On New, Summer Shows

[gonzai]

Finished watching the new batch of summertime shows that debuted in the past week. Initial thoughts: 2 positive, 1 not.

First up, I didn't care for 'Rizzolli & Isles'. For one thing, the show was billed as female buddies. What was on the screen was the Angie Harmon show. Isles barely appeared. And I've never heard of 'buddies' who don't know the other has a pet. Throw in the fact that it's very difficult to write a medical examiner as an active investigator and I have to think the show will stay 'all about Rizzolli'. And, in that form, it's stock crime drama with nothing different to recommend it.

Second up, 'Haven'. I was so excited for this show, I forgot it existed until my f-list started talking about it. Oops. DVRed a rerun of the pilot to correct the error. And so far, it was an error to forget the show. The pilot was, of course, mostly basic character sketching and plot planting, but the show was well set up, a season-long story arc (or two) is ready to go and I already adore the newspaper guys. Looks promising.

Lastly, we watched 'Covert Affairs' last night. Was uninterested by the (nonstop) promos, but gave it a shot anyway. It's off to a very good start. Exciting but not nonstop/overdone exciting, the characters are well defined, and the chronic conflicts established. I'm gonna be an Auggie fan, I see that coming even if he doesn't. (Though I do find him a little too good to be true, given the comparatively short time he's had to get used to his situation.) The only thing I really didn't care for was the marital squabbling and spying between the two supervisors. Bleacch on that. Could be a good one.

Comments

[davidoflondon.livejournal.com]

Saw the pilot to Covert Affairs yesterday thought it was OK, but a little irritated by the two senior CIA people's argument about whether he was faithful or not. Will watch next week and see but not put it on my "keeper" list yet :)

Not seen others yet.

[jslinder.livejournal.com]

Rizzoli and Isles - I'll watch it because I watch pretty much anything with Angie Harmon, and Sasha is a nice plus, although I agree with you on balance.

Haven - A lot more promising than I expected, but they could have skipped the FBI angle (unless it comes in later) and figured out something to keep her local - hopefully without duplicating Eureka). I still think its Eureka with werewolves, but am inclined to give it the benefit of the doubt. No idea what it has to do with the Colorado Kid tho.

Covert Affairs - Eh. Other than Auggie, none of the supporting characters appeal. Piper as the lead seems too perfect an agent to be likable or even suspension of disbeleivable as well as the premise of the DPD. That said, it will stay on the DVR because I have plenty of space.

Much love tho for new Warehouse 13 (awesome start), Leverage, Unnatural History, Eureka (loved the gamechanger) and White Collar (damn it now they have me wondering about Dana!)

[gonzai55.livejournal.com]

With Haven, I'm thinking the FBI is involved because either 1) her boss is a Havenite (is he the cause of the road collapses?) or 2) the FBI is looking for Havenites who can be used for spying/weaponization/etc. We shall see.

I had stopped watching Eureka early in the 3rd season, it just wasn't doing it for me anymore...but I liked the premiere. They have me back, at least for now. Warehouse 13 started off quick too, and I loved what they did with the subtitles this week, but the Staite/Maher thing felt like stunt casting. White Collar - I wonder if Dana having the box is Peter's idea. So he can keep Fowler away from it and monitor what Neil is up to.