Excited About EXTANT

Article first published as EXTANT Review on Seat42F.

CBS’s summer slate is turning out to be nothing like their regular season fare. While tired procedurals that basically tell the same story week after week dominate CBS programming from September through May, June, July, and August have suddenly become a spot for mind-bendy, dramatic, highly serialized science fiction shows, of the likes which FOX might air and quickly cancel in the fall. Last year’s Under the Dome is a decent series, but EXTANT, premiering this week, promises to be quite a bit better.

EXTANT tells the story of an astronaut, Molly Woods (Halle Berry, the X-Men films), whom, after thirteen months alone in space, returns to Earth pregnant and in the middle of a conspiracy. She experiences something very strange during her mission, which we see in flashbacks throughout the pilot, “Re-entry,” and is determined not to reveal to anyone what she saw and felt. Those who would control her on the ground may or may not know what she knows, but they have had issues with other astronauts in recent years and are definitely are keeping a close eye on Molly.

In the second major element of the series, Molly’s husband, John (Goran Visnjic, ER), has created an artificial intelligence to satisfy the couple’s un-fulfilled urge to have a child. The boy, named Ethan (Pierce Gagnon, One Tree Hill), is every bit as self-aware as the kid at the center of A.I., but with an added creepiness where viewers are left to wonder if he is performing as designed to do or is the first stage in a robotic uprising. Of course, this question is barely posed in the first episode, nowhere near an answer yet, but worth exploring.

Thus we get a suspenseful mystery, a tale of corrupt leadership, a Big Brother-like level of secret monitoring, questions about the existence of a soul and the ethics of creating life, and many other smart elements all wrapped into one. The writers have spun a very interconnected web of characters and motivations, obviously intelligently put together in “Re-entry” alone, and an incredibly enjoyable watch.

That is not to say that the show is without problems. At first, I wondered about a huge plot hole in Molly trying to keep her secrets her own, but then realized that the character is acting exactly as many would given the circumstances, logical or not. More troubling is that she has the means to try to cover things up, which I find unrealistic given the level of scrutiny she is under.

Overall, though, EXTANT is very good, definitely the best thing on the broadcast networks this summer. It’s exciting, fast-paced, gorgeous in its special effects demonstrating futuristic technology (it is not set in the present day), a world that captures the imagination, and a story that engages viewers. The questions it raises are deep, and the universe these characters live in is one I can see us getting very close to within my lifetime, even if we’re still many decades away from it. It feels right.

The acting is pretty convincing. I’m not a big fan of Berry, never have been, though she does a serviceable job. I like Visnjic a lot here, and Gagnon is amazing, given his age and relative lack of experience. The supporting cast also includes some capable players such as Camryn Manheim (The Practice) as Molly’s doctor and friend, Grace Gummer (The Newsroom) as a colleague of John’s, Michael O’Neill (Rectify, Bates Motel) as Molly’s boss, and Hiroyuki Sanada (Helix, Lost) as John’s investor. Plus, Annie Wersching (24), Brad Beyer (Jericho), and Tyler Hilton (One Tree Hill) serve recurring roles. Most of these are not A-listers, but they are no slouches, either.

If you’ve been on the fence about whether to give EXTANT a try, and believe me, I understand that position, please do. You’re likely to be pleasantly surprised at the superior effort put forward. More summer shows like this and CBS will be a competitor in the hotter months for the first time.

EXTANT premieres Wednesday at 9 p.m. ET on CBS.

HELIX's Shadow Falls

Article first published as HELIX's Shadow Falls on TheTVKing.

The title of SyFy's Helix season finale, which aired last night, is "Dans L'Ombre." Translated into English, it means "in the shadow." There is definitely one character lurking surreptitiously in the base, someone who betrays those who trust him and remains uncaught as the frozen base meets its end. Where will Helix go from here?

"Dans L'Ombre" begins and ends about eight months after the rest of season one. While the general format has been one episode equals one day, basically taking our characters through a two-week crisis, the plot spreads its wings and soars beyond that small scope now. To be honest, the story was beginning to feel quite limited, stuck in one base in the middle of nowhere, as cool as that is at the start, but by the end of the hour, the writers have literally opened up an entire world of possibilities as the show is about to get global.

I hope this change of scenery helps. I really enjoyed the middle of the season, when Constance Sutton (Jeri Ryan) showed up and things got tense. But the secrets that have been spilling out these past couple of weeks seem tame by comparison. Even the arc involving Julia's mother seems tired and limp, which could be why Helix couldn't wait to get rid of the new character almost as soon as they find her.

