FOX's SECOND CHANCE

Article originally published as SECOND CHANCE Review on Seat42F.

FOX’s first mid-season drama out of the gate this January is called SECOND CHANCE. While it has gone through quite a few title changes (it used to be known as Lookinglass, and before that, The Frankenstein Code), the premise seems to have stayed relatively consistent. A brilliant, but antisocial, man develops a way to save his dying sister, reversing what death means. Testing it on an old sheriff who was murdered, it’s about someone getting a second chance to live.

It’s probably wise they didn’t keep Frankenstein in the name of the show. Frankenstein was about creating new life, and this series is about getting a do-over on a life misspent. Dr. Frankenstein obsessively sought to create a creature for his own selfish purposes, while the brain in this, Otto (Adhir Kalyan, Rules of Engagement), is trying to save his sister, Mary (Dilshad Vadsaria, Greek). And if you’ve ever read the novel by Mary Shelley (which I do recommend), I doubt you’ll see very little of that echoed in this particular story.

The revived is Jimmy Pritchard (The Loop’s Philip Baker Hall at the start, then EastEnders and True Blood’s Robert Kazinsky, likely for the rest of the series). While Jimmy’s death is just a case of him being in the wrong place at the wrong time, is life is made up of bad choices, being a bad father to FBI agent Duval Pritchard (Tim DeKay, White Collar) and drunk Helen (Amanda Detmer, What About Brian), and having to resign from office in disgrace. At least Duval’s daughter, Gracie (Ciara Bravo, Red Band Society), still likes Grandpa.

Obviously, Jimmy is probably not the ideal man for Mary and Otto in terms of personality, but his genetic markers make him ideal for their science experiment. Hence how an uneasy partnership is formed.

I like the SECOND CHANCE pilot, and think it could be a very interesting drama. If it is about Jimmy trying to be a better person, and if it remains about his family (Duval and Gracie are main characters, and there’s a very cool twist after Duval meets new Jimmy), I would very much enjoy this show. The first episode is certainly focused on those things, and that’s a good sign. I am also very interested in the Mary / Otto relationship, and what goes on within their company and with their assistants, Alexa (Vanessa Lengies, Glee) and Arthur (Scott Menville, Teen Titans).

What I worry it will devolve into is a case-of-the-week procedural. It could take a little bending, but if Jimmy teams up with Duval and works to solve cases so he can be the lawman he never was, I’ll be super disappointed. FOX hurt its failed, almost brilliant sci-fi series Almost Human by trying to force it into a procedural box. That show managed to still be good, but it could have been so much better without the shackles. I could easily see this one taking the same path since so much of the broadcast networks’ fare does.

Which is a shame. With FOX in a total ratings free fall this year, and the Big Four dying out overall, it seems a good time to take a chance on something new, something exciting, something that can build a loyal fan base who excitedly engage and may even bring back a canceled show for a second chance if it doesn’t live long enough. SECOND CHANCE could be FOX’s second chance to get things right, which would be nicely poetic. It just seems unlikely that it will be.

SECOND CHANCE premieres Wednesday at 9 p.m. on FOX.

Modern Family has a "Boys' Night"

     Who knew that Jay Pritchett (Ed O'Neill) would enjoy hanging out with a bunch of gay guys so darn much? In this week's episode of ABC's Modern Family, that's exactly what is revealed, as Jay ditches his wife, Gloria (Sofia Vergara), and the symphony, for a bar. He happens to pick the bar where his son, Mitchell (Jesse Tyler Ferguson), Mitchell's partner, Cameron (Eric Stonestreet), and their friends are enjoying cocktails. Jay gets a frilly drink and joins in the fun, having probably the best time we, the audience, has ever seen him have.

     I very much enjoyed Jay's drinking experience, but there is something that nags me just a bit. In the past, we have seen Jay be accepting of Mitchell, but never embrace the homosexual lifestyle as much as he suddenly does. The next day, nursing a hangover, Jay is disturbed and put off when Mitchell and Cam's friend, Pepper (Nathan Lane), shows up to take him on a day outing. Jay blames his commitment to the plan on alcohol. Sure, Jay may have been inebriated when he agreed to hang out with Pepper, but Jay bonded with all of Mitchell's friends the moment he sat down at their table, before he started drinking. That's why the plot rings hollow, if only slightly.

     How many movies have been made where a young boy befriends an old man? OK, so not that many, but enough that it's a familiar setup. Yet, it feels fresh as Luke (Nolan Gould), in all his ignorant naivety, warms up to scary Mr. Kleezak (Philip Baker Hall), even while Luke's parents cower in terror. This time. Luke gets away with it because he has always been portrayed as dumb. I question how much longer that can go on. Perhaps it's because I know the actor playing Luke is incredibly smart, well above average, but after two seasons, it's starting to feel a little fake when Luke says things like "I'm still growing into my tongue", even as I laugh. I'm not saying Luke should change fundamentally, but it's time to start growing him up.

     And those are my only complaints about last night's Modern Family. In general, it is a very funny show. While at times it borders on unbelievability, for the most part, the humor is good enough to whitewash any flaws. In fact, had I not waited half a day and let my feelings on the episode simmer, it is likely I would not have found even those couple of criticisms above to complain about. Great main cast, fun guest stars, zany situations, and a real heart make Modern Family far better than most sitcom offerings.

     For instance, last night, I absolutely loved the way Phil (Ty Burrell) and Claire (Julie Bowen) are terrified of Mr. Kleezak, though they have no logical reason to be. Even better, I think they realize how silly their fear is, but stick with it anyway because they are more comfortable with the status quo than risking an upset. Cam's reluctance to let niece Haley (Sarah Hyland) babysit his infant daughter was highly relatable. When do you trust family just because they're family, and where do you draw the line? Those are just two examples, off the top of my head, that prove just how well this show works in context.

     Watch Modern Family Wednesday nights at 9 p.m. ET on ABC.

Article first published as TV Review: Modern Family - "Boys' Night" on Blogcritics.

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