Meet Your GIRLBOSS

Article first published as TV Review: GIRLBOSS on Seat42F.

Netflix’s latest series is GIRLBOSS. It’s the story of Sophia, a young woman who doesn’t yet know what she wants to do with her life, and so bounces between jobs and casually breaks the law while sleeping with drummers. You know, just a typical story. In the process, however, she sort of accidentally starts her own business and becomes a powerhouse entrepreneur worth millions. And it’s (very loosely) based on a true story.

Britt Robertson (Life Unexpected, Tomorrowland) stars as Sophia, and brings just the right mix of moxy and snark to the role. Sophia is not very likable when described outside of the story, and yet, there’s something magnetic about her. You may, as I did, find yourself rooting for her to succeed, even as she’s ripping people off and showing utter disrespect to those who don’t deserve it. She’s a rebel who refuses to play by established rules and cuts her own path, which is a much harder way to go through life and not always necessary (as it isn’t here), and yet could end up being more rewarding. I’ve long liked Robertson, but this may be my favorite role for her yet in its complexity, another well-deserved series lead.

Sadly, if you look into the person Sophia is supposed to be in real life, any success will be fleeting, as the company just getting started in this dramedy series, Nasty Girl, recently filed for bankruptcy.

Robertson is joined by an absolutely terrific cast that includes Dean Norris (Breaking Bad), Jim Rash (Community), RuPaul (RuPaul’s Drag Race), Louise Fletcher (One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest), Alphonso McAuley (Breaking In), Johnny Simmons (The Perks of Being a Wallflower), and Ellie Reed. Not all of these are well known, but all are good, mixing younger, fresher faces with experienced, lauded performers. Robertson sort of spans the two groups, talented without a lot of high-profile parts to date, so it works out very well.

The plot itself is pretty good, though after two episodes, I’m not sure it’s completely good enough for the actors. The story itself is relatively predictable and familiar. Coming on the heels of Girls, GIRLBOSS might lack the attention it would otherwise receive. Arrested development has been done before, and somewhat more edgy or raw than it is here. This is like a slightly sanitized version of the too-soon-gone How to Make it in America.

I’m not completely sold on the idea of this being a period piece. 2006 isn’t long enough ago to feel all that different, and aside from the clunky cell phones and a well-placed The Devil Wears Prada billboard, I can’t say it feels all that different from today. The fact that the characters go out of their way to make pop culture references, which do feel shoe-horned in, makes me wish they’d just set it in the present. I don’t know that anything is really added to the story by going backward.

And yet, the truly excellent performances raise the overall profile enough to totally hook viewers in and make you want to watch more. In peak TV, the show might not be good enough to stand out, but I doubt audiences that give it a chance won’t want to see it through. I know I’m full invested already to watch the series until cancellation, whenever than may be.

In all, I do recommend GIRLBOSS, but not unequivocally. This isn’t a show I would tell people they have to watch, but I did enjoy it and do plan to binge it myself. Take that as you will.

GIRLBOSS’s thirteen episode first season is available on Netflix today.

CBS "Heads" Back UNDER THE DOME

Article originally written for Seat42F.

CBS’s Stephen King series, UNDER THE DOME, returned last night with a season premiere penned by the horror master himself. “Heads Will Roll” picks up right where season one ended, with Barbie’s (Mike Vogel) head in a noose and the dome glowing with a bright, white light. From there, the episode introduces several new characters, says goodbye to a couple of main players, and forces Big Jim (Dean Norris) to take a long, hard look at himself. It’s a pretty solid hour.

Big Jim is the villain of the piece, of course, but it seems like “Heads Will Roll” sets him on the road to redemption. As a magnetic force renders most of the citizens unconscious, Jim is plagued by hallucinations of Dodee (Jolene Purdy), whom he killed, and Linda (Natalie Martinez), the first casualty of the premiere. It’s like his own version of A Christmas Carol, and confronted with his failings, Big Jim decides he should end himself, which he almost goes through with until Julia (Rachelle Lefevre) stops him.

