Two new dramas finally fill the black hole time slot up against “ER” on Thursday Nights: Life on Mars (ABC) and Eleventh Hour (CBS), both following the upward trend of stealing shows and actors from across the pond.
Life on Mars - B+
The eagerly awaited Life on Mars –a remake of the British show of the same name, which wrapped up only last year—follows detective Sam Tyler (Jason O’Mara) on a time-trip to 1973. In the middle of a murder investigation that ends in his girlfriend/fellow detective Maya (a grown-up Denise Huxtable, aka Lisa Bonet) missing, Sam is hit by a car and wakes up 35 years in the past and the owner of a new wardrobe and a David Bowie 8-track.
Times sure are different in 1973— no computers, no cell phones, polyester, moustaches, and female cops who are relegated to nurse duty. He attempts to solve his cases with 2008 logic while following the rules of 1973 and battling his superior Lt.Gene Hunt (the marvelous Harvey Keitel) and Det. Ray Carling (The Sopranos' Michael Imperioli)
Used to the male-female equality of the 21st century, Sam confides in Annie Norris (Gretchen Mol), the only woman in the precinct, and tries to use the intelligence she keeps hidden from her coworkers to solve cases – and the mystery of why he’s in 1973. Is he in a coma? A dream state? Crazy? A time-traveler? (Lord, I miss Journeyman!)
I’ve never seen the British Life on Mars, but for that I’m glad – I wouldn’t want to spoil any of the twists I’m sure are to come. I want to enjoy the ride with this one, although I don’t know how our talented American writers are going to keep Sam in ’73 for 22 episodes, when the original came to a conclusion after just 16.
Eleventh Hour - C
Fringe meets CSI in this new procedural from CBS – as if we didn’t have enough. Eleventh Hour is adapted from a British miniseries featuring Patrick Stewart as Dr. Jacob Hood, a biophysicist working for the FBI. The new installment is produced by Jerry Bruckheimer –what isn’t these days?—and stars British actor Rufus Sewell and his creepy eyes as the quirky doc. Hood and his FBI handler Rachel (Marley Shelton), a petite blonde with a sarcastic streak, investigate weird happenings across the U.S. — first, a cloning experiment in Seattle, then a case of 11 year old boys having heart attacks in the deep south.
The premise is a little bit more fantastic than your average procedural, but not as unpleasant as much of today’s science fiction, but fails to succeed at either one. Eleventh Hour may be a happy medium for viewers who want the strange but not the unbelievable, but its wavering nature only comes off as hesitation and self-doubt.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Dexter Highs and Lows
WARNING: Spoilers Ahead
After watching the first two episodes of Dexter’s season three, I'm worried that the shock-factor of the first two seasons has been left behind. I’m finding their latest story moving along much more slowly than even the very first episode, which was a "set up" episode designed to introduce us to show. Despite the pace, I’m intrigued to see where this story will go. Is Miguel evil? Will he discover Dexter's secret? Will Dexter have to kill him?
So far, season three is focusing less on Dexter the Serial Killer and more on Dexter the Family Man. The original premise seems to be getting lost as the writers try to cope with Dexter's concience: it’s no longer about whether Dexter will be able to lead a double life, but which life he will ultimately choose. With Rita’s pregnancy the forefront of the story (a blatant plot device – Dexter’s inner journey could have taken much more creative venues) the show is becoming almost the opposite of what is was before – Dexter getting away with being a serial killer. Now he can barely get away from his social life.
Dexter may be following his own rules now, but he can’t have it both ways; he’s getting spontaneous, emotional, sloppy. He’s no longer the precise, deliberate Dexter from season one, and not the hunted, driven Dexter from season 2. He’s Dexter Lite, a whiny, indecisive Dexter that I’m not sure I like.
What I’d like to see more of this season:
• Masuka’s crazy ways
• Angel really becoming a leader
• Debra continuing to grow as a cop and a person
• Quinn. Enough said.
What I’d like to see less of:
• Maria pining after Miguel. That woman sure needs a lot of attention.
• Dexter and Rita’s not-so-subtle interactions
• Rita trying to be a sexpot soccer mom
• Dexter’s random daydreams
• Jimmy Smits’ bad fake Hispanic accent
Former Dexter Cast Member Heads up CW Show
In other Dexter news, Jaime Murray, who played the tempestuous Lila in season 2, now heads up the cast on Valentine, a cute show on the CW about the Greek Gods living among us and bringing soul mates together. It reminded me a little of Charmed, with the magical family helping those in need. The Gods are updated, living as an LA family, and “Cupid” carrying a gun instead of a bow and arrow.
It’s hard for me to picture Lila as a matriarch, but Murray is quite surprising and likeable in the role. And much better styled. The show also stars familiar faces Christine Lakin (from Step By Step), Autumn Reaser (the OC), and Patrick Fabian (Veronica Mars). All in all, it’s a fun little guilty pleasure for a lonely Sunday evening.
After watching the first two episodes of Dexter’s season three, I'm worried that the shock-factor of the first two seasons has been left behind. I’m finding their latest story moving along much more slowly than even the very first episode, which was a "set up" episode designed to introduce us to show. Despite the pace, I’m intrigued to see where this story will go. Is Miguel evil? Will he discover Dexter's secret? Will Dexter have to kill him?
So far, season three is focusing less on Dexter the Serial Killer and more on Dexter the Family Man. The original premise seems to be getting lost as the writers try to cope with Dexter's concience: it’s no longer about whether Dexter will be able to lead a double life, but which life he will ultimately choose. With Rita’s pregnancy the forefront of the story (a blatant plot device – Dexter’s inner journey could have taken much more creative venues) the show is becoming almost the opposite of what is was before – Dexter getting away with being a serial killer. Now he can barely get away from his social life.
Dexter may be following his own rules now, but he can’t have it both ways; he’s getting spontaneous, emotional, sloppy. He’s no longer the precise, deliberate Dexter from season one, and not the hunted, driven Dexter from season 2. He’s Dexter Lite, a whiny, indecisive Dexter that I’m not sure I like.
What I’d like to see more of this season:
• Masuka’s crazy ways
• Angel really becoming a leader
• Debra continuing to grow as a cop and a person
• Quinn. Enough said.
What I’d like to see less of:
• Maria pining after Miguel. That woman sure needs a lot of attention.
• Dexter and Rita’s not-so-subtle interactions
• Rita trying to be a sexpot soccer mom
• Dexter’s random daydreams
• Jimmy Smits’ bad fake Hispanic accent
Former Dexter Cast Member Heads up CW Show
In other Dexter news, Jaime Murray, who played the tempestuous Lila in season 2, now heads up the cast on Valentine, a cute show on the CW about the Greek Gods living among us and bringing soul mates together. It reminded me a little of Charmed, with the magical family helping those in need. The Gods are updated, living as an LA family, and “Cupid” carrying a gun instead of a bow and arrow.
It’s hard for me to picture Lila as a matriarch, but Murray is quite surprising and likeable in the role. And much better styled. The show also stars familiar faces Christine Lakin (from Step By Step), Autumn Reaser (the OC), and Patrick Fabian (Veronica Mars). All in all, it’s a fun little guilty pleasure for a lonely Sunday evening.
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