I wonder how much Alan (Billy Campbell) might drag things down. Campbell works great as a supporting player, but as the leading man, is a bit boring. The writers are trying very hard to punch up Alan's arc, reviving his romance with Julia (Kyra Zagorsky) and making his brother, Peter (Neil Napier), secretly evil. Normally, this would be enough to make any character exciting, but even in the scenes where Alan is beating up a guy, he still seems a little bland.

The most interesting character on the show is probably Hiroshi (Hiroyuki Sanada). Originally introduced as an antagonist, we now know that Hiroshi is blackmailed into much of what he has done, and really has been trying to save the day. The sacrifice of his son, Daniel (Meegwun Fairbrother), is heartbreaking, but at least he still has Julia. Hiroshi's mission to protect everyone, especially his family, possibly clearing his name in the process, though he will never live down his guilt and regret, is definitely the most compelling reason to watch.

As "Dans L'Ombre" ends, we are left with more questions than answers. Did Julia slip Alan the virus or the cure? Why is Julia running Ilaria? Are the silver-eyed people a different species, as The Scythe (Robert Naylor, Being Human) seems to imply (Ilaria is, after all, an extinct genus of the marsupial family, so maybe evolution and branching species come into play)? How will Sarah (Jordan Hayes) and her pregnancy fit into the next chapter? How about Sergio (Mark Ghanime) and his shifting alliances? Has the virus spread beyond Puerto Rico? How come Alan can't get anyone in power to listen to him, given his position and the destroyed base, something too big to cover up?

I don't know that Helix is as fleshed out as it should be. There are terrific moments, such as when Alan throws Constance's head into the helicopter to distract The Scythe, or when Hiroshi reveals the truth. But there are also many seemingly unconnecte, threads that don't really advance the main story. I found season one good, not great. Can a second year work out the kinks?

Helix will return to SyFy.

Is HELIX a "Survivor?"

Article first published as Is HELIX a "Survivor?" on TheTVKing.

There's a lot to praise about the SyFy original series Helix. For one thing, it's much smarter than most of the fare on the network. It's a disease outbreak stretched out to full television series proportions, which hasn't really been done before, at least not successfully. It contains some actual science (and, admittedly, some liberties with facts, too). It has mystery, suspense, and mythology on its side.

The thing that has kept it from really soaring for me, though, is the characters. Dr Alan Farragut (Billy Campbell), the lead, is a ridiculous caricature. He's very intelligent, but also abnormally kind, and is willing to fist fight with trained soldiers. He's way too stereotypical a hero, too good at too many things, and lacking any real depth. His relationship with Dr. Sarah Jordan (Jordan Hayes) is beyond dumb and formulaic. I'm not sure if it's the actor or the way the part is written, but it drags the show down.

Thankfully, quietly, slowly, the series has been building up an interesting ensemble that may be the key to take it to the next level. Dr. Julia Walker (Kyra Zagorsky) not only has a unique plot arc, but also some history with the company behind this whole mess that even she doesn't remember. Dr. Hiroshi Hatake (Hiroyuki Sanada) is more than he seems, and actually has personal motivations that extend beyond a grab for power or profit. Major Sergio Balleseros (Mark Ghanime), who I had written off after his murder of the only interesting personality from the first few weeks, stumbles onto some information that could shift his allegiances, making him a dangerous uncertainty.

This is all ramped up in tonight's excellent "Survivor Zero." If you've been on the fence and letting episodes build up on your DVR, this installment, the halfway point of the season, sent out to press for early viewing for a reason, is where things begin to change and get really interesting. There are developments which each of those three mentioned in the previous paragraph that should shock and intrigue you. They are part of a story I really want to see.

All of this is instigated by the arrival of Constance Sutton (Jeri Ryan, Star Trek: Voyager, Body of Proof). Sutton is the head of the parent company that runs the base, Hatake's boss. She comes to check on the progress of the mission, clues of which are revealed in "Survivor Zero" that haven't been obvious before. Her showing up kicks off a number of new subplots, or speeds along those that had been barely blooming, increasing the pacing of the show as a whole.

She is also a heck of a great character. Ryan shines in playing multiple sides, a master manipulator who has her own goals, some overt, some not so much. I've liked Ryan before this, but this is much more of a meaty role for her than the past work I've seen her in, and should she stick around, has the potential to quickly become the most magnetic personality on Helix.

I am loathe to go into details because I think "Survivor Zero" works best without clues. Not being one to watch episode previews before they air, I'm not sure how much has been given away, but popping this into my player this past week was surprisingly rewarding. If this is an example of what is coming for Helix, and by the way it unfolds, I think it is a good indicator of what is planned for the back half of the season, it should really become something to watch in the very near future.