Can Big Jim eventually be one of the good guys? The dynamics of UNDER THE DOME are often flimsy, changing on a whim. After all, how many times has Angie (Britt Robertson) seemingly forgiven Junior (Alexander Koch) after he kidnaps her? However, the situation is tense and stress levels are high, which does make it easier to overlook misdeeds. Big Jim has made quite a few blunders in the eyes of our heroes, but most of the townsfolk don’t hate him, so if he works to be the leader they want, which he seems serious about when he gives now-homeless Norrie (Mackenzie Lintz) and Carolyn (Aisha Hinds) a key to his house, we could end up liking him.

With arcs like this, UNDER THE DOME strives to be a serious character piece, meaty drama with layered players. The problem is, it’s just not. It takes shortcuts and allows inconsistencies that hurt the overall impression. For instance, moments before Julia saves Big Jim, she’s ready and willing to be the tool that kills him. How can she shift so suddenly? The writers definitely seemed more concerned with the actions of those on screen than the motivations behind them. And even the actions, such as the dome magnetically pulling metal to it, aren’t the most consistently thought out, with items flying willy-nilly, rather than in a logical pattern, making it more dangerous, but less believable.

Which is not to say UNDER THE DOME is a bad show. I find it quite enjoyable, and there are some genuine surprises, such as Linda being squashed and Angie getting hacked to pieces. I am curious as to what is going on, and I’m engaged with who might die next. It’s just more in the genre of summer popcorn than serious drama.

The deaths do seem a bit arbitrary, which makes it hard to predict who might go next. Angie is one of the four kids who communication with the dome, so she doesn’t seem expendable, but’s she taken out, nonetheless. Plus, she runs the diner after the owner is previously killed, so that leaves a crucial gap in the town. Linda is the last real law enforcement officer left, again, making her seem safe, but she’s replaced by Phil (Nicholas Strong) by the end of the episode, Big Jim’s lackey, for now. The show does not worry about preserving a structure, and is willing to create more conflict by removing those that don’t seem replaceable, bold moves.

To help keep the population up, we are introduced to Sam Verdreaux (Eddie Cahill, CSI: NY), who initially makes a pretty boring corner of a love triangle with Julie and Barbie, but gets more interesting when we learn he’s Junior’s uncle and acts shifty. There’s also Rebecca Pine (Karla Crome), a science teacher, who might finally give us insight on the (uneven) mechanics of the dome, and Melanie Cross (Grace Victoria Cox), a crazy girl. This new blood should keep the story humming along nicely.

More interesting is the reveal of Junior’s mother, Pauline (Sherry Stringfield), outside of the dome. We haven’t really seen how the rest of the world is reacting to the events in Chester’s Mill, and she not only potentially provides a window to the larger universe, but also has strange connections to the dome itself. I, like many viewers, had assumed she was dead. To learn she’s elsewhere only deepens the mystery.

Overall, “Heads Will Roll” is one of the better installments of UNDER THE DOME, with everything from action to self-reflection, to a cameo by King himself. Season two is off to a good start.

UNDER THE DOME airs Mondays at 10 p.m. ET on CBS.

CBS Going UNDER THE DOME

Article first published as UNDER THE DOME Review on Seat42F.

Grade: 86%

CBS, perhaps in an attempt to combat the lame, reality and re-run heavy summer fare on the basic networks, has a new offering premiering this week. Titled UNDER THE DOME, this thirteen episode series, based on the Stephen King novel of the same name, follows the residents of Chester’s Mill Maine when a transparent, sound-proof, impenetrable dome suddenly crashes down over their town.

UNDER THE DOME feels a lot like other summer programs in the past that haven’t lasted, such as the one where a handful of people were trapped in a town and were watched on cameras, or other Stephen King TV dramatizations, or even a little bit like cult-favorite Jericho. It has the sort-of post-apocalyptic, yet still small-scale and personal, feeling of a drama about people on the edge.

