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The Evidence: Pilot (late review)
I caught this episode when it aired a couple of weeks ago, and I hadn't planned on writing anything up about it. In fact, even after seeing the episode, I wasn't so sure I wanted to write about it. But since we've gotten a few requests, I figured it was time to post some of my thoughts on the pilot episode of this new series.I actually talked about this show a bit on the last APB podcast with Ryan, siting some of my issues with it. I agreed with Ryan's assessment of Orlando Jones -- he deserves a show. He's come a long way from 7-UP commercials, and I really think he should have what it takes to lead or co-lead a series, though I think drama's not his forte, no matter how many quirky lines he's handed.
The thing that disappointed me about The Evidence was its misleading title
and premise. We are indeed presented, at the start of the episode, with several "items" that one could call
evidence: a flower arrangement, a severed finger with ring attached, and a dead body among other things. But the show
tells you that, presented with these items, the viewer should be able to figure out who the killer is or how the crime
was committed. The thing is, that's not at all true -- they do nothing
to help you figure out what's about to happen.
Take the severed finger, for example. We see the ring -- a
compass ring -- given to Cole and he puts it on. Viewers are supposed to be tense with anticipation as to what will
happen next -- will it be his finger that's severed, or will he pass it on? Pass it on he does, and eventually Bishop's
finger is the one that's cut off. But did this lend anything at all to the crime at hand (no pun intended)? No. Not at
all.
One interesting thing I found about this show was the use of humor and how the characters react to
it. In most other shows similar to The Evidence's feel, when you have a
character deliver a witty line, one that's meant for the viewers to laugh at, the straight man of the show usually
doesn't react at all. In real life, such jokes would be laughed at by any somewhat normal person, and in this show
that's just what happens. Characters laugh at the jokes, and while it's a little odd sometimes to see that, it makes
sense! Sadly, the viewers don't laugh so much.
Of course a show like this has to have a recurring, major
plot to follow, and it's presented to us at the episode's conclusion. Rob Estes' character, Cole, is still searching
for the killer of his wife and has a garage full of "evidence" to help him. Perhaps that is where the show's title really comes into play? Anyway, what was supposed to be a dramatic
reveal was something I guessed much earlier on.
I haven't caught another episode since the Pilot, and
honestly I'm not sure I'm going to bother. Has it gotten better? Are we missing out? Sound off in the comments
below!
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