Welcome to Pilot Perception, our feature in which we break down the first episode of each new show in order to help you decide whether it’s worth your time.
The Show: Beauty and the Beast, The CW in the U.S. and Showcase in Canada, Thursdays at 9/8c
The Pedigree: The show is written and produced by Paul Junger Witt and Ron Koslow of the 1980s Beauty and the Beast along with Sherri Cooper (Brothers & Sisters), Bill Haber (Rizzoli & Isles), and Jennifer Levin (Felicity, Brothers & Sisters).
The Cast & How You Know Them: Beauty and the Beast stars Kristin Kreuk (Smallville), Jay Ryan (Terra Nova), Austin Basis (Life Unexpected), Max Brown (The Tudors, MI-5), Nina Lisandrello (Nurse Jackie), and Brian White (Cabin in the Woods).
The Premise: Cat Chandler is a young homicide detective; several years ago her mother was murdered and she was saved by a mysterious creature. Now one of her cases seems to be involving a mysterious, supposedly dead doctor who is actually alive and leading a secret life – a life that involves watching over her.
A Taste:
What Works: Well, it’s the CW, so the people are very pretty. (Including, um, the Beast.) And I’d actually be interested in learning more about the mysterious military program that made the Beast who he is, but I’m not sure how much time the show will be spending on that.
What Doesn’t: Most of it. The procedural element was pretty dreadful, and I like bad procedurals. The writing and production values are nothing to write home about. The Beast, as mentioned, is not very beastly. And the epic forbidden romance is too “love at first sight” and not epic or forbidden enough to really be terribly interesting at this point.
Our Favorite Line: “Hey, it’s Devil and Prada. Nice work.”
You Might Like This if you like straightforward procedurals with supernatural elements, or forbidden romances with a Twilight-esque tone. The main character and her backstory also reminded me a little bit of Kate Beckett from Castle, though she is a long way from being as awesome as Beckett.
If You’re Interested: Beauty and the Beast premieres tonight on the CW and Showcase at 9/8c.
(Photo courtesy of the CW.)