The cast, whom we are mostly introduced to in the first eight minutes, before the dome appears, are a broad spectrum of individuals, almost as if there was a checklist that had to be satisfied when putting together the ensemble. None of them are particularly original characters, even though there are some very good actors playing them, as they are without exception archetypes that have been seen on a variety of other shows.

Among those featured are: Barbie (Mike Vogel, Bates Motel, Pan Am), an ex-Army officer who comes to town and kills someone, then is trapped before he can escape; Big Jim (Dean Norris, Breaking Bad), the crooked councilman who wants to use the disaster to manipulate the town into his own personal kingdom; Angie (Britt Robertson, Life Unexpected), a waitress who dates a too-clingy boy; Junior (Alexander Koch), Big Jim’s mentally unbalanced son who has designs on Angie; Julia (Rachelle Lefevre, What About Brian), a journalist with a missing husband; Dodee (Jolene Purdy, Gigantic), a mouthy radio engineer; Duke (Jeff Fahey, Lost), the ineffective patsy cop; and Linda (Natalia Martinez, Detroit 1-8-7), a deputy whose fireman boyfriend is outside the dome.

Believe it or not, that is not a complete roster of the characters featured in the “Pilot.” UNDER THE DOME presents a sprawling cast with few connections between one another thus far, but surely more will be revealed as things unfold, as we’ve been taught it common for small towns. Unlike a series like Lost, these people aren’t banding together, but instead following their own motivations and activities.

As such, there isn’t a clear, cohesive story in episode one. Everyone has their own implications of the occurrence to deal with, and as no one even really knows what’s going on yet, there has been no concentrated effort to solve the mystery or find a way out of the disaster. A couple people have sort of started down that road, but have barely begun to investigate.

Which isn’t to say there aren’t some intriguing set-ups. A couple of theories are put forth, at least one character reveals to viewers that he actually does know what is happening, one on the roster above is dead by the end of the first hour, there are some clues that indicate a larger conspiracy, strange seizures appear other-worldly, and various family connections pop when one is not expecting.

There are also a few missteps in UNDER THE DOME. I feel like the dome actually coming down is unnecessarily brutal. A cow is split in half and slides down the wall, leaving a bloody streak. A plane smashes into the dome, and among the debris raining down is a severed limb. A truck rams the barrier and becomes almost as flat as a pancake. None of these are executed in impressive fashion, given the low special effects budget and broadcast network restrictions, so they aren’t particularly amazing. Instead, they come off as cheap gags designed to entice the viewer, but failing to do so because of their cheesy execution. It would be better if we got more dialogue scenes and less of these “shockers.”

If the focus stays on the characters, rather than gross gimmicks, UNDER THE DOME should provide satisfying summer entertainment, probably the best of the Big Four networks’ programming. There is some real talent present that can be better utilized than we’ve seen so far. But it’s not regular season-quality, and it does feel like an amateur effort compared to other projects. King may be able to write fantastic novels, but they seldom translate into groundbreaking shows or movies, and this one is not on the level of The Shining or the few other notable exceptions to that rule.

UNDER THE DOME premieres Monday, June 24th at 10 p.m. ET on CBS.

"Wake" The Secret Circle

     The CW's The Secret Circle meets its newest member this week in "Wake." The town mourns the death of Nick (Louis Hunter), especially Melissa (Jessica Parker Kennedy), who is in love with him. Nick's older brother Jake (Chris Zylka, 10 Things I Hate About You) arrives, and Faye (Phoebe Tonkin), whose heart Jake broke, and Adam (Thomas Dekker), whose family Jake stole from, are not happy to see him. But Cassie (Britt Robertson) sure is when an evil witch hunter shows up, and Jake saves her. The circle knows that Jake can take Nick's place in their group, but they are unaware that he has come to town for a darker reason.

      It's a bold move for a freshman series to kill off a central member of the cast in episode five, completely unexpected, even if he is quickly replaced. This alone buys The Secret Circle some respect. Too bad the actor coming in to replace the offed one seems stiff, more a pretty face than a good addition, acting-wise. Looks can be deceiving, and Jake has a fine story set up, having to choose between his destiny and the witch hunters he is working for. It will remain to be seen if Zylka is up to the challenge.

