What I'm Watching: Eastwick
So when I first heard about Fall 2009's plate of new shows, I can't say that Eastwick got my attention. The title was familiar, which I later learned was because of the John Updike novel and then the later movie adaptation, neither of which I've read/watched. But as I learned more about it, and heard that it was one of the better pilots out there this fall, I gave it a shot. After all, it IS a show about magic, so why not support it?
I didn't fall in love with it right away, I'll tell you that. The actor playing Van Horne felt a little too forced in his charismatic, whimsical actions, and really, no one seemed comfortable save for Rebecca Rominj's Roxie, who is just plain fun (also, I'm THRILLED with the casting of Roxie's daughter: the two REALLY LOOK like a mother and daughter!). But I'm not one to judge a show by its pilot, so I usually give a show at least four episodes before giving up. Since then, Eastwick seems to have found its stride. It's light and funny, with a sisterhood of women who have lives outside of each other and outside of their magic (which they're not entirely familiar with yet), and each episode is managing to stand-alone while also investigating the mystery of Van Horne. Who is he, what does he want with these women, and what does he want with the town of Eastwick? My guess? He's a demon. The rest, no clue.
I suspect readers of Updike's The Witches of Eastwick (did you know he wrote a sequel, The Widows of Eastwick? It doesn't appear to have gotten good reviews) or the movie adaptation of by the same name probably have all the answers. But I don't want to know. For a couple of reasons:
1) I'm not that invested in the show. It's good to watch for entertainment, to turn your brain off for a little bit, but given its timeslot and what seems to be a serious lack of advertising for it, which in turn affects the ratings, I suspect it won't see past its first season, let alone a full season pick up. We'll see.
2) While I enjoy the show and am engaged in the central mystery, I'm not so attached to the characters that I cringe when they do STUPID STUFF. Instead, I kind of laugh and shake my head and just wait to see what happens. Even in this past week's episode, "Fleas and Casserole," which had one particular character doing something REALLY STUPID, especially when she could've avoided said stupidity by using her power before the fact. Oh well.
Still, the show, while a bit predictable in places (I've already guessed who the daddy is. If you're watching, you know of which mysterious orphan stranger I speak), but surprising in others (they gave Penny a lover! How AWESOME!). And I really do like the dynamic between the women. Each is her own character, each brings something different to the table (literally and figuratively) and each is sympathetic in her own way. I wish we'd see a little more magic, but I suspect that once the show is up and running (meaning, it doesn't get canned), we'll see the women grow more into their power. More to the point, I think we'll see Van Horne instigating that discovery.
You'll notice the cast is a little pale, which is a shame. I'm not even noticing color in the background, and while one could make an argument that it's a small town, so it makes sense there wouldn't be a lot of diversity, it's not a good argument in this day and age. Even small towns like mine are more colorful than this. And even though the argument COULD be supported by the fact that the show's only snatch of diversity comes from Joanna, who MOVED there, even the actress is more exotic looking than ethnic (that's just the way her genes made her look: her mother is Korean and her father is German/Irish. Interesting combo!), which makes her fit in better with all the pallor. That said, I really like Lindsay Price's portrayal of Joanna, who is endearingly and realistically a word-vomiter who just can't stop saying embarrassing things around men. I can relate to that (and I do it around everyone). How about you?
Overview
Station: ABC
Time: Wednesdays @ 10:00 pm est
Status: Season One
Where to Start? Really, the show's pretty episodic, so you can jump in at any time. All you need to know is that Cat has Earth Magic and is dealing with a divorce; Roxie is psychic and keeps having visions of her neighbor stalking/murdering her; and Joanna, bless her heart, can make men do her bidding and is an investigative journalist seeking the truth about Darryl Van Horne, who owns EVERYTHING. And y'all, this show NEEDS help: even Jay Leno is beating it, so it's last in its timeslot. It's a decently entertaining show, so if you've got the time, give it a shot. Seriously. It needs help. :)
Website: http://abc.go.com/shows/eastwick
I didn't fall in love with it right away, I'll tell you that. The actor playing Van Horne felt a little too forced in his charismatic, whimsical actions, and really, no one seemed comfortable save for Rebecca Rominj's Roxie, who is just plain fun (also, I'm THRILLED with the casting of Roxie's daughter: the two REALLY LOOK like a mother and daughter!). But I'm not one to judge a show by its pilot, so I usually give a show at least four episodes before giving up. Since then, Eastwick seems to have found its stride. It's light and funny, with a sisterhood of women who have lives outside of each other and outside of their magic (which they're not entirely familiar with yet), and each episode is managing to stand-alone while also investigating the mystery of Van Horne. Who is he, what does he want with these women, and what does he want with the town of Eastwick? My guess? He's a demon. The rest, no clue.
I suspect readers of Updike's The Witches of Eastwick (did you know he wrote a sequel, The Widows of Eastwick? It doesn't appear to have gotten good reviews) or the movie adaptation of by the same name probably have all the answers. But I don't want to know. For a couple of reasons:
1) I'm not that invested in the show. It's good to watch for entertainment, to turn your brain off for a little bit, but given its timeslot and what seems to be a serious lack of advertising for it, which in turn affects the ratings, I suspect it won't see past its first season, let alone a full season pick up. We'll see.
2) While I enjoy the show and am engaged in the central mystery, I'm not so attached to the characters that I cringe when they do STUPID STUFF. Instead, I kind of laugh and shake my head and just wait to see what happens. Even in this past week's episode, "Fleas and Casserole," which had one particular character doing something REALLY STUPID, especially when she could've avoided said stupidity by using her power before the fact. Oh well.
Still, the show, while a bit predictable in places (I've already guessed who the daddy is. If you're watching, you know of which mysterious orphan stranger I speak), but surprising in others (they gave Penny a lover! How AWESOME!). And I really do like the dynamic between the women. Each is her own character, each brings something different to the table (literally and figuratively) and each is sympathetic in her own way. I wish we'd see a little more magic, but I suspect that once the show is up and running (meaning, it doesn't get canned), we'll see the women grow more into their power. More to the point, I think we'll see Van Horne instigating that discovery.
You'll notice the cast is a little pale, which is a shame. I'm not even noticing color in the background, and while one could make an argument that it's a small town, so it makes sense there wouldn't be a lot of diversity, it's not a good argument in this day and age. Even small towns like mine are more colorful than this. And even though the argument COULD be supported by the fact that the show's only snatch of diversity comes from Joanna, who MOVED there, even the actress is more exotic looking than ethnic (that's just the way her genes made her look: her mother is Korean and her father is German/Irish. Interesting combo!), which makes her fit in better with all the pallor. That said, I really like Lindsay Price's portrayal of Joanna, who is endearingly and realistically a word-vomiter who just can't stop saying embarrassing things around men. I can relate to that (and I do it around everyone). How about you?
Overview
Station: ABC
Time: Wednesdays @ 10:00 pm est
Status: Season One
Where to Start? Really, the show's pretty episodic, so you can jump in at any time. All you need to know is that Cat has Earth Magic and is dealing with a divorce; Roxie is psychic and keeps having visions of her neighbor stalking/murdering her; and Joanna, bless her heart, can make men do her bidding and is an investigative journalist seeking the truth about Darryl Van Horne, who owns EVERYTHING. And y'all, this show NEEDS help: even Jay Leno is beating it, so it's last in its timeslot. It's a decently entertaining show, so if you've got the time, give it a shot. Seriously. It needs help. :)
Website: http://abc.go.com/shows/eastwick