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Don't fear the 'Reaper'
If you're like me, dear readers, you've noticed a shift in the tone in prime-time television this year. It's not that über-serious drama has left the airwaves entirely, but a new breed of breezy, fun-minded shows have dominated the freshman class of shows. Reaper just might be the most pure fun of them all: it doesn't want to change the world, it simply wants to entertain your socks right off. And after a stellar premiere, this week's episode kept the momentum (and the charm) going at a devilish pace. (Get it? Devilish? I'm here all week, try the veal!)
Having established the slacker-as-Beezelbub's-Boba-Fett in last week's premiere episode, the show now turned to what a typical day in the life of Sam, our protagonist, will entail. This week's escaped soul was one Arthur Ferry, former utilities trader, now lighting-storm producing demon. A wooden box appears early in the episode, constantly following our hero Sam despite his best efforts to dodge the box, and thereby dodging his responsibility. (Been a heckuva year for boxes, hasn't it? Between Andy Samberg, Peter Petrelli, and now Sam, boxes are having the Best Year Ever.)
Sam's vessel to combat such an enemy? Why, a remote-controlled monster truck, of course. The concept of an ever-evolved vessel for Sam to combat his weekly foe is a great conceit, and one I look forward to seeing each week. First a dustbuster, now a remote-controlled car: by season's end, I'm hoping he's upgraded his bounty hunter skills enough to earn a bazooka. But knowing the typical budget on a CW show, we're probably only going to see him wield a Super Soaker.
The electrical-based powers of this week's demon served to illuminate Sam's status: namely, that he's currently static. One of the interesting elements of this show is that the Devil, while standing in for all that is wrong and impure in the universe, also stands in as Sam's life coach. Sam is standing still, stunted, unable (or unwilling) to move his life from its current, undemanding status into a life of purpose. The irony of irony is that it takes the Devil in order to unleash Sam's positive potential. After all, at least for now, the work that Sam is doing falls under a relatively positive moral position. It's difficult to argue that Sam is less of a person now than when we met him in the opening minutes of pilot.
If this changes as the season goes on...which is to say, it Sam's tasks enter a more grey area, well, this show could change from mere frivolity into something a lot more interesting. But that's all in the future, a future I'm not sure the show's willing to even contemplate, nevermind execute. Luckily, even if the show does not morph from its current modus operandi, what we have is an extremely funny show with an even bigger heart. The unending affection Sam shows his best friend, Bert (aka, "Sock"), and his mother, would fill a sweeps period of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition episodes. ("Hulk need to smash?" might turn into my go-to phrase when my friends need to work out some anger.) This affection is abundantly demonstrated and completely earned, giving the show an emotional bedrock in which to ground the fantastical premise of the show.
In fact, perhaps the most unrealistic thing about this show? Andi, the love interest, is almost TOO good, TOO hot, TOO willing to jump Sam's heretofore unmotivated, geeky, albeit sweet, booty. She's cut from the There's Something About Mary cloth: a woman that embodies the ideals of all men who can't fathom why supermodels can't act like one of the guys. There's not a lot of work for Sam to do in order to make out with Andi, which both lowers the stakes of their potential romance and makes me wonder why my protagonist can stand toe-to-toe with demons and yet not ask out a girl clearly interested in him.
Then again, that might be exactly the irony that Reaper wishes to convey. Bravo, Reaper, you've sucked me into your lightning rod of awesome once again.
Did this week's episode match the heights of the pilot? Is the Devil the Tony Robbins of the Underworld? And with what kind of vessel would you like to see Sam combat evil?
For more TV reviews and analysis, check out Ryan at Boob Tube Dude.
I was mucho disappointed with the second episode. The pilot rocked, it took half an hour to get this thing going tonight at least and I was actually bored. And am I crazy... The pilot was definitely filmed in a Canadian Tire ... the Work Bench has changed locations and is now a Home Depot? I missed the snappy dialogue from the pilot.
opuscat | Oct 2, 2007 8:10:29 PM | #you kinda wonder how much input kevin smith had into the dialogue of the pilot and what he does to get a "consultant" credit in this episode. the hulk mention? im pretty sure the zamboni scene from teh pilot was his idea, and some dialogue seemed kevin smith pop-culture.
i agree, this episode felt slower and less "hip."
the vessle seemed dumb, too. shoulda been bunny slippers or a blanket. something that is associated with static.
also, did anyone else notice that framing was off? half the time the tops of the characters heads were trimmed off.
wunderin | Oct 3, 2007 6:40:10 AM | #gc | Oct 3, 2007 7:46:37 AM | #
re: The change of location - I'm suspecting that they probably used a (slightly modified) Canadian Tire in Vancouver for both the interior and exterior shots in the pilot, but then built a set for at least the interiors once the show was picked up. I think it's quite common to do this - i.e. use a location for the pilot, and then build sets for the ongoing series - for budgetary reasons.
gc | Oct 3, 2007 7:48:49 AM | #I thought that the second episode was as enjoyable as the pilot. The only thing that seemed lame was the remote control car being the vessel of the week. I know that the remote ended up as a lightning rod, but I hope that future episodes will be more clever.
