Summer 2010 shows pt. II

Covert Affairs Action-suspense-drama
Seen 3 episodes

It's impossible to start watching Covert Affairs without thinking about Alias. Back in those days Jennifer Garner became the most interesting spy on TV, but she didn't really have that much competition. These days we've seen the entire Alias from the mind of J.J. Abrams, we've seen eight seasons of high quality MI5 spy-action from Britain in Spooks and maybe most of all we've seen the quirky Chuck trying to figure out a spy-life among his nerd-friends at Buy More. It's not easy coming up with a new spy show, while being both high-tech enough to capture the society of this time meanwhile interesting enough on the human level.

Piper Perabo (once upon accelerated into fame thanks to the 2000 hit Coyote Ugly and recently reviewed on the sister-blog in a supporting role in The Prestige from 2006) plays our new spy-heroine, Annie Walker. Her partner, who mostly helps her in a James Bond's Q-kind of way thanks to his blindness, is Auggie Anderson played by Christopher Gorman (Jake 2.0). Annie recruited into CIA isn't just thanks to her skills, as there's some unknown to her connections through her ex-boyfriend. Pulling the strings are the married CIA-mid level bosses Arthur and Joan Campbell, played by Peter Gallagher (The O.C.) and Kari Matchett.

Covert Affairs have several problems. First out it feels like amateur hour, whether you compare it to Alias, Spooks or even Chuck. Secondly the need of pairing a rookie agent with a blind man is, not surprisingly, too much to take serious. Thirdly the family life of Annie reflecting on her cases, is just annoying and without a larger purpose. The same can easily be said about the marriage problems of the Campbells. There are several other issues I could address, but I think I've made my point.

They can still manage to take it to a more professional level in just a few episodes, excusing them self by pointing towards their lead being a rookie agent, polish their out-of-spy angles to more entertaining TV and maybe manage their arch story with Annie's ex-boyfriend in a better way. then they might be onto something, as it's still a spy action-adventure-show and who doesn't love them? On the other hand they might have lost all their viewers before then, or even worse... got canned. Barely a three thus far. It doesn't promise well for the Covert Affairs of Annie Walker.

Rizzoli & Isles Cop-drama-action-suspense
Seen 3 episodes

I don't mind female detectives, I don't mind female examiners and I don't mind a feminine look at the entire way cop-shows are handled, but I do mind cliches, weak dialogues and ordinary cases flushed with less than ordinary drama.

Angie Harmon (Law & Order) is Jane Rizzoli, the tough-as-nail, non-feminine detective more likely to play with guns than dress up. Sarah Alexander (NCIS, Dawson's Creek) is Maura Isles, the know-it-all medical examiner with a new date every night, nice dresses even at murder-sites and the polar opposite of her friend.

Together they are... Well. They are quite boring to be honest, but I guess the creators aimed for being a good team. At least according to the poster. I suggest you rather spend your time on something else, but that's me.

The Glades Cop-drama-action-suspense
Seen the pilot

A Chicago cop is thrown out of the force thanks to a shooting and a wrongful accusation of having an affair with his captain's wife. He joins the state police in a small town in Florida, and once again we have a show about a big city cop adjusting to life in a small society.

Matt Passmore have got the role as our new hero, and unfamiliar to Passmore from earlier I'm anything but impressed. He managed to crush any interest I might have had in this show, in just an ordinary short pilot. While the intro-story was average at best, the attitude, lacking charisma and overall acting ability of the leading man made this an easy show to cut from my schedule.

Huge Drama-teen-family
Seen the pilot

Huge takes us with Nikki Blonsky (Hairspray) as Willamina, to a wight-loss camp at Wellness Canyon. This TV-show is based on the novel with the same title, by Sasha Paley. As usual with ABC Family shows, it's all about the good in people. No surprise when it takes place on such a spirit-camp, and body-image issues are a major part of this show while pitching the usual about inner qualities.

I'm probably not as shallow as Hal, and I really don't need the usual supermodel-wannabee-actresses to enjoy a show. I do however need an interesting storyline, and from watching the pilot it all feels like I could predict the entire season. I know overweight is a major problem in USA, and I bet they are desperate to get a show able to gain focus towards it, preach against bullying and land a couple of new big role models in the wake of Precious.

Nikki Blonsky was both acting well and she was fun in Hairspray, and she also made a good impression during the pilot here. The script she got delivered didn't hold the same standard, and it all became to boring and predictable for me.