet, can we pretend it's Pam from True Blood and not Emily VanCamp (love her but her character is too much for her to handle) that is seeking revenge? This said, the pilot pulls it off beautifully, but it will be a one/two season wonder, I think. It will become repetitive fast.
PRIME SUSPECT (B-): Maria Bello doesn't let this descend to 'The Closer'-level of mediocrity but I don't think this series has a lot going for it. It'll probably stay on air as long as Bello wants to. But it will become boring VERY FAST.
And Nathaniel there's no way Mariska Hargitay won't win the Emmy next year as it is her farewell year on L&O:SVU and as you can see she got nominated AGAIN this year for doing nothing in her episode. So... They REALLY want to give her another Emmy. It's stupid but it's true; while Jon Hamm, Elizabeth Moss, Steve Carell, Michael C. Hall, Peter Krause and Lauren Graham, among many others, go Emmy-less, there are the Tony Shalhoubs and Mariska Hargitays of this world that are over-rewarded.
PERSON OF INTEREST (C+): THIS came from JJ Abrams and Jonathan Nolan? Well, I'm glad both do movies. Seriously. JJ Abrams needs to rethink his TV concept because 'Undercovers' was terrible last year and Jim Caviezel, albeit talented, isn't due for a star turn performance like Garner is 'Alias' for example. And this is not 'Lost'. Plus: WHY did Michael Emerson agreed to do this?
NEW GIRL (B): Zooey Deschanel is infectious. The series will improve of course - and one of the worst parts is already gone, Damon Wayans Jr.'s character - but Zooey won me over from the first seconds. Contagious for every Zooey fan out there.
2 BROKE GIRLS (B-): Many jokes worked and being a sitcom in CBS we can expect a lot of success (it got off to impressive numbers already). Love the end credits with the money they've raised already (a cool device) and I think Behrs and Dennings' chemistry works quite well. On the other side, it's bound to get repetitive since after they make 250.000 dollars, what's there left to do? They won't be broke then, won't they?
CHARLIE'S ANGELS (F): If I could, I'd give it a Z. Reason: everything you said + Minka Kelly being wasted like that. MINKA KELLY IS AWESOME, DREW BARRYMORE. Don't ruin her for me. What makes me happy about this is COUGAR TOWN will be back sooner than we thought.
THE SECRET CIRCLE (C-): It's a CW show and of course it'll be a perfect companion to the enormously successful 'Vampire Diaries'. And it'll be of course beloved to the exhaustion by the 'Vampire Diaries'/'Twilight'/'Pretty Little Liars' fanbase.
UP ALL NIGHT (B): Maya Rudolph. Will Arnett. Christina Applegate. The pilot changes made it worse but I guess for the long run Rudolph's character job change will work better. How on Earth did NBC get three of the most awesome people together to make this show is beyond me. DON'T WASTE IT.
FREE AGENTS (C-): I love Hank Azaria but no. Corporate relationships and work sex have been done a zillion times. And that kind of woman with a huge loss in her heart sees divorced colleague under a different light reeks of cliché. I'd say this is the first show of the new season to go, if not for...
THE PLAYBOY CLUB (D): Fails at everything that 'Mad Men' does best which is, of course, its problem since it's a terrible, terrible copy. Elizabeth Moss kicks Amber Heard in the ass and of course Don Draper would pulverize Eddie Cibrian just by staring if needed.
UNFORGETTABLE (B-): But my heart can't stand ANOTHER CBS crime procedural.
WHITNEY (D): Left all her humour on Chelsea Lately and sprinkled the remainings on '2 Broke Girls'. So unfunny. NBC is betting big on this one so I guess changes will come.
A GIFTED MAN (C+): I need more episodes to decide (like with 'Person of Interest'). However, they'd better juice up Margo Martindale's role after that Emmy win.
This said, I'll continue to watch 'Revenge', '2 Broke Girls' (because I believe a 'The Big Bang Theory' trajectory is in its cards) and 'Up All Night' with no reservations.
I'll need more episodes to decide on 'Person of Interest' and 'A Gifted Man'. 'Ringer' has worn me out, that 2nd episode was even more terrible.
