Well, four episodes in and I’m noticing a disturbing trend to the show - one that I think might endanger it’s chances at a second season.
Reaper is an hour-long comedy/drama with very little ongoing story concepts or multi-episode arcs. In the midst of Battlestar Gallactica, Heroes, Lost, Pushing Daisies, Journeyman, and even Chuck… this stands out as a real problem in my eyes.
The trend establishing (as far as I can see it) with this season is that audiences are tiring of contained stories that reset every week. Instead, viewers are driving towards multi-episode arcs, particularly those that have very long reaching impacts. True, Reaper is only four shows into it’s first season, however by this point all of its major competitors have already launched plot lines that will stretch the entire year.
Combine this episodic nature with a very canned structure inside the story - I’m not sure it can survive. I’ve seen the same pattern emerge in every episode so far and the only long-term plot line that is anywhere in sight is the burgeoning romance between Sam (Bret Harrison) and Andi (Missy Peregrym) - and there just isn’t a lot there, in my opinion. The writing is sharp, the direction is good, acting is more than capable, but the way in which the show is structured may ultimately lead to its demise.
Am I being unfair? Judging it TOO SOON? I don’t know - but it’s losing me as a viewer… and considering this was one of my highest expectations of the new shows… it’s disquieting… Opinions?
This post was Authored by John Gonzalez, Our Resident Authority on all things Reaper
Comments
I have to agree with you. Unfortunately, “Reaper” lost me after their second episode. Maybe I was being to quick to leave the show but I didn’t find it as interesting as it could have been. They really need a deeper story arch behind the episodes like “Supernatural”. As for Sam’s and Andi’s “romance”… well I don’t feel it. It feels like something the writers want but the characters are just not compatible with each other.
Anyway, you are not alone in your thinking.
To me, “Reaper” is one of those series that you watch only because it is on and you forget really quickly about the episode. Yes, it can be interesting but there isn’t much of anything in the show itself to keep you interested for a long time. It’s kind of like they are trying to pull a “CSI” or “Law in Order”, but to me a show like this can’t pull it off as well.
Im still enjoying it, and like how there isnt too much ‘in depth’ thought, its got some on-going story lines, but basically they dont get in the way of the fun.
…and the show doesnt seem to be focused on the die hard, “I need multiple story arcs”, serious story line type things…you never know, it may be leading towards that, but we wont know until the show progress’ along
I agree. I liked the first episode, the second one seemed like a copy of the first one. The third will be better! Nope, same stuff. I hate shows that return to status quo at the end. Come on!!!! Multi-story arc!!! And I dont mean a two-part episode! Even Supernatural started with such a story - finding dad and the demon. Here, nothing! And what kind of idiot would still be afraid of asking a girl out, when she obviously likes him too.
Maybe I’ll watch a few more episodes.
Though, most of the new shows are bad, except Pushing Daisies, thats the only one that has to survive.