      Jake's arrival serves an important purpose in that it will remind Cassie, who is already beginning to act like a leader, that she doesn't know everything. The other characters have history in the town, and much happens prior to Cassie's arrival that they have trouble forgiving and forgetting. Even Jane (Ashley Crow) isn't all that happy to see Jake. Cassie is exuding the confidence that she's well-informed enough to make major decisions, but without being clued in on a lot of back story, she is in the dark more than the others, and more than she seems aware of being. Cassie doesn't realize this in "Wake," but her quick ability to trust Jake, whom the others are wary of, and whom they have good reason to be so, will likely come back to bite her.

     But will Jake ultimately prove to be an enemy? Despite Faye and Adam's reservations, it's clear that Jake is already growing a bit fond of Cassie. He comes to town with a purpose, but after seeing everyone, including his new neighbor, it may be that his purpose will change. After all, he kills the woman that attacks Cassie. This isn't presented as an accident, and while it may help him maintain cover, that probably isn't all that it does. How soon before Jake lets the others in on the threat that they face? The quicker, the better, as there is a whole group of baddies lurking nearby, led by Isaac (JR Bourne, Teen Wolf).

     Given that The Secret Circle is a CW series, Jake's presence in and after "Wake" will also serve to shake up the romantic chemistry, as that is as much a focus of shows on the network as the action plots. Obviously, Faye still harbors something for Jake, even if it has turned to hate. Also, as mentioned before, Jake is taking a shine to Cassie. This complicates matters, in that Diana (Shelley Hennig) breaks up with Adam so that he can fulfill his destiny and be with Cassie. So all of a sudden, the central character will have two guys who want to be with her, and are available to do so.

     The whole "destiny" thing between Cassie and Adam is weird. It's odd that Diana steps aside so readily, when Adam stays loyal, despite simmering feelings. Perhaps she is trying to be noble, but that isn't how it comes across. Also, considering that Adam's father, Ethan (Adam Harrington), harbors similar feelings for Cassie's departed mother, how is that right? Cassie and Adam would be siblings if the older pair worked out! Or is the blood fate just transferred to the next generation if the previous one doesn't fulfill it? How does one determine which generation the fate is supposed to happen in? Do different age groups have different attractions to different families? If this continues among the circle, wouldn't this lead to much inbreeding? After all, it's only six families involved. Luckily, they all seem to always have kids about the same age. How has this chain not been broken over time?

     It's great that The Secret Circle brings Cassie's grandma, Jane, in on the main action so soon, instead of leaving her in the dark for years, as so many similar series would do, and have done before. Jane is a great asset to the group, providing wisdom and power far beyond what the kids can muster at this time. Even though she doesn't have a circle to back her up, at least not one that seems to be around, she is a valuable asset. But she's also a protection for them, so it wouldn't be surprising if she doesn't live past the first season or two. They need to stand on their own, and can't always have grandma fighting their battles for them.

     What's the deal with the crystals? Apparently, they allow a witch to have power individually, instead of needing another member of their circle to be with them. Who created them, and how do they work? It's a convenience that pops up without a lot of explanation. So if each family has one, and Jake likely is holding onto his, given his knowledge of his power and how to use it, as well as the fact that he's been alone, where are the others? When the elders break up the previous circle, they must have confiscated some of them. Whose does Dawn (Natasha Henstridge) possess? Where did she get it? Does it need a circle to recharge, and that's why hers runs down? Lots of questions about this, that hopefully will get answered instead of glossed over.

     Does Dawn really have Jane fooled? Jane is pretty darn wise, and Dawn has been acting suspiciously, a fact that has not gone unnoticed. Dawn's plans to use the kids to get her own power back sort of her make her a villain, even if she does do things to protect them. Dawn's alliance with Jane is barely that, as the two women don't have any particularly warm connection with each other, and it's doubtful there is much trust between them. Jane may feel like she has no one else to ask for help, since the magic needs to stay a secret as much as possible. But Dawn won't be much help in any regard, unless their priorities happen to align in that moment. Or maybe she is just testing Dawn to see how Dawn reacts when she brings up the kids' magic.

