Let's Shake Some Squee - Second Chance, the Pilot !

[aragarna]

So, in case you've missed it in the aftermath of Christmas dinner(s), Fox unexpectedly released on Christmas day the Second Chance Pilot, aka, A Suitable Donor.

Full disclosure, I might not be completely objective in my reviews of this show, as the simple view of Tim induces a large burst of joy in me. But reviews aren't supposed to be objective and proven scientific facts. After all, any review only reflects the views of the person watching... And this was just as true for White Collar, after all.


So, yes, the premise is, hum, quite classic, the science is full of WTF (huh he's in a tank of water with no breather, but he's conscious and he doesn't drown ?!), and the plot full of convenient brush-over (how in the world do they take him from the tank, dress him up and put him in his bed?! - Yes, I'm the kind of girl who is bothered by stuff like this).

But hey, there's TIM !!! Tim in nicely cut suits, Tim with a great haircut, Tim creating a new character! Duval is FBI, Duval is a coach! "Super Dad" they called him. :D Oh boy Duval's in danger! Don't you dare hurt my Tim! Oh but Duval is also super badass! And a good guy! And he's smart!
(on a side note, I have to admit that Peter Burke totally spoiled me with his ideals of Justice and doing the right things. I have very high expectations for any LEO now, so Duval has quite big shoes to fill...)

This is just a pilot, so it's laying the ground for different plot lines. But as a first impression, I feel mostly reassured (in addition to be super happy to see Tim again :D ). Sure, it doesn't have the brilliance in writing of White Collar, The Good Wife of Fargo, but it's has some real potential, mostly in the exploration of the character interactions.

In that regard, I particularly enjoyed the intro scene, between Duval, Jimmy and Gracie. You can feel the father/son tension and resentment, but also a genuine bond between grandfather and granddaughter. I almost wish we could explore it more before Jimmy died.

Oh and I almost forgot to mention, Rob Kazinsky sure has a lovely smile. :)

If it lives up to its potential, Second Chance should be a decent show, one that I will have a genuine pleasure to follow. I'm already looking forward to see Tim developing a new character, and see how the odd family interactions will build. Oh and also, the biggest question of all, which has been bothering me ever since they started promoting the show: What will be Jimmy's new name?!

Comments

[nieseryjna.livejournal.com]

I was getting into the pilot with mixed feelings, the premise is as you mentioned quite classic. And seeing Peter...tfu! Tim playing a new character and FBI agent again... But so far so good. I wan't get into the doubts of the plot and some questions that should remain unanswered...like the tank..

However it was fun to watch, the twin speak interesting element, and Duval was perfect :) Maybe because he was Tim... although seeing him in the open space office made for mixed feelings - someone dared to demote him!! I'm so open to see what it will be become.

Ha I did wander too what will be Jimmy's new name. Duval will be in twins space soon looking for him...

Oh I think I need new icon... are you up for making some from second chance?

[aragarna.livejournal.com]

LOL about Tim in the open space. Didn't think of that. ;)
Though actually I'm glad that despite being an FBI agent, Duval is not Peter. Of course he still has Tim's appearance, but I don't see Peter when I see him.

Which is part of the pleasure of a new show. I love seeing Tim being different characters. (and of course, he's perfect! ;) )

Sure, I'll make icons. :) Those holidays have been annoyingly full of family and friends so far and I don't have a minute to myself except in the middle of the night, so it's not easy to find a moment to make art, or write, or even rewatch the episode! But yes, icons are definitely on the list. :)

[nieseryjna.livejournal.com]

Yaay for icons (in free time, no rush).

I also did one other thing that I couldn't with White Collar, looking closely to the backgrounds and thinking where they were filming this and that... it's soo much fun when you know the place they did it!

[aragarna.livejournal.com]

Oh that's right! Oh wait - the Pilot was shot in Dallas actually... Unless they reshot some stuff, there shouldn't be much of Vancouver there...

But you're right, it's so fun! I'm just back from a movie and I recognized a scene I had stumbled upon 2 years ago on my way to work. It was a protest again the Iran regime LOL you can imagine my initial confusion before I saw the camera LOL It all makes sense now. :)

[nieseryjna.livejournal.com]

oh I forgot they shot it in Dallas... I was sure that scene when Jimmy is driving thru town, it looked a lot like Broadway St. in Vancouver! But yeah it's soo much fun. In Deadpool trailer I got this aha moment - I drove thru that bridge few times!

[icecreammilktea.livejournal.com]

I haven't watched the pilot, but I definitely enjoyed reading your review. Hahahaha. Indeed - who says reviews have to be objective?

Hope the show gets better and better!! :D

[aragarna.livejournal.com]

Heee well, it is an honest review - I'm not lying saying I enjoyed it - and that doesn't mean I don't see the flaws, but I have reasons to enjoy it that might not work for everyone.

It goes for other shows or films. I enjoy watching Tim, George Clooney or Gabriel Byrne act, so I might find their films or shows entertaining while other people wouldn't. There can be other reasons too. One of the things that drew me to White Collar originally is that it shows so much of NYC, and I had just come back from my first visit there when I discovered the show.

Well, all this to say, that reviews are never objective. But objectively it remains a decent show, though it might be too early to truly judge.

[icecreammilktea.livejournal.com]

Yep, I completely agree. We all have our likes and dislikes after all - I love h/c for some inexplicable reason, but I can see why it may not have the same appeal for others, and that's fine. Some fics though - obviously you don't need to like h/c to like 'em :)

"Objectivity" in this sense is probably just considering things from someone else's perspective - the average person without the same biases as you do, I guess.

How nice to have something to look forward to weekly!

[joy2190.livejournal.com]

Definitely the best xmas gift. I can't wait for the next episode.

[aragarna.livejournal.com]

Yes, that was such a nice surprise! And definitely worht staying up tills 3 am! :D

[pipilj.livejournal.com]

Agree with you about the tank, it looked spooky with the body suspended in mid air. The pilot seemed quite nice, waiting to see the chemistry between the father and son.

[aragarna.livejournal.com]

Yes, I think the best part of it will be the interesting interactions between the characters.