Can't wait for: 'Once Upon A Time', 'American Horror Story', 'Terra Nova', 'Apartment 23', 'Suborgatory' (all had brilliant reviews + 'Horror Story' has Britton and I've read somewhere that this part was everything she wanted after Tami Taylor) and of course 'SMASH'.
And I'm kinda hoping 'Good Christian Belles' won't be the replacement for 'Charlie's Angels'. I'd rather ABC launched 'Cougar Town'/'Apartment 23' in that timeslot sooner than November sweeps. But knowing ABC and their Shonda Rhimes' love it's Kerry Washington that will occupy that slot with 'Scandal'.
Jorge,
I would love to have "Cougar Town" back and to see "Apt. 23," but I think they would die on Thursdays at 8. They'll be going up again two other sets of sitcoms (although NBC's sitcoms are a niche of a niche of a niche), plus neither really seem like 8 o'clock shows. Like you, I'd bank on "Scandal" going there.
I know the ABC people claimed they would be going on Tuesdays at 9 in between seasons of "Dancing with the Stars," but now that "New Girl" might have a foothold there, I'd be surprised to see that happen. Really, I have no idea where those two shows are going to go.
Hmm you're probably right Liz.
WHY did they have to stick with 'Happy Endings' (and I like the show)?
I haven't been impressed with any of the new shows I have seen:
1) A Gifted Man - great actors but the premiere was just meh. With so much talent I was expecting more. The ghost was also annoyingly self righteous.
2) Person of interest - just bad. How did this get such positive reviews?
3) Two broke girls - I might watch just for the great Kat Dennings.
I think the most promising show might be Homeland.
Just finished watching Pan Am. It's no Mad Men, but it's interesting. It's way more upbeat for one, but it still puts you right in the era and it does some interesting things with its characters. Christina Ricci was barely in it unfortunately (I'm sure she'll have a larger role in the future) so we'll have to see what they do with her. To me the standout so far is Kelli Garner. I'm not sure I'll be hanging around this one, but we'll see. It's an ABC show, and you can tell by all the bright colors and the more upbeat storytelling and design, but that can be a good thing. I think people might enjoy this one. I also really like Two Broke Girls, and thought The New Girl was cute. I might try a few more pilots soon (depending on my schedule, as I keep up with so many shows).
"Ringer"! It is SUCH a soap opera and I kinda love it.
I agree with everyone else: Revenge was fantastic. Set out exactly what the series was going to be like whilst managing to have fun amidst all the exposition. It's something The Secret Circle (a pilot that was almost too efficient in its basic set-up) could have learnt from. Ringer...I'll keep watching for SMG, but the show doesn't seem to allow for any humour, which she's so adept at, and which will probably see the show get cancelled in the near future.
The Playboy Club was excruciatingly flat, and its suggestion that the bunnies were "liberated," with that voice-over from Hugh Hefner? Eurgh. A Gifted Man had some prime acting moments, and I adore both Wilson and Ehle, but I've no idea what this show is going to be like from week to week. The big surprise for me was New Girl, which isn't nearly as dreadful as it could be and was surprisingly charming, I thought. Mostly, I'm just pleased to have some of my favourite shows returning after strong seasons last year - Fringe, The Good Wife and Community, in particular.
The network show that you should be reviewing is "The Good Wife." It's light years above any drama the networks are spitting out right now, and it makes "Prime Suspect" look like the nonsense that it really is. I was embarrassed for Maria Bello in this, and normally I like her. She and the show don't hold a candle to Helen Mirren and the originals.
And there's "Homeland" that's starting next week. I've already seen the pilot, and it's amazing. Claire Danes! Watch out for her at next year's Emmys.
Voted best vacation read of the summer 2011
Cruise by Alex Stofa
When retired airline pilot Mac Knight and counselor Lynn Baker plan their three month summer cruise to the Bahamas, Both Lynn's and Mac's past bring a new dimension into their plans and into their cruise.
Their passion keeps their romance together.
But is their passion enough as Mac succumbs to keeping his past alive and as Lynn tries to avoid the advances of her past love?
http://www.wix.com/alexsofacruise/cruise