DonS's TV Reviews

I was surprised to see some of the negative reviews on this show and how polarized the reviews are from great to awful. I have now watched the first four episodes and feel a little perspective is in order here. First, I don't like 80% of the movies and TV shows out there because they are not well written or well performed. I go for quality. I have been a movie fan for several decades and know good drama when I see it. No, I don't watch dramas because they have a bunch of cussing or sex. And that is not what this show is about at all if you get past the first episode.

This is a story about a real person confronting their personal demons, their way of life and their lack of faith. The first episode was a little over the top at the beginning with the sex scene and other items but this was what the writers had to do to set up her character quickly. She was really messed up except for how she does her job. In later episdoes, there has been very little overt sex and a lot less drinking. Yes, she still cusses up a storm.

Someone was upset because they think this show meanders and there is no "saving." That person lives on the planet Pluto. This is not "Touched By An Angel" where a miracle happens every 60 minutes. This is real life. And in real life with someone as messed up as Grace, changes will not come quick or easy. If they did, the story would not be believable. If you are not into high quality drama that has a lot of subtlety and nuances, then this show is not for you. If you hear a character cuss, drink and have sex with their married detective partner and can't see past that to the story that is actually going on, this show is not for you. Those are just to remind you that she has a long way to go and keep you wondering what will get to her.

Over four episodes, I have noticed small changes in Grace that are a direct result of the angel's intervention. There is something happening to her but that does not mean she is a different or "saved" person yet. She may never be saved in the way some people define it. There is a back story on her that is very slowly emgerging. Thank goodness the writers didn't fall finto the trap of doing a long flashback filling us in on her whole history. That would have ruined this.

There is a lot of mystery here concerning how she got to be the way she is, how she is dealing with ever turn and twist the angel throws at her, what is developing between her and the prisoner who the angel is also working with and more. This is about the true test of faith for people who don't have it (or don't think they do). The real story here unfolds between Grace and her interactions with her best friend the medical examiner, the prisoner and the angel.

Holly Hunter is one of the five best actresses on the planet. She does not pick everyday roles that hundreds of lesser actresses could play. Look at her bio. Did you see The Piano? Raising Arizona? This is a movie quality drama on TV and there is nothing else like it.

I saw the first episode and thought it was a cute premise but wasn't too sure about the show. The concept was interesting but it seemed to be a little too on the surface about this nerd and spy stuff. I tuned in the next week and there was more to it then the third show tonight really took it to another level. Why? Because underneath the cute gimmick of this story the writers are starting to dig into real relationship and feeling issues. After the first episode, I thought there were trying to do something in the style of Get Smart where there was nothing serious or real going on. But taking this gimmick concept and giving it something deeper creates a very interesting and compelling element. Frankly, if this was only about some zany spy caper featuring a nerd and a pretty woman I would have been long gone. It's not the action itself that is drawing me to this series. It's the relationship and personal stuff that has become a part of the running story line and is woven right into the middle of the action scenes. The only reason this all works is because the acting is so good. Sarah can play the surface type hot spy woman and then suddenly go deep and make you feel something. So I find myself looking forward to this show to see what happens between Chuck and Sarah and how Chuck is handling this unexpected hand he has been dealt.

Once the show set up the full premise in the first thirty minutes, then it became magical. The key to this show is the relationship between Ned, the guy with the special powers, and Chuck, the woman he has always loved. When both of them are on the screen together, it is simply amazing. You can feel the energy coming right out of the TV and grabbing you. How unique can you get? Two people who clearly love each other but they can't ever touch each other. When you strip away touching, kissing and the other normal physical aspects of romance, you are left with the pure essence of it. And it takes two incredible actors to express these feelings in this way. The story lines involve quirky who dunnits and many interesting, well acted characters who surround the two key actors. If you are looking for something on the more positive, optimistic side and are somewhat romantic, you will love this show. If you tend to be cynical or can't get into something that has a fantasy and whimisical element to it, then the show is not for you. One of the best shows on TV (and that includes cable).