SHADOWHUNTERS Typical Young Adult Genre Adventure

Article first published as SHADOWHUNTERS Review on Seat42F.

ABC Family’s Freeform’s SHADOWHUNTERS premieres this week. It is based on The Mortal Instruments novels by Cassandra Clare, and ignores the 2013 film based on the first installment of the series entirely, wisely starting fresh, since so few saw that movie anyway. But what is it exactly?

Well, it’s a mystery action-adventure steeped in a world of demon hunters and warlocks. One girl, Clary Fray (Katherine McNamara, Happyland), was kept sheltered from her destiny by her mother, Jocelyn (Maxim Roy, ReGenesis). Because of this, or maybe not, she now seems to be a special bridge between the world of mundanes (regular humans) and those that protect them from the forces of darkness. Which is needed now, for some reason, even though things have gone along centuries without one in that role. (Yes, yes, I get that the artifact everyone is searching for is why things have changed. Just seems arbitrary.)

There are saviors who go around, invisibly slaying the creatures that would do us poor, defenseless mortals harm. Most notably is Jace Wayland (Dominic Sherwood, The Cut), who hunts with sibling pair Alec (Matthew Daddario, Delivery Man) and Isabelle Lightwood (Emeraude Toubia, Tattooed Love), and whom finds Clary in her hour of need. Plus, Jace is easy on Clary’s eyes, so how can she resist someone with good looks and nobility?

If this sounds like the makings of a young adult novel, with the same style of a Twilight or an Insurgent, that’s because it is. The Mortal Instruments is a book series for that age group, and the television adaptation fully embraces its format. Which is right in line with the target audience of Freeform (well, the younger end of the stated demographic), and will likely appeal to a lot of its existing viewers. While it is a more epic tale, and likely has a much bigger special effects budget than most of its peers on the network, it should fit in fine.

The problem is for those of us who aren’t all about the cheesy romance and coming-of-age at the same time as becoming a hero stuff. There is absolutely a market for this, so I’m not knocking SHADOWHUNTERS for being what it is. I’m just saying the appeal is limited, as most adults will see this and roll their eyes at the melodrama existing between the characters. It’s more fantasy-style love than anything real or authentic.

SHADOWHUNTERS does have quite a broad world to explore, which is fitting for such a journey tale. We have the mentor, Luke (Isaiah Mustafa, Horrible Bosses), the best friend, Simon (Alberto Rosende, The Swing of Things), and a High Warlock (Harry Shum Jr., Glee), among others, to pull Clary in divergent directions. This means the plot isn’t likely to grow boring or stale anytime soon.

Yet, there’s nothing of real quality to make SHADOWHUNTERS stretch its genre, either. The cast is serviceable, but no one stands out as being particularly impressive. Some of the monsters look a little goofy because small screen budgets will always lag well behind feature films. The main thrust is relatively standard fare, with no big surprises present, at least not in the first hour.

My verdict isn’t that SHADOWHUNTERS is bad. I even occasionally enjoy a little bit from this genre. But a little bit goes a long way, and since this one has not done anything notable to distinguish itself from the pack or make it rise above the standard mold, I can’t really recommend it to anyone outside of its target demographic. For those this was made for, though, I think it’s a pretty decent example, compared to its peers, and you’re likely to enjoy it quite a bit.

SHADOWHUNTERS premieres Tuesdays at 9 p.m. on Freeform.

Does Chuck belong on the A-Team?

      We didn't have to wait very long to see what Jane Bentley (Robin Givens) is up to: she is heading up a new Intersect program! I was wondering what the rest of this season of NBC's Chuck is going to be about, and now I have my answer. Bentley is turning other agents into new Chucks, tweaking and downloading the computer program into more heads. Anyone else see a creepy parallel to Dollhouse and its series finale, where brains could be taken over remotely? Scary stuff!

