TV Drama Research Homework - Pilot Reviews

Ripper Street

Network: BBC

Air Date: 30th December 2012

Pilot Summary: Following the infamous 'Jack the Ripper' murder cases in London, a trio of investigators, DI Edmund Reid (Matthew Macfadyen, also famous as Athos in the 2011 Three Musketeers), Detective Sargent Bennet Drake (Jerome Flynn, aka Sir Bron of the Blackwater from Game of Thrones) and the American doctor, Captain Homer Jackson (Adam Rothenburg, known for Mad Money and The Immigrant), investigate a Ripper-like death of a woman, convinced that its not a legitimate Ripper crime.

Pros: 

• The acting in this is fantastic, with even the support cast turning in convincing performances.
• The mystery is intriguing and gripping as well as good enough so as not to be predictable, whilst not being so complex that it loses the audience.
• The period costumes and set design is very well done, seeming very convincing.
• The hour-long format fits this drama as it allows for the mystery and plot to thicken.

Cons:

•  I felt that, even though the performances were excellent, the characters were not fully developed, so you have no real sense of what sort of person they are (which is expected to a degree by a pilot). This problem is especially relevant to the character of Drake, who isn't even given much to do in the introductory episode.
• The ending wrapped up far too quickly and conveniently, making it feel a bit jarring compared to the slow build up from the previous 50 minutes.

Worth Carrying On?: I believe that this drama is definitely worth continuing with, as I feel that the mystery is well constructed, so it isn't as predictable as similar crime dramas. I'm also interested in how the show carries on for the other series.

Would it Make the Top 10?: Regrettably, no. The show is very good but, after one episode, I cannot say that it's top 10-worthy.

Lucifer

Network: Fox (Amazon Prime Exclusive in the UK)

Air Date: January 25th 2016

Pilot Summary: Lucifer Morningstar (Tom Ellis), also known as the King of Hell, Satan or The Devil, has retired from ruling the underworld, choosing to dwell on Earth, in LA, as a playboy-like bachelor. All is good for him until his friend is murdered in front of him and he follows the investigator Chloe Decker (Lauren German) trying to solve the murder of his friend.

Pros: 

• The show has a fantastic tone, feeling a lot like Constantine with how it presents the demonic and magical elements of the show but dropping its grunge for a more LA-like playboy feel, even down to the visual backdrops and hip-hop-like soundtrack.
• Tom Ellis is absolutely fantastic in the leading role, managing to expertly manage the devil's charm and charisma, as well as his deep evilness.
• The show has a fantastic pace, moving fast to fit its tone, whilst allow you to get to know the characters and for the plot to thicken.

Cons:

• The 'crime drama' aspect of the show didn't fit in with the fantastical characters in it, however this may just be an issue with the pilot in particular.
• The initial episode, in my eyes, failed to fully embrace the mystical side of its storytelling, with only a few glimpses at Lucifer's powers.

Worth Carrying On?: I am definitely going to carry on with this show. It has a great charisma and sense of fun to it that just makes me crave it.  

Would it Make the Top 10?: Perhaps it will, as it is very similar to Constantine, which managed to make it, so perhaps it will.