OUTCAST For Not Liking This Show?

Article first published as OUTCAST Review on Seat42F.

Robert Kirkman has already proven he is a master of morally ambiguous horror storytelling with The Walking Dead, my hands-down favorite currently running television series (despite the fact that I hate zombies). Now, his second comic series reaches the screen with OUTCAST, premiering this Friday on Cinemax.

Cinemax is where HBO sends their more gruesome and gratuitous-violence-driven action series, so going in, one expects a more jarring experience than AMC manages to do with The Walking Dead. That expectation is met early on, and repeatedly throughout the first hour. There is bug eating and child punching and ooze spewing and all sorts of others things that make the series uncomfortable to watch.

But there are also really good characters, first and foremost Kyle Barnes (Patrick Fugit, Almost Famous, Full Circle). Kyle was abused as a child and has been plagued by literal demons ever since. They destroyed his mother (Julia Crockett, The Absence) and his marriage, leading him to seek a hermitic existence in a dilapidated house, fine with everyone believing he hurt his daughter (Chandler Head, A Walk in the Woods). After all, that’s preferable to dealing with a reality in which supernatural forces seem to be out to get him, right?

Kyle isn’t as alone as he’d like to be (assuming he really wants to be as alone as he proports). His sister, Megan (Wrenn Schmidt, Person of Interest), brings him groceries and attempts to engage him, even as her husband, Mark (David Denman, The Office), doesn’t trust Kyle around his niece (Callie Brook McClincy, The Originals) because of what Mark believes Kyle did. A neighbor, Norville (Willie C. Carpenter, Devious Maids), offers Kyle food and the use of his car. Reverend Anderson (Philip Glenister, Ashes to Ashes) wants Kyle to help him exorcise demons, knowing Kyle is good at it for some reason.

Will Kyle come out of his self-imposed isolation? He has that option, as police chief Giles (Reg E. Cathey, House of Cards) seems content to let Kyle work with Anderson, even when that takes Kyle into the houses of local children. Though, it’s unknown if Kyle’s ex-wife, Allison (Kate Lyn Sheil, House of Cards), would consider taking him back, or even if Kyle is the one who is staying away, and I do feel like Kyle isn’t going to be happy without his family, no matter how much evil he defeats.

Basically, this is a show about a huge war between our lowly hero, Kyle Barnes, and some pretty powerful forces of darkness that have taken an interest in him.

Even with all that, though, this show isn’t for me. I thought long and hard about why I won’t be watching OUTCAST past episode one. After all, while I admittedly hate zombies and do not watch zombie movies, I love The Walking Dead. I don’t like demons and possessions, either, and avoid those films, but unlike with Kirkman’s previous work, I’m not able to overcome the grossness inherent in the genre to enjoy the story. Why?

It’s not the performances, but it could be the writing. While there is something relatable in The Walking Dead, it’s lacking in OUTCAST. You may never want to go through what the characters in the zombie apocalypse go through, but you can relate to them and understand their quandary. To me, though, I don’t find that same connection to Patrick. His worldview is just too far removed. It’s hard to say why exactly that is, but I just can’t get into this show.

If, however, unlike me, you enjoy The Exorcist, this is a deeper, more complex take on a similar story, with a lot more going on, and every bit as much gross stuff as that popular movie. OUTCAST premieres this Friday, June 3^rd, on Cinemax.

Life On Mars: The Complete Collection lands on DVD

     Many Americans are already familiar with Life On Mars as a network series in the states. But this DVD collection from Acorn Media, Life On Mars: The Complete Collection, is the superior, original British version, which aired on BBC America. The premise is the same in both. A modern day detective, Sam Tyler (John Simm, Doctor Who, Mad Dogs), is somehow mysterious transported to 1973, where he works on the same police squad he serves on in his time. Sam is a by-the-book type of cop, but this clashes poorly with his new boss, Gene Hunt (Philip Glenister, Ashes to Ashes, Cranford). While Sam solves the retro crimes and tries to adapt, he also is tempted back to the 21st century by strange voices.

      One episode shorter than the American remake, both are quite similar, though the original handles the complicated plots better. The biggest difference between the two is that the UK version builds towards a planned ending, while the American remake had to quickly and unexpectedly wrap things up.

     It's smart to add the time travel aspect to the concept, as it sets Life On Mars apart from other police procedurals, as well as period shows. Instead, Life On Mars doesn't choose a genre, but bounces between reality and the supernatural in a wholly original way. Add to that a fish-out-of-water element as Sam tries to go with the days of solving cases without technology, as well as a love story, and there's a lot going on. Not to mention, Sam isn't sure if he is dreaming, has gone crazy, or has actually traveled in time. This series is both great fun, and intriguing drama.

     As if all of that was not enough, Sam begins to wonder if he even wants to go back, should that option present itself. Many people in this premise would spend all of their energy searching for a way to get back to their own time. But Sam is tempted to stay by the beautiful Annie (Liz White, The Fixer), and isn't sure he's better off in the future. After all, once he makes the necessary changes to the way he does his job, life isn't so bad in the 1970's, and his old life wasn't that fantastic anyway. This is a really interesting question, and a bold approach at handling the central story.

     Life On Mars is full of references and allusions, beginning with the title, which points to a David Bowie song. Robert Louis Stevenson's The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is surely an influence, with the word Hyde appearing in the 1970s world. The Wizard of Oz also pops up frequently, not surprising, as the themes of being thrust into a different, hard to understand environment are the same for Dorothy and Sam. Plus, the final episode features the song "Over the Rainbow," and there is a character named Frank Morgan, the same name as the actor who played the Wizard in the film.

     The eight-disc DVD set features all sixteen episodes of Life On Mars, as well as audio commentaries for season one, a featurette on the music in the series, a look at production design, and a half hour focusing on the series ending. Also included are a forty-five minute documentary about the show, an hour look at the lawman, an interview with director Bharat Nalluri, a set tour, and outtakes. In short, this may by the richest collection of extras on any Acorn Media release, and definitely make the value of the collection rise. It is a must buy.

     Both series of Life On Mars are also available packaged individually on Blu-ray.

     Check out Life On Mars: The Complete Collection, currently available on DVD.

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

Article first published as DVD Review: Life On Mars: The Complete Collection on Blogcritics.