     Bentley's operations are revealed when Sarah (Yvonne Strahovski) and Chuck (Zachary Levi), bored at not getting any missions, spy on their own teammate, Casey (Adam Baldwin), steal his hand print, and break into the new super-secret lair within Castle. They are as surprised as viewers may have been to discover Chuck's father's laptop and two new Intersects. It seems the Greta program has a deeper purpose, as two Gretas (Stacy Keibler and Isaiah Mustafa) have already been loaded with a tweaked version of the program. Sarah and Chuck are reduced to B-Team status, picking up a puppy, while Casey and his new co-workers do the dangerous stuff. Until Casey gets both teams together, the Gretas screw things up, and Chuck has to save the day.

     Keibler and Mustafa were welcome to see again, though I wish the other Gretas, Olivia Munn (Perfect Couples, The Daily Show With Jon Stewart) and Summer Glau (Firefly, The Cape), had been included. I know both of the latter ladies have busier schedules than the ones used, but I still want to see more of them. I was disappointed that the Greta conceit seemed to be abandoned last fall after only four Gretas, so it's nice to know there is a larger plan, and the possibility for returns.

     Even better, I like when the Gretas are relieved to get the computer taken out of their heads. It gives a small insight into what Chuck deals with, having been the Intersect for four years now. Early in the series, we used to see Chuck struggle with what was going on, and for awhile, he was even experiencing pain from the cpmputer. I'm glad the show took time to remind us that, as easy as Chuck makes things look, being the Intersect is no walk in the park.

     That being said, I am completely enthusiastic about Chuck taking control of the program. Next week, Chuck will be training a number of other possible Intersect candidates. We've gotten to see Chuck as a spy, and now a new side will be revealed as he becomes a leader and a teacher. I have no problem with new Intersects coming into the equation, as long as Chuck remains the best. After all, this reminds Chuck's bosses just how valuable he is.

     As to what Bentley will do next, that is anyone's guess. She steals the laptop and takes it to Ellie (Sarah Lancaster), hoping that a Bartowski will be able to figure out the programming, as Bentley cannot. I assume, based on what we've seen of Ellie's interaction with the device so far, Chuck's sister will be able to help Bentley, albeit without knowing what Bentley is really wanting. Is this Ellie's reintroduction to the spy world? And how will Bentley use what she finds? I think Bentley is bent on taking back the Intersect training program, and she is willing to cross some lines to do it.

     Ellie and her husband, Devon a.k.a. Captain Awesome (Ryan McPartlin), flirted with the spy world earlier in the series, but have been away from it for awhile. Their main interest has been in raising their baby daughter, and that provides some comedic moments. Even put together, successful doctors like the two of them have trouble taking care of an infant. It is sweet, sweet justice that the only sounds that will keep their baby quiet are those of Jeffster, the amateur band formed by Jeff (Scott Krinsky) and Lester (Vik Sahay), two almost subhuman Buy More employees. They played baby Claire into the world, and now she is drawn to them. Best. Development. Ever. How soon til they babysit?

     I like that Casey gets some focus this week, as he sometimes doesn't get enough plot for my taste. There is never any doubt in my mind that the Colonel is still loyal to his old partners, as we had seen a couple of week's ago Casey's refusal to leave Burbank. I understand why he feels like a third wheel and wants a new, independent assignment. Bentley is right about Casey's talents being wasted. However, Casey is happy with this group, and happiness sometimes means more than career aspirations. Casey has always put career first, but he's never had such strong reasons not to. I predict even more drama, as I think Casey will soon be revealed to his daughter's mother, whether he wants to be or not. Will that give him another reason to stay, or push him away?

 

     Morgan (Joshua Gomez), too, is showing more of a striking out on his own individualism streak, allowing much personal development. While his screen time may have been limited this week, the last few episodes have found him finding a new apartment and getting pretty serious with his girlfriend, Casey's daughter, Alex (Mekenna Melvin). And this week, Morgan stands up to Chuck and Sarah, showing off the spine he has been slowly growing. They are unable to get any information from him about Casey's activities, which they assumed would be easy enough. Our little Morgan has become a man!

 

     One of the current best shows on television, Chuck airs Monday nights at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.

Article first published as TV Review: Chuck - "Chuck Versus the A-Team" on Blogcritics.

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