Okay. Let me just start off by stating I’m a nerd. Apple computers, comic books, video games, Bruce Lee movies and all things retro 70s. If you it’s retro and sci-fi I go easier than a drunken prom date. The only thing that makes me any different from other nerds is I know how to dress, I love bellbottoms but until Marc Jacobs or Costume National come out with a pair, I won’t be wearing any; and I have a girlfriend – which means I get laid.
Although I do have a sex life, I still went limp at the knees when I saw the commercial for Bionic Woman. I was excited enough to leave work early to catch the first episode. My expectations were a bit high, so in order to ensure I was at least entertained, I lowered them as I set down in front of my widescreen and counted down to 9PM. It’s a good thing I lowered my expectations.
Not great, the show was enjoyable enough in spite of the bad writing. The acting was good. The pacing was adequate. The creators laid the foundation well enough and I’m certain I’ll be recording the next episode. However, they cribbed from all over the place: 24, Alias, Hostel II, Blade Runner, every David Fincher movie to see the light of day. That annoyed me a bit. I fully realize the show is a remake from another series, which in itself was a spinoff (spinoff = carbon copy) of another series, but am I wrong to expect a little originality? Add the fact that the producers seem to be angling for that Heroes crowd, which could further distract them from producing a unique television series.
There is a kind of men controlling women subtext to this series that creates some interesting tension. Also this Bionic Woman has a few grrrl power moments which are cool. For example, this new millennium bionic woman (Michelle Ryan plays Jamie Summers) is a single mom. She’s tough an tender, and apparently a genius. Nice way to update a character, but I really like Sarah, the Other bionic woman/evil nemesis character played by Katee Sackhoff. It’s clear from the opening scene that she’s a total sick puppy and she plays very nicely off Michelle Ryan’s good girl bionic woman. Both are good news for viewers.
The show is lucky to have Miguel Ferrer in its cast. He’s always good. He’s the shadowy government figure behind the group that made Jamie all bionic and whatnot. Molly Price, Will Anthros and Will Yun Lee are good as his flunkies. The next episode promises the introduction of some new characters. One of them is played by Isaiah Washington, who famously got himself booted off of Grey’s Anatomy. If they’re as interesting as Katee Sackhoff, Miguel Ferrer and the rest of the supporting cast, we may have ourselves an interesting and engaging series after all. I’m going to get some blank DVDs this weekend… just in case.
