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: Resurrection, ABC in the U.S. and City TV in Canada, Sundays at 9/8c
The Pedigree: Resurrection is based on Jason Mott’s novel The Returned. It was developed for TV by Aaron Zelman (The Killing), who executive produces with Michele Fazekas and Tara Butters (Hawaii Five-0) and JoAnn Alfano (30 Rock). Charles McDougall (The Office) directed the pilot.
The Cast & How You Know Them: The show stars Omar Epps (House), Frances Fisher (Touch), Matt Craven (Justified), Devin Kelley (Covert Affairs), Mark Hildreth (V), Samaire Armstrong (The Mentalist), Sam Hazeldine (Monuments Men), Kurtwood Smith (That ’70s Show), and newcomer Landon Gimenez.
The Premise: The dead of Arcadia, Missouri start miraculously appearing, seemingly alive and as though no time has passed for them. The formerly dead and their families must learn to adapt to each other again while an Immigration agent helps some in the town search for answers as to what’s actually going on.
A Taste:
What Works: I liked the way the show had people respond to this crazy event of people reappearing from the dead – both the newly alive people and the survivors were confused, in different ways, and I thought that was shown well. I also liked how some people were more accepting than others, some turned to religion, etc. I hope the show does more with those themes of how differently people react to the same thing, though I also hope it provides some actual answers as far as what’s going on.
What Doesn’t: This first episode felt extremely slow at times, and seemed to cover basically the same ground multiple times. And while the pilot made me curious to find out what was going on on an intellectual level, none of the characters really pulled me in emotionally. I’m curious enough about the plot to try another episode, but I don’t feel like the show grabbed me.
Our Favorite Line: “I have him. He’s okay.” “Well, that would be pretty unlikely. My son died thirty-two years ago.”
You Might Like This if you like supernatural dramas with long-running mystery elements that may or may not be resolved.
If You’re Interested: Watch the first episode on the ABC or City TV sites or on Hulu, then set your DVR for Sunday at 9/8c for episode two.
(Photo courtesy of ABC.)