     Nick's death affects the kids in different ways, but it really does a number on Charles (Gale Harold). Having to live with the guilt of murdering a teenager, even if it is done to kill a demon dwelling inside, haunts Charles. Unlike Dawn, who is able to bounce back just fine, keeping her focus on their mission, whatever it may be, Charles seems distant and out of it. He did not sign up for hurting anyone, especially not someone in town, and so young. Taking out Nick, no matter how good the reason, changes the way he thinks about the magic. He is probably a lot less likely to pursue getting his powers back now that he remembers what those powers can cost, a fact forgotten over the years since the last disaster. Jane may want to start looking for a new sidekick.


     The Secret Circle is just getting started. Watch it Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET on the CW.

     If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter!

     To buy books and streaming episodes of The Secret Circle, please click here.

Article first published as TV Review: The Secret Circle - "Wake" on Blogcritics.

The Secret Circle - "Pilot"

     The CW presents The Secret Circle, a new drama about witches from some of the same creative force behind hit The Vampire Diaries. The story follows Cassie Blake (Britt Robertson, Swingtown), who is forced to move in with her grandmother, Jane (Ashley Crow, Heroes, who doesn't really look old enough to play a grandma) after the untimely death of her mother (Emily Holmes). Almost as soon as Cassie gets to town, she is inundated with strange happenings. Five other local teenagers tell Cassie she is a watch, and together, they can form a circle. Just like their parents did so many years ago. But unlike their parents, whom one of each died during a magical accident years ago, these kids are sure they have a handle on things. Cassie isn't so certain. It is clear, though, that Cassie's presence makes each kid far more powerful than they were before.

     Life Unexpected, The Secret Circle is not. They both air(ed) on the CW, and both star Britt Robertson, but the similarities end there. This new series is about magic and murder, not finding family happiness. Cassie settles right on in with her grandmother, so they must be close before the series begins. But the past is buried deep for the Blake, and other families in the area. The secrets Cassie will be digging up will not be about her biological life-givers, but rather, what those people did when they were foolish young adults.

     Because The Secret Circle is on the CW, the obligatory teenage angst is present in full force. Cassie quickly falls for kind Adam (Thomas Dekker, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles). Sadly, Adam is already involved with someone, friendly Diana (Shelley Hennig, Days of Our Lives). Adam and Cassie are supposedly "written in the stars," so we'll see how that works it. It didn't for their parents.

     Rounding our the circle are bitchy Faye (Phoebe Tonkin, H2O: Just Add Water), Faye's sidekick Melissa (Jessica Parker Kennedy, Valemont), and the boy living next door to Cassie, Nick (Louis Hunter, Out of the Blue). Faye most wants to use the powers they all possess, calling a major storm to the town that Cassie must stop when Faye loses control. Nick also shows a wicked streak when he opens Cassie's bedroom curtains when she isn't decent. Is he playing a game, or is he malicious? Melissa really does nothing noteworthy in the "Pilot," so she remains a question mark.

     Despite Faye's bad deeds, Cassie's biggest threats will probably come from outside the group. The previous circle, or what's left of it, have their own dark secrets, and may not like the youngsters following in their footsteps. Diana's father, Charles (Gale Harold, Queer as Folk, Hellcats) is the one that actually murders Cassie's mother, tricking the girl into coming to town for unknown reasons, though Cassie doesn't know that. He is friendly with Faye's mother, Dawn (Natasha Henstridge, Eli Stone), though it is unclear, but likely, if Dawn knows Charles's methods. The third member of their former group in "Pilot" is Adam's father, Ethan (Adam Harrington, Dexter). Ethan is a drunk, but seemingly a nice guy. When Ethan tries to tell Cassie about her mother, Charles almost drowns him.

     There are enough unanswered questions and interesting possibilities to keep viewers intrigued for some time. If it unfolds as tantalizingly as The Vampire Diaries, it will have a lively, popular run. While the teen actors are mostly not ones I'm familiar with, Robertson handles herself well, and Dekker shows some real departure from his previous role. Plus, the adults cast are all wonderful, so the series should be able to grow some legs in short order.

