Deception brings NBC into the soapy drama game

Grade: 85%

NBC's Deception is the network's foray into the genre of soapy drama. This is usually ABC's territory, as evidenced by Scandal and Desperate Housewives. Considering the field has plenty of this type of series already, with versions spreading throughout the cable landscape, can NBC provide something fresh and original enough to set itself apart?

Yes, and no. Deception benefits from the best cast assembled in awhile for such an effort. It also takes itself more seriously than the average prime-time soap, avoiding the cartoonish and over the top elements of its peers. It's an intricate murder mystery steeped in character history, meaning we get flashbacks. It feels like Revenge with a dash of Veronica Mars, so it's not wholly original.

As the "Pilot" begins, Joanna Locasto (Meagan Good, Californication, Think Like A Man) learns her childhood best friend, Vivian Bowers (Bree Wiliamson, One Life to Live), whom she knew because Joanna's mother was Vivian's family's maid, is dead. It looks like a drug overdose, which would be within Vivian's character, but the feds and police suspect murder. Most of their suspects are members of Vivian's own family, so they send Joanna in, undercover, to figure out what is going on.

While there will surely be plenty of plot twists coming up, the one who looks least guilty right now is Vivian's father, Robert (Victor Garber, Eli Stone, Alias, Web Therapy). Robert is warm and welcoming to Joanna, buying her cover story, and inviting her into their home. While Robert is involved in a pharmaceutical company that could have a drug connected to the motive, he doesn't seem the type.

Less sure is Vivian's brother, Julian (Wes Brown, True Blood, Hart of Dixie). Not only is Julian involved in the business, too, but he also has a thing for Joanna, who returns the feelings. This means that her vision may not be clear around him, as evidenced by her shutting off her wire while they cuddle on the dock, throwing her professionalism out the window. Which begs the question, even if Joanna has an in, is she the right woman for the job?

Then there's Edward (Tate Donovan, Damages), who doesn't want Joanna around, but is too grumpy and obvious to be the killer. He is having marital problems with his wife, Samantha (Marin Hinkle, Once and Again), but we don't yet know what's involved. They will probably be the initial focus of the investigation, and then, if the series is predictable, Joanna's allies.

The wild card lies in Robert's second wife, Sofia (Katherine LaNasa, The Campaign). At first, she seems a nasty piece of work who doesn't get along with Julian, Edward, and Vivian. But then we learn that the daughter thought to be hers and Robert's, Mia (Ella Rae Peck, Gossip Girl), is actually Vivian's child, so Sofia can't be all bad.

Of course, we have to have even more twists thrown in, so Joanna's ex, Will Moreno (Laz Alonso, Avatar), is the one who brings her in on the mission, and he still harbors feelings for her. And the first person to blow Joanna's cover, a reporter named Remy (Christopher Denham, Argo), is killed by two men in a black car. Also, Vivian is pregnant a second time when she dies.

There is a great set up here for the era of class warfare, with the dysfunctional, rich family, and a tangled web of clues. The actors sell their roles. But it also has too many familiar elements, which could hurt Deception if it doesn't come up with something new to toss in. And how long will it take the Bowers family to figure out what Joanna is up to? Too long, and they seem dumb, unworthy of an elaborate killing scheme. Too short, and it kills the momentum of the investigation.

Basically, the jury is still out on Deception, and if it will be a weekly viewing appointment. So, to find out, tune in Mondays at 10 p.m. ET on NBC.

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Article first posted on TheTVKing