I'm still loving Sock and Ben-- they make the perfect sidekicks. I wish they would give an Emmy nomination for Ray Wise's excellent portrayal of the Devil.
I really like Andi's character, but I hope that the writers don't keep Sam's secret from her for very long. If Sam can tell Sock and Ben about the deal with the Devil, then maybe Andi won't freak out about it either.
Paige | Oct 3, 2007 8:46:42 AM | #I like that the Devil isn't pure evil. The moral grey area in which he works is what makes this show more than just a joke. The last 3 minutes truly captured the heart of the show... When the devil sends Sam to work in the garden centre, but then arranges for Andi to be there as well... these are the moments that gives more to the viewers than just a laugh, there is a depth to the characters that I like. And yet the comedy is still there with the devil causing a car accident with a shopping cart.
Mandy | Oct 3, 2007 8:52:35 AM | #Excellent review! You hit on all of the reasons Reaper is my favorite new show of the season. I am actually glad it is on the CW, because ratings expectations are relatively low, so it has a better chance of sticking around.
I love the clerk at the "epartment" of Motor Vehicles. "You must be a real tool." Then, last night, "I am amazed you too haven't been killed yet." Keep them coming!
And I am glad Andi is unpretentious and just as much a devious slacker as the boys. "Alledgedly hit him with a paint can - there were no witnesses." Great stuff.
Andrew | Oct 3, 2007 10:23:33 AM | #It happens every year: Networks jumping on the bandwagon of last year's big hit. Heroes' band of ordinary people having new powers/duties thrust upon them, has thus spawned Chuck, Reaper, Journeyman, Pushing Daisies, and Bionic Woman. Did I leave anyone out?
If history is any guide, we better get ready to say good-bye to at least half of the above. The viewing public will not support too many shows in the same category. Right now, I would opt for Reaper over Chuck, because Reaper has chosen to focus on comedy and done a better job of it.
Last year, after Lost, we got The Nine and Six Degrees (unrelated people thrust together by circumstance). Both tanked early.
Take your pick | Oct 3, 2007 10:28:18 AM | #I wouldn't say that "Reaper", "Chuck" and "Bionic Woman" are retreads of/responses to "Heroes" by any means. I think they're all good shows, and I will watch both "Reaper" and "Chuck", because to me, their premises are different enough, and the characters engaging enough, that I enjoy both shows. I'll watch "Bionic Woman" because a) I loved the Lindsay Wagner original and b) I love Strong Woman Action Shows c) Katee Sackhoff kicks major a$$ and d) Battlestar Galactica alums are involved (including the aforementioned Sackhoff). What more could you want?
Back to "Reaper". This is a great show. I actually laughed out loud.
Siansonea | Oct 3, 2007 10:57:44 AM | #Thought the beginning of this episode was really slow, but I understood why. Hopefully, the writers are done with the "I don't want to be a bounty hunter" theme and have Sam accept his fate. That will definitely speed things up.
CW | Oct 3, 2007 12:24:33 PM | #The lighter side of Supernatural takes me away from House during commercials, and sometimes makes me forget to flip back.
That's a very good sign.
i noticed sam had less overt powers than in the pilot. i don't know if that was a budgetary thing or if the 'run from the vessel' sequence kinda replaced it this week
most important thing kept the same: ray wise's tremendous turn as the devil. reminds me a bit of john glover's devil in 'brimstone'
as for missy peregrym's andi, she's almost in the too good to be true territory--pretty, fun and slacker-compatible.
i wonder if one of sam's (and thus sock and ben) assignments will be to recapture her father down the line?
There is one character that I really miss.. and I wish would have been used through-out the whole season, and that is the little dog and his gang. It would have been great to have them just pop up out of nowhere and do there little bit.(remember the News Paper kid from "Better Off Dead")
Pat | Oct 3, 2007 2:55:34 PM | #I did notice that this episode of "Reaper" didn't quite match the wit and tempo of the Kevin Smith-helmed premiere. Hope he checks back in from time to time.
If there's no dimension to Hell's escapees other than crazed running around and causing havoc, I might tire quickly of this format -- even though I really like this cast.
Goph | Oct 3, 2007 3:58:05 PM | #Compare this show not against its pilot, but against the second show of what should have been the fourth year of Veronica Mars.
Or, if you must compare it against its pilot, note that the writers missed a second opportunity to explain the plot hole in this series that is a mile wide--that whole free will thing that they winked at in the pilot. Ugh!
Blue Oyster Cult | Oct 3, 2007 4:32:27 PM | #While the episode wasn't as good as the pilot ep. I thought that Reaper did a much better job of maintaining the tone of the pilot than say for eg. Chuck.
As long as the show maintains the tone of the show I'll stick with it. I'm sure it'll have some ups and downs but as long as the tone is there it'll be better than average IMO.
Rishi | Oct 3, 2007 7:40:49 PM | #Goph, good point about the dimensions of the escapees. It will be interesting if some are quieter, more calculating, harder to locate, and perhaps even a bit sympathetic.
Tammy | Oct 5, 2007 8:54:41 AM | #favorite new show!!!!
"A bloodied customer is not a happy customer"
saney | Oct 9, 2007 2:18:16 PM | #
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