     The Secret Circle airs Thursday nights at 9 p.m. ET on the CW.

     If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter!

Life Unexpected Ends Unexpectedly

     It seems like not that long ago (last April 13th, actually) when I wrote a fond farewell to what I was sure would be Life Unexpected's series finale. Thrilled that the CW gave the little show a second season this year, though it was renewed well after last spring's finale, so we were left hanging for quite awhile, I find myself with mixed feelings that the show is gone for good. Ok, it's not officially canceled, but it might as well be. Kudos to the network for allowing a second chance, but the ending, while plenty tear inducing, also left me frustrated, more for what it didn't show than what it did. As such, I will be focusing this review on the final moments of the show, rather than the whole series, whole season, or even the whole episode.

     The big news, of course: Baze (Kristoffer Polaha) ended up with Cate (Shiri Appleby). How could you not cry when Lux (Brittany Robertson) interrupted their make-out session to call them (for the first time seen on screen) Mom and Dad? Of course it was the dream of every child who grew up without parents, or parents being together. This was also the dream of many fans of the show, not counting myself among them. Yes, I longed for that in season one. But Baze was moving on in season two, and Ryan (Kerr Smith) was so well fleshed out as a likable character... It seemed more realistic that Cate would stay with Ryan.

     I praised the show the first time around for doing the unexpected, ending with Cate marrying Ryan. Cate and Ryan were just so invested in each other, that even after their marital problems this year, I was not happy to see them broken up. It seriously tainted the moment. Had the show been given another two seasons, as the final few moments were set two years in the future, I could easily see Ryan having left Cate to raise his baby with Julia (Jamie Ray Newman, Drop Dead Diva, Eureka) in a more natural way. Plus, it would have helped their radio careers to have them fight a lot and eventually divorce, but stay on the show. Or even not fight too much, as they seemed to still care for each other, and Ryan stayed in Lux's life, as he should have. But as Julia had barely been seen up to this point, it bothered me immensely. It was just too abrupt.

     Baze, like Cate, also had another love interest, in the form of Emma (Emma Caulfield, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Gigantic). It broke my heart when he ended things with her. I totally understand. I knew finding out that she had had a four year affair with Baze's father, Jack (Robin Thomas), would end things between them. How could it not? As such, I blame the writers for ruining such a perfect pairing with that twist. On the other hand, the couple got really serious, really quickly, and had the show continued, I guess it would have been a bit boring for Baze to settle down with a woman so quickly. Not for me, but for most viewers, who like the on again-off again stories. Still, I missed Emma in that ending.

     Another option for Baze, and the one I thought was happening at first, was having him end up with Alice (Erin Karpluk), who was almost absent from this season entirely, but managed to be in the end. When I saw a pregnant Alice sitting next to Baze, I assumed she was his happy ending. It made sense. She was sweet, pretty, and recently divorced before the jump forward. Sure, since she wasn't with Baze, I am glad she was with Math (Austin Basis). Math is the epitome of a nice guy, and his unluckiness in love has been disheartening. I don't wish to take away from his happy ending by complaining. I'm just very unsettled by the whole last minute Cate - Ryan split, and that has influenced my whole opinion of the end.
 
     The other thing I had hoped for was the return of Eric (Shaun Sipos). As someone in the teaching world, I was disgusted by the Lux dating a teacher arc. But I also saw how they came together, completely unaware that they were doing anything wrong, and it hurt my heart a bit, too. Eric was good for Lux, and I had hoped he might return after she became legal age. Unlike the other relationship jumps, I'm fine with Lux ending up with Jones (Austin Butler), even though he had been dating Tasha (Ksenia Solo). Jones was the ultimate symbol of how Lux had been healed emotionally.

