RED BAND SOCIETY Trying to Heal Network Television

Article first published as RED BAND SOCIETY Review on Seat42F.

Red Band Society Cast : Octavia Spencer, Nolan Sotillo, Griffin Gluck, Zoe Levin, Charlie Rowe, Ciara Bravo, Brian Bradley, Dave Annable

It’s not often a broadcast network makes a show that feels totally different than just about everything else on television. FOX has done that with RED BAND SOCIETY. The dark dramedy about a group of sick teenagers who live in a hospital has shades of Degrassi, but the unique setting and challenges they face puts a different spin on the coming-of-age genre. Considering that films with similar themes have popped up recently (see: The Fault in Our Stars), it makes sense to explore these issues in a longer-run format.

A show such as RED BAND SOCIETY needs a good group of young actors, and six mostly-unknowns fit the Breakfast Club-esque bill well. Jordi (Nolan Sotillo, Prom) is the new kid on the block, forced to room with bad boy Leo (Charlie Rowe, Pirate Radio). Leo’s best friend is horny Dash (The X Factor contestant Astro). We’ve got the bitchy cheerleader, Kara (Zoe Levin, The Way Way Back), and the mousy girl with an eating disorder, Emma (Ciara Bravo, Big Time Rush). Charlie (Griffin Gluck, Private Practice) narrates the story from his coma bed, secretly visited by the father (Thomas Ian Nicholas, American Pie) who isn’t allowed to see him.

The mix of personalities is pretty good. A lot of boxes are checked, but the performers are all decent enough to sell the product, other than Astro, that is, who is nearly as unlikeable here as he was in the reality show in which he competed. But overall, while somewhat predictable, the relationships are compelling enough to keep the story going, as the kids individually pull the viewer’s heartstrings.

Of course, there are sappy scenes, even in hour one. A particular heart-to-heart between Jordi and Leo is obviously coming, and RED BAND SOCIETY delivers on that promise, asking for some pathos at the conclusion of a bit of fun. In this, it’s emotionally manipulative, but seemingly not in a malevolent way.

There is a staff watching over them, of course. Academy Award winner Octavia Spencer (The Help, Mom) plays the perfect “scary bitch” with a heart of gold, Nurse Jackson. She is offset by Rebecca Rittenhouse as bumbling, naïve Brittany. Surely the two of them will grow over time with one another’s help, much as the kids do. Rounding out the adult contingent is Dr. Jack McAndrew (Dave Annable, Brothers & Sisters), rocking the grey hair as he performers his duty with intelligence and compassion.

Maybe it’s a little simplistic to have such heroic healthcare providers, but RED BAND SOCIETY is a feel-good drama, and thus, needs characters to root for. The teens suffer enough from the viruses ravaging their bodies; they don’t require antagonistic grown-ups bringing them down, too. Instead, we get as cheery a picture as possible under the circumstances, which, while perhaps a tad realistic, makes the show quite watchable.

The wild card for me in this pilot is Ruben Garcia (Griffin Dunne, House of Lies, Dallas Buyers Club). Although not a main character, Ruben is the one adult shown as a patient. One of the kids mentions he’s a rich hypochondriac who will leave his fortune to the hospital, and we see him helping out the youngsters with their schemes. Clearly, the writers must put him here for a reason, so what is it? Will he help someone get through their emotional struggles, or provide an answer to a problem later on?

I’m sure RED BAND SOCIETY won’t be the best new series of the fall, but it is far from the worst, and at least it’s not just copying other series the way so many do. The message portrayed is one many viewers will connect to, or at least feel for, and since there’s no other optimistic drama like this running on the Big Four right now, it may find its niche. I certainly hope it does.

RED BAND SOCIETY airs Wednesdays beginning September 17th on FOX.

'The Mayan Apocalypse' almost devastates House of Lies

Showtime brings the first season of House of Lies to an end with a near-apocalyptic series of events in "The Mayan Apocalypse." Using a framework story set at the party celebrating the acquisition of the firm by MetroCapital, the episode flashes back to show how The Pod copes with events moving towards that moment. Greg Norbert (Greg Germann) leaks to the team that a massive, class action sexual harassment suit could bring down Marco (Griffin Dunne), the sneaky mastermind of the deal. They search in vain for a woman willing to step forward. That is, until Jeannie (Kristen Bell) herself fesses up, rallying others around her, and the merger is killed.

Jeannie has been an interesting character to watch this season. Played expertly by Bell, she begins as a tough, secretive person, and ends as one who will expose parts of herself for the right reasons. She is never going to be the typical girl, perhaps, feeling more comfortable in the boys' club. But by getting in touch with a shameful moment, one that bonds her to her "sisters," she saves the day. Then she breaks off her engagement because, well, accepting the truth about this makes her accept the truth about not being ready for marriage, too.

To celebrate, she goes shot for shot with Marty (Don Cheadle). Why does she do this? Could it be that she just needs to get drunk after a long, difficult evening? Could it be to wash away the embarrassment, even if only for one night? Or is it to prove to Marty, The Pod, and herself that she is still as strong as ever? That admitting a sexual affair does not weaken her or her ability to do her job? Whatever the reason, it's a moving scene that certainly conveys a message, even if it is one left open to interpretation. Awards bait for Bell, perhaps?

It's gratifying to see the merger killed. If this hadn't happened, there is no telling where season two might go. Much is still up in the air, but at least Marty's entire world isn't destroyed in a single episode.

That doesn't mean that he escapes "The Mayan Apocalypse" unscathed. In fact, Marty faces a very difficult decision in this episode. He must choose whether to spend his time looking for ways to stop the merger or help his son, Roscoe (Donis Leonard Jr.) with a school project. He picks work over family, naively believing that family will wait, as they always do. However, this time it's one push too many. Not only does an upset Roscoe choose to live with his mother, but Marty's father, Jeremiah (Glynn Turman), is so ashamed of Marty's actions, that he leaves, too, at least, for awhile. As Marty's work life rights itself, his personal world falls apart.

How long will it take Roscoe and Jeremiah to forgive Marty and return? They are certain to do so. Jeremiah just needs some time to cool down, understandably. Roscoe's mother, Monica (Dawn Olivieri), has shown no characteristics of being a decent mom. Even if Marty doesn't always give Roscoe the priority he deserves, Marty is a much better parent than Monica because he accepts Roscoe and loves him unconditionally, and is usually dedicated to doing right by him. Balance will be restored. It will just take some time.

House of Lies has more special effects than most of its peers, frequently doing a freeze frame that Marty will walk and talk through. "The Mayan Apocalypse" takes this technique to the next level. Not only does Marty go into the clouds to turn around a plane, he also stages an elaborate massacre, shooting down many of the party attendees. These fantasy sequences enhance the show, and seeing them ratcheted up into something so elaborate makes for a satisfying finale.

House of Lies airs on Showtime. If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter!