Be Gone, THE EXORCIST!

Article first published as THE EXORCIST Review on Seat42F.

FOX continues its trend of adapting films into television (Lethal Weapon premiered earlier this week) with THE EXORCIST. Based on the film and book of the same name, though with fresh characters, THE EXORCIST follows Fathers Tomas Ortega and Marcus Keane as they investigate evil in the home of the Rance family. Can they repel the demons and bring light back into the house? Or will they become victims of a dark power?

The two priests, presumably our heroes, are very different people. Father Tomas Ortega (Alfonso Herrera, Sense8, El Equipo) is young and earnest and eager to help, but may lack the skills to do so. He’s also haunted by nightmares that could mean his soul is in danger. On the other hand, Father Marcus Keane (Ben Daniels, Flesh and Bone, House of Cards) is gruff with lots of life experience that has made him to want to withdraw from others. Which is too bad, because he’s probably the one the Rances need to defeat the demon.

The Rances have been through quite a lot already as THE EXORCIST begins. The father, Henry (Alan Ruck, Spin City), was in an accident that has left him pretty mentally gone and unable to really care for himself very well. Daughters Katherine (Brianne Howey, Horrible Bosses 2) and Cassey (Hannah Kasulka, The Fosters) deal with this at varying levels, one acting out, one being more understanding. This leaves matriarch Angela (Geena Davis, Grey’s Anatomy, Commander in Chief) to try to hold them all together, which she is struggling to do.

The series is a bit scary, but not overly so; this is broadcast television, you know. The gore is kept to a bare minimum, and swearing is pretty much nonexistent. What’s left is a drama that goes for something more underlying creepy than knock-your-socks off scary (by necessity), while trying to build a serial story with deeper mythology. Thank goodness this isn’t a case of the week, with the priests casting out new monsters every episode.

To be honest, I’ve had a very hard time critiquing this pilot. I hate The Exorcist movie, really hate it, and have never been able to get all the way through it. I did not enjoy the show at all for many of the same reasons, and despite my best efforts, kept allowing myself to be distracted and tuning out. This particular brand of horror does not appeal to be in the slightest, and while other programs in the genre have stood out and won me over, this one doesn’t. This makes it far from easy to pinpoint specific details that are good or bad, having managed to somehow mentally block out most of the hour already, and having no desire to ever see it again.

The general impression that I got was that it was decently made, but confusing. It wasn’t gripping or artistic like Hannibal (which is a movie I hated turned into a TV series I love), or full of rich characters like Bates Motel (loved both the movie and the show; see, I have some horror cred). It did look fairly well put together, with beautiful sets and the appropriate tone and style. But there also wasn’t anything that stood out as overly impressive or unique. The cast is fine. I’m not sure the writing was all that cohesive, given my inability to really identify the arcs other than the main one of the demon possession and the story of Henry.

I do think whatever is going on with Henry must be related to the demon. It has to be, right? And I’m sure the demon is actually there, as skeptical as everyone around Angela is of its existence, since that’s the basis of the story. I also imagine that future seasons will have to deal with future families, as surely that plot can’t be stretched out any further than a year.

I’m sorry, that’s about all I can tell you. If you like the movie and want to see the show, THE EXORCIST airs Friday, September 23^rd on FOX.

FLESH AND BONE Goes Into Brilliant Drama

Article originally published as FLESH AND BONE Review on Seat42F.

A little over a year ago, I was about ready to give up on Starz, the original programming coming from that premium cable not being my cup of tea. Then came the excellent Outlander, and as of last night, it is joined by the equally fantastic, yet wholly different, FLESH AND BONE.

FLESH AND BONE tells the story of Claire (Sarah Hay, Black Swan), a scared, nervous, talented young ballerina that runs away to the big city and lands a plumb role with a professional company. Claire has a lot of personal and emotional issues going on, so this is probably not the ideal time for her to make such big changes. Yet, she’s clearly running from something and trying to find happiness, or at least purpose and peace. She has the type of rare ability and dedication that can help her to succeed in this competitive arena, and so she just might make it. But it won’t be easy.

The ballet world portrayed in FLESH AND BONE is anything but welcoming. The director, Paul (Ben Daniels, House of Cards), is demanding and erratic. He may also be brilliant, but Claire will have to survive working for him awhile to benefit from that. The company already has a lead dancer in Kiira (Irina Dvorovenko, Power), who isn’t likely to step aside for a new ingénue. Claire is placed in an apartment with Mia (Emily Tyra, Boardwalk Empire), a promiscuous, bitchy girl. And she is hit on by Ross (Sascha Radetsky, Center Stage), who wants more than just to be nice to her. In short, Claire is surrounded by those who might wear her down.

But she has some experience in dealing with hostile people. As we find out in the pilot, her brother, Bryan (Josh Helman, The Pacific), is creepy and probably abusive. So Claire can likely handle those who don’t touch her and are just mean.

Plus, it’s not like Claire doesn’t make any friends. Blunt, rich Daphne (Raychel Diane Weiner, Hickey) may seem abrasive, but she offers assistance to the newbie. And Romeo (Damon Herriman, Justified) may look like a homeless criminal, but he’s actually sweet. So Claire is slowly building a support system.

The main players in FLESH AND BONE, which, besides those listed above, also includes ambitious Trey (Karell Williams), have very small resumes. I managed to find an IMDB listing for each, except Williams, but in many cases, those credits number fewer than five. This is a group of mostly inexperienced unknowns.

Yet, that doesn’t detract from the show at all. If anything, it works in the production’s favor, feeling like the program is bursting with deserving, undiscovered talent. It helps that many have actual dancing backgrounds and possess the skills to back up their characters. It also helps that they deliver compelling, fresh performances. I have no complaints at all about this group.

The show itself feels a lot like Black Swan. It’s not as artistically offbeat, perhaps, but it’s a very specific tone and style that fits very well into this world, but is not repeated in most other shows. It is a specific product, like Mozat in the Jungle. I can’t tell if the budget is big or small, but it seems appropriate for FLESH AND BONE, with the settings, props, and costumes, perfectly suited to the story. Overall, it just exudes high quality, with great attention to detail and design.

I have to say, FLESH AND BONE is one of the best pilots I’ve watched in some time. It’s original, it’s gripping, it’s grounded, and I’m already completely hooked on the story and the characters. I will definitely be tuning in every week.

FLESH AND BONE airs Sundays at 8 p.m. on Starz.