     I also wish for another season so I could see Lux fall in and out of love with Sam (Landon Liboiron) before she settled on Jones, as that was clearly being set up before the finale. She had some more healing to do, and Sam would have helped that process along, being a good choice for the damaged Lux, but on the road to healing himself from his parents' broken home, he could have taken her with him. Sam's continued presence would have kept Emma around long enough for Baze to try to get past her past, if he ever could, which is doubtful, but how I hoped it would go.

     Happy endings were also given to Jack, who was at the graduation sitting behind Baze, presumably with their relationship once again on the mend, and Jamie (Reggie Austin), who had almost disappeared from the show in season two. I felt like Kelly (Amy Price-Francis), similar to Sam, lost a good ending because of the pressures of wrapping up the show. Paige (Arielle Kebbel) was even more cheated, as she had been worked fairly prominently into this second season, just to go missing in the final couple of episodes.

     Life Unexpected wasn't always consistently top notch, often (especially in its sophomore year) falling to cheese or what seemed like too much drama. However, it was also often heart warming, and I will miss it.

Article first published as TV Review: Life Unexpected Ended Unexpectedly on Blogcritics.

For frequent mini-reviews and occasional TV news, follow Jerome on Twitter. 

Life Unexpected tries too hard to be unexpected

Before you begin reading this review, you may want to re-read my season finale review from last April.

     Last year, the CW presented a little-watched show that was a surprise pick-up for a second season this year. Life Unexpected was incredibly charming, and I was thrilled when it got renewed, well after I thought it dead. I was even more surprised, and disappointed, to watch the season premiere, "Ocean Uncharted." It wasn't that it was a terrible hour of television; it's just that I know from past efforts that LU can do so much better than this. My biggest complaint is that the show just feels like it's trying too hard. It's stunt storytelling to bring in ratings. The show needs more viewers, but it won't get them if it replaces good writing with shock factors.

     The three most important characters all face earth-shattering events in the premiere. Baze (Kristoffer Polaha) is wondering what would have happened if he had only shown up at the church earlier. Would Cate (Shiri Appleby) have left Ryan (Kerr Smith) at the alter if Baze had arrived before their vows were exchanged? The self-reflection isn't bad, and actually shows Baze's maturation. Nor do I fault him for looking twice at the hot new waitress at his bar, Paige (Arielle Kebbel, Gilmore Girls). It's what happens because of Paige and why Paige will be sticking around for a while that I have a problem with. Don't worry. I won't spoil the surprises.

     Cate and Ryan have just returned from their honeymoon when the premiere episode begins. They took Lux (Brittany Robertson), so that she could have a vacation. Obviously, this did not allow them a traditional post-wedding trip, and we'll see if that has any consequences. Back at work, they learn that a new co-host will be joining them in the mornings, author Kelly Campbell (Amy Price-Francis, 24). She gives marriage advice, without being married herself. And Kelly is there to do more than just join the pair. Not only that, but Ryan seems to be hiding something significant from Cate. I know there needs to be suspense, hooks, and shakeups to get people to watch, but look how many things I mention in that short paragraph for just one episode. Trying way too hard.

     Lux doesn't have it any better than her parents. As soon as she arrives back in town, her boyfriend Bug (Rafi Gavron) wants something very big from her. As Lux has done before, she starts to fall for another boy (Shaun Sipos, Melrose Place) while pulling away from Bug. Even though the guy was new, the plot felt stale. And his twist has been done on many television shows before.

     There is a bright spot on the horizon, though. Emma Caulfield (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Beverly Hills 90210) will soon be joining the cast as the new boss of one of our main characters. Emma sure brought a breath of fresh air to Buffy when she joined the show mid-run. Let's hope she can deliver the same for Life Unexpected.

     Life Unexpected premieres this Tuesday at 9pm on the CW

Article first published as Life Unexpected Tries Too Hard to Be Unexpected on Blogcritics.

   

Life Unexpected ends season (series?) in an unexpected way

     One of the charming new treasures of this television season has been the CW's Life Unexpected.  With a mere thirteen episode run, it came to an end last night.  Sadly, it has not yet been picked up for a second season, so what we watched may have been the end of the story.  Gladly, it that is it, there was closure for most of the major story lines.