Helix airs Fridays at 10 p.m. ET on SyFy.

Unlocking the HELIX

Article first published as HELIX Review on Seat42F.

SyFy is stepping outside its comfort zone with the new original series HELIX, premiering this week. It is not a case-of-the-week procedural, nor is it campy, two hallmarks of most SyFy dramas. Instead, this is a serious thriller about CDC agents traveling to a base in the Artic where a mutation could either save the human race or doom it. Heavy, huh?

It’s a great idea for a show. We’ve had exciting movies and miniseries about outbreaks of disease or biological contagions, but I can’t think of a single successful weekly series on the topic. With disease named as one of the most imminent threats the planet may face, genetic engineering debated for moral and hypothetical reasons, and the genre of horror television never having been more popular, it seems an apropos time to toss this into the mix.

HELIX is adrenaline-inducing. There are very tense scenes, and danger seems to be around every corner. The pacing is slow, then ramps up, then slows down, then ramps up again, sure to keep your heart beating fast. There are mysteries the CDC people don’t understand, and scary images that crop up. While not being a full-on horror piece, without constant deaths of characters, it does definitely give you the impression that not every one of the main players will make it out of the season alive. And since the base is home to more than a hundred people, there is plenty of room for body counts.

In a program such as this, set at an Arctic base, one expects some decent visuals. What special effects were included in the advance screener looked pretty cool, but sadly many of those were not finished. I am eager to see the first two installments again when their air to find out if HELIX delivers on this element.

Billy Campbell (The Killing) stars as the head of the CDC team sent to the base, Dr. Alan Farragut. His brother, Peter (Neil Napier, Bullet in the Face), is the only one of the initial three infected that is still alive. If this wasn’t bad enough for Alan to deal with, he used to be with the woman who recruits him for this mission, Dr. Julia Walker (Kyra Zagorsky, Green Season), until she slept with Peter.

This kind of triangle is nothing new, and induces a few groans at playing to such a familiar bit. However, this type of dynamic is utilized over and over again for a reason. We need to care about these characters, and there needs to be tension between them to make the show more compelling. While I wish there had been some thought to originality in crafting the roles, it’s one that works for the show.

There’s a fourth person involved, Alan’s plucky mentee, Dr. Sarah Jordan (Jordan Hayes, House at the End of the Street). Sarah insists that nothing romantic is going on between her and Alan, but Julia doesn’t believe Sarah, since Julia and Alan’s tryst started under similar circumstances. I am hoping Sarah is telling the truth, though, as that would be more interesting and fresh, even if she does have unrequited feelings for her boss.

There are a handful of other major players, too. Dr. Hiroshi Hatake (Hiroyuki Sanada, Lost) runs the base where the disaster occurs, and may be the villain of the show, unless the writers are painting him as a red herring. Daniel Aerov (Meegwun Fairbrother, The Time Traveler), works for Hiroshi. Dr. Doreen Boyle (Catherine Lemieux, White House Down) is a member of Alan’s team whose specialty is animals, which makes her quite suspicious when the base residents insist they don’t have any monkeys. Major Sergio Balleseros (Mark Ghanime, Emily Owens M.D.) is a soldier who is not going to let the contagion get out.

The one thing HELIX lacks, though, is a stand-out character, Sarah seems the most interesting thus far, and Doreen has potential, though the latter also has potential to die early. But unlike in most TV shows, there really hasn’t been anyone to latch onto and get fully behind. The people in HELIX seem realistic because they aren’t abnormally charismatic, but that could end up hurting the series as it tries to build an audience.

HELIX premieres this Friday at 10 p.m. ET.

Revenge is my "Destiny"

Grade: 86%

ABC left REVENGE fans a heck of a cliffhanger last spring – the death of Victoria Grayson (Madeleine Stowe) in a horrific plane crash. As the season two opener, “Destiny,” begins, lights play over a wreck in the ocean. It looks bad, and based upon what viewers are hearing, survivors are unlikely.

But this isn’t Victoria’s accident. This is Jack’s (Nick Wechsler) boat, three months into the future. Is it smart to replay the same formula that worked for season one, where we saw Daniel (Joshua Bowman) apparently shot, and then, months later, found out that it wasn’t he who was dead? Well, it does provide continuity for viewers, keeping the tone of the show the same. But it could also grow stale pretty quickly after a few seasons. The tease technique is great, but one has to be careful not to overuse it.

