We’re not quite done checking out this season’s new shows.
Crisis (NBC)-
Crisis is almost like NBC’s version of CBS’s Hostages. Not because it has the exact same premise, but because there is a similar feel to them. In this thriller, a bus of kids from a private school full of the children of America’s elite (the president’s son, the daughter of a Fortune 500 company, etc.) is kidnapped while on a school trip. The motivation for the kidnapping is similar to that of Emily’s motive on Revenge: specifically, the desire to avenge a ruined life. What makes this show interesting is that many people are not who they appear to be and the audience discovers this slowly. We learn a lot in the pilot, but I’m sure there is more to come. The kids need a bit more personality (and less standard teen pouting) to draw us in more. I’m sure NBC hopes this fares better than Hostages did.
Verdict: Has possibility, but I’m not convinced.
Mixology (ABC)-
This is sort of New Year’s Eve and Valentine’s Day in TV show form. (Or a remake of the last two seasons of How I Met Your Mother with people we don’t know.) The entire season takes place over one night with flashbacks, following ten strangers looking for love at a bar. I don’t like this format because it doesn’t feel like we’re ever making real progress with the characters or storyline. How much does a person change in a few hours? How invested can I be in any relationship when it is only a few hours old? Maybe I’m biased because I did not love New Year’s Eve and Valentine’s Day, but this was more irritating than interesting. (I am also torn between finding Vanessa Lengies annoying and endearing. She has a weird voice that can be grating at times, but she also seems so sweet.)
Verdict: No thank you.
Believe (NBC)-
I saw a poster for this in the subway and couldn’t help but wonder why they had chosen the picture they used. Basically it shows a picture of a girl with a tagline about how she can change the world. The plot here is that there’s a little girl with amazing abilities and people are trying to kidnap her to utilize her power. A convict is plucked from jail to redeem himself by protecting her. He’s not interested at first but he comes around. Well, it isn’t the worst new offering this season, but it isn’t the most revolutionary one either. I don’t really get why a convict would be the right choice for protecting a young girl, but presumably that would be explained at some point in the series. He’s the convict with a heart of gold–because that’s completely unheard of.
Verdict: Maybe try episode 2? (For curiosity’s sake?)
Night Shift (NBC)-
After ER, Grey’s Anatomy, and so many other medical dramas, it is hard to find new ground to cover in this genre. Unfortunately, Night Shift does not really manage it. The series Jordan Alexander, who has been moved to the night shift by the new director to help up its efficiency. The problem is that Jordan’s ex, TC Callahan, is not of the night shift doctors and though very talented, he does not believe in following the rules or listening to authority (which is why he was discharged from the army). At this point, Jill Flint (who you may recognize from Royal Pains) , who plays Jordan, is the most charming part of the show. TC is smug and arrogant like House (“House“) but without the charm, or at the very least, a good reason, to behave like such a jerk.
Verdict: Meh.
Well TV watchers, are there any shows you will be adding to your watch list?
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