     Central to this final episode, titled "Love Unexpected", was the love triangle between Baze (Kristoffer Polaha), Cate (Shiri Appleby), and Ryan (Kerr Smith).  It's been brewing for awhile, as in the pilot, though Ryan proposed to his co-anchor and girlfriend Cate, the child she gave birth to a a teenager resurfaced and she fell into bed with the kid's father, Baze.  Had this been a two hour romantic comedy, Baze would have broke in and stopped Ryan and Cate's wedding, leaving the family intact, and the third party to sadly go away.

     But this is television, and after thirteen episodes of getting to know Ryan, it would have been hard to see him rejected and sent packing.  So though Baze did rush into the chapel, he was too late.  And besides that, Cate seems happy to be married to Ryan.  The unexpected ending fit the show perfectly.

     The child in the middle of all this drama, Lux (Brittany Robertson) realized something, too.  Ryan made her understand how any child of a broken family feels, and her friendship with him has been one of the high points of the series, and the reason it would have been tragic for the series to follow the conventional formula.  Sure, she wanted to get her mom and dad together, and he understood that.  But eventually she seemed to realize that matters of the heart aren't so simple, and that there is more to it than a child's longing.  Beautifully handled.

     Lastly, the writers made time to Baze to reconnect with his own father (Robin Thomas).  It was a plot that simmered for a little while, and erupted in this final episode.  It helped the viewer understand Baze, and gave him some sort of triumph, even if he didn't get the girl.  The slow and seemingly natural relationship, with plenty of setbacks, has been one of the most moving stories in the show.

     Hopefully the CW will grant this show another season.  It deserves it.  But if not, it certainly brought some unexpected joy into my life.

Life Unexpected delivers better than expected

     Although Life Unexpected was expected to do all right for the CW, no one could have predicted it would do as well as it did.  It matched first season Gossip Girl ratings, actually improved significantly on the 8pm audience of long time drama, One Tree Hill.  Though it is merely a mid-season replacement, and hasn't surpassed The Vampire Diaries as CW's best new show of the year, it is well on its way to becoming a staple on the teen-focused network.

     The pilot deserves the numbers it pulled in.  The story was sweet, original, not too campy, and set up an interesting premise while introducing complex characters.  The series stars Brittany Robertson (Swingtown) as Lux, a girl given up for adoption fifteen years ago, but because of a series of surgeries to correct a hole in her heart, was instead bounced around the foster care system.  It seems no one wants to adopt a damaged three year old, or older.  Lux goes from one bad family to the next, and as she approaches her sixteenth birthday, she decides to seek emancipation so she can begin to live on her own.  There's just one small problem: apparently there was a paperwork snafu, and her parents never officially gave up all custody to her.  So she sets off to find them and get them to sign her paper.

     The said parents, who had a one night stand in high school, are bar owner Baze (Kristoffer Polaha) and the host of Lux's favorite morning radio show, Cate (Shiri Appleby, Roswell).  Baze has not really grown up, living with a couple of roommates above the bar, but immediately connects with Lux and wants to help her any way he can.  Cate, similarly is drawn to Lux, though she has her own issues, including a major fear of commitment and lack of communication skills.  This is best illustrated by her dysfunctional relationship with her co-host slash fiance, Ryan (Kerr Smith, Dawson's Creek).  The judge is reluctant to grant Lux her independence without a source of income or residence, so the two biological parents are awarded joint custody.

     All three of the main characters are well defined, and have their own interesting sets of issues.  Each parent steps up when asked, and Lux, though a bit bitter from her life thus far, wants what any child really wants - a loving family.  It is not too late for her, and obviously, through her, both of her parents will be learning life lessons as well.  As the series start, Lux is turning sixteen, and only two years away from being on her own anyway.  It will be interesting to see what turns the series takes to get her to adulthood, and how the relationships will change if the show continues past that point.  An intriguing, well written concept with a lot of heart.  Add it to your television lineup.

     Life Unexpected airs on Monday nights at 9pm on the CW.