It would be folly to try to guess who the lifeless arm belongs to that the camera glimpses in the wreckage. With plenty of story left to happen before the sinking, there will be guesses galore, and enough twists to keep the mystery interesting. One thing is relatively certain thought: it is extremely unlike that Jack is the one that is dead. And many fans would be thrilled if it turns out to be Amanda (Margarita Levieva).

Speaking of death, losing Victoria cuts the soul out of REVENGE. She is a fantastic villain, and the first half of “Destiny” feels empty without her. It looks like a few others might want to fill the vacuum she left, but they aren’t nearly as compelling, and would feel hollow in Victoria’s place. REVENGE needs Victoria just as much as it needs its lead, Emily (Emily VanCamp). They are really the only two characters who aren’t expendable.

Which is why Victoria’s survival is not a surprise. The press screener stops before that point of the episode, probably because the network is trying very hard for the fake out. In 2012, when this sort of thing has been done over and over before, surprise isn’t going to happen for many cynical viewers. Perhaps realizing this, REVENGE does not make the Victoria reveal the end of the episode, but rather, it is done in the middle to further the story along.

These elements do not come across as fresh and original. But REVENGE isn’t trying to break new ground. It’s trying to be the best soapy drama it possible can be, a guilty pleasure treat for the masses who like watching rich people backstabbing each other and quests for justice. REVENGE knows what it is, and delivers well enough on that promise to stay worth watching.

Now that we know Victoria is alive, the next question is why she stays in hiding, and what she is planning. She has help from the White Haired Man (James Morrison, 24), which explains why she didn’t die on the plane, since the WHM is the one who blew it up. Is Victoria a pawn of his, or a willing partner? If she is a pawn, how soon before she double crosses him?

The White Haired Man is an interesting character because it seems like he is brought into the series just to save the Graysons from going down. After all, for the plot to move along, Emily must make some headway on getting revenge for what happened to her father (James Tupper). If the Graysons were the ones behind everything, she would be frustratingly stalled for the entire run of the series, since Victoria cannot be taken out of the show without killing it. The White Haired Man is likely only the first of the shadowy puppet masters behind the scenes that Emily will face.

Emily herself is really struggling with this mission, having failed in the first battle. She has to flee to Japan for further training from Takeda (unfortunately recast, as Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa doesn’t look much like the original actor, Hiroyuki Sanada). But her head still isn’t in the game, having learned that her mother (Jennifer Jason Leigh, Weeds) was also screwed over by the Graysons, and is still alive. This clouds Emily’s judgment, and she sets off, unready to engage again.

Poor Emily. Her emotions are frequently her downfall, and it’s why, after a productive start, she keeps failing to reach her goals. We don’t want to see her grow cold, which is what is needed to get her revenge, as then she would become an unlikable character. So instead, we have to watch her fail. There just isn’t a way to win for the girl who has had such a rough life. Not that she’s going to stop trying. This builds an internal journey on top of her mission that makes her more sympathetic to fans.

Adding to Emily’s woe is that her love, Jack, is trying to move on with Amanda, who claims to be pregnant with his child. One has to assume that she’s lying because, if not, then Jack is going to be stuck with a woman he doesn’t love. It would be far neater if she is telling the truth, though, and he has to break free from her anyway. As Levieva has not been made a series regular, Jack should be able to succeed, sooner rather than later.

Will that mean a happy ending for Emily? Probably not. As much as she might be tempted to settle down with Jack, she is too tortured to let go of what happened to her parents. Even if she were to be with him, she would still be haunted by events, and would still seek retribution, which is not a recipe from which to make a good relationship. So perhaps it’s better that Emily can’t be with Jack, so she won’t hurt him.

Of course, there seems to be a lingering spark between Emily and Daniel, even though Daniel has moved on with Ashley (Ashley Madekwe). Ashley has her hooks into him for the status and the money, and won’t let go easily. But Daniel isn’t in love with her, and even though Emily broke his heart, he would still take her back, maybe even change for her. Love is his weakness, and it might also be the path to his own redemption. Emily might consider a reconciliation if Daniel decides he’s not his father’s son, after all.

All in all, a fitting return, if slightly disappointing in its predictability. REVENGE airs Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on ABC.

'Scandal' a timely topic for Revenge

With the plot now caught up to the flash forward shown in the "Pilot," ABC's Revenge begins treading into new territory with "Scandal." Daniel (Joshua Bowman) is the prime suspect in Tyler's (Ashton Holmes) murder, and the Graysons close ranks to defend him. Ashley (Ashley Madekwe) uses the chaos to grab the spotlight, becoming a press darling. Jack (Nick Wechsler) looks to be the most likely patsy to pin the killing on, since he is present on the beach that night. However, only Emily (Emily VanCamp) knows what really happened, and that Takeda (Hiroyuki Sanada) is responsible. 

Revenge had quite a quandary, as the series sets Daniel up to die midway through the first season. As Daniel has become such a popular character, solving this dilemma became a priority, and solve it the writers did! Instead of getting rid of Daniel, Revenge has made him the center of a flashy murder trial, which gives his character even more to do. Brilliant move!

Revenge is a product of its time, and "Scandal" proves that on a number of levels. While many Americans seek a battle with the rich 1%, Revenge is the story of taking down those who can buy their way out of any situation. Daniel's trial is a flashpoint for that sentiment, and even though fans like Daniel, and know he is innocent, it plays wonderfully into the theme. This theme, of course, is also evident in Emily's larger story of ruining the people who destroyed her father (James Tupper). But the murder trial is an extra delicious layer that enhances this.

Ashley is also a character that speaks to people. In the age of Kim Kardashian, Paris Hilton, and others who become famous for seemingly nothing, she is a product of a generation that would like to be in that position. Ashley may have career goals, but that is superseded by the desire for fame and fortune. Sensing an opportunity, Ashley leaks photos of Daniel to the press, than steps up as spokesperson for the family, showing public grace in a crisis.

Nolan (Gabriel Mann) is the only one who figures out what Ashley is up to, and calls her on it. However, as seems to be typical of the characters in Revenge, it's better to hold something over someone than to expose them outright. Thus, it looks as if Nolan will let Ashley get away with her stunt, for now. That is, until there is something that she can do for him in return for keeping her secret. Can't wait to find out what favor Nolan will call in!

Jack and Declan (Connor Paolo) undergo a role reversal in "Scandal." So far in the show, Jack has been Declan's protector and caretaker. Jack is an older brother, not a father, so this role isn't complete, but there's an obvious bend to their relationship. Now, with Jack's freedom in danger, Declan steps up to protect his brother. How might he go about this? Will Jack really be framed for a crime that he didn't commit?

Emily is the center of Revenge, but the events of "Scandal" prove that she is not in control of everything. For instance, she would never frame Jack for anything, since she actually cares about him. She didn't intend to get Daniel into such trouble, either. Yes, she uses him as a pawn, but many viewers like to think that Emily has shown signs of actual affection for Daniel, despite who his parents are. It's hard to tell the extent of messiness this brings at this early juncture, but surely the whole trial thing has thrown Emily's machinations into disarray.

Why has Emily strayed off of her path? The murder is something that she can't control, but Tyler would never have been on the beach trying to expose her lies to Daniel had Emily not grown careless. She is very lucky that Takeda is there to finish off Tyler, and knock Daniel unconscious before he hears something that Emily doesn't want Daniel to hear. Takeda has been Emily's mentor, and now he acts as her savior.

Yet, Emily and Takeda's relationship is far from stable or certain. Why is Takeda employing Nolan separately to keep an eye on Emily? Is this about protecting her, or does Takeda have ulterior motives? Why would he possibly care so much for Emily that he is willing to kill a man, as well as make Amanda (Margarita Levieva) disappear? Takeda has been a fringe character, and suddenly, he is being thrust to the forefront of the story in "Scandal." This is a cool move, but at this time, Takeda is far more an enigma than a predictable player in the larger game.

Now that some secrets are exposed, Emily and Charlotte (Christa B. Allen) know that they are sisters. Well, Charlotte actually thinks Amanda is her sister, since Emily is the real Amanda. What implications might this have? Can Emily still bring down Charlotte's parents, knowing that she will hurt an innocent relation? Not to mention, Victoria (Madeleine Stowe) is soiling Charlotte's opinion of their father, and Emily can't speak up about it without telling Charlotte the truth. How painful it must be to listen to Charlotte complain about the "lousy" man who gave her life! This is a juicy subplot that has to figure into the main story, but, like other elements, it's not clear how it will yet.

Revenge has done a superb job setting up a complex story with an intertwining web of characters. Sixteen episodes in, as of "Scandal," the series is just getting started. There isn't even time left in the first season to tie up all the major arcs, and new ones keep getting added in! As long as the quality of the acting and writing, which has been excellent so far, stays consistent, Revenge has many happy years ahead of it.


Watch Revenge Wednesdays at 10 p.m. ET on ABC.

MORE: If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter. Please click here to catch up with streaming episodes of Revenge. Article first published as TV Review: Revenge - "Scandal" on Blogcritics.