Stars: 5 out of 5Pros: Inventive story, fun characters, just plain fun
Cons: This is all we will ever get
The Bottom Line:
Needs resurrection
Because show is so much fun
Go back and watch it
Unfortunately, Ned's Magic Touch Can't Give Us More of This Awesome Show
I will be mourning the loss of Pushing Daisies for a long
time to come. This show had whimsy and
smarts all in one fun package. The
thirteen episodes representing the second season represent the last we'll see
of the show. And they are worth seeing.
This is a show that doesn't look like it should work on
paper. Ned (Lee Pace) is a pie maker who
also happens to have a gift. With one
touch, he can bring the dead back to life.
But a second touch kills them forever.
While he owns a pie restaurant that he runs with the help of Olive
(Kristin Chenoweth), he moonlights helping private investigator Emerson Cod
(Chi McBride) solve murders by interviewing the murder victims. In the first season, Ned kept one such victim
alive. He just couldn't let childhood
sweetheart Charlotte "Chuck" Charles (Anna Friel) stay dead. But she has to keep her life secret from
Aunts Vivian and Lily (Ellen Green and Swoosie Kurtz).
Yes, the set up takes a little bit to explain. But once you buy into the premise, it works
and it works well. Every week, the crew
takes on a new murder investigation in such locations as a circus or with
magicians. Heck, they even get thee to a
nunnery. They solve the murder of a
modern day Robin Hood. And there's a
synchronized swimmer killed by a shark.
But each week also involves ongoing stories about the
character's lives. As the season opens,
Olive knows a secret about Chuck's mother she's trying hard not to reveal. As things progress, Emerson hunts for his
missing daughter, Ned finds some long lost relatives, and Chuck and Olive
become roommates.
This leaves out my all time favorite episode of the
show. "The Legend of Merle
McQuoddy" involves a death at a lighthouse. On the surface, it's your normal
episode. But if you are a fan of the
Disney musical Pete's Dragon, you'll find all kinds of references from plot
points (missing sailors) to character names like Elliot and Nora. Heck, Kristin Chenoweth even sings part of
the signature song "Candle on the Water" at one point. Adding to the fun, Jim Dale, who is the voice
of the omniscient narrator for the entire series, was in the movie.
One of the reasons this show works is because the writers
have worked hard to blend the mystery and the on going storylines. Each week, there is a clear theme for the
characters, and they learn something by solving the mystery in question. Okay, outside of some clever murder methods,
the mysteries aren't the best. And if I
were watching it as a mystery show, I'd be disappointed. But they are just an excuse to visit the
characters.
And I love these characters.
Even though there is a romantic triangle, I can't help but root for
everyone to be happy. Even the aunts grew
on my this season.
The writers have also created some great dialogue. This show is the definition of fast paced and
witty. You don't want to miss a
word. And the narrator's voice overs
provide some additional laughs and pathos.
I can't leave out the look of the show. It was created for high definition. The colors are bright and vivid. It is an absolute feast for the eyes. Plus, the make up on the victims brought back
to life is always amazing. Sometimes
creepy, but even then I can't look away.
Completing the package is the acting. Yes, this cast pulls off these characters
every week. They made have complex,
quick dialogue, but you feel each word as if these people are real.
The only complaint about the show isn't even the producer's
fault. Because the show was canceled
with very little warning, several on-going storylines were left dangling. And it kills me knowing I will never know
what was going on with them. However,
there was enough warning to give us a coda that wraps things up for the
characters and left me feeling satisfied.
For those looking to buy the series, go ahead and get the
Blu-Ray. Yes, it's more expensive, but
for this show it is absolutely worth every penny. Even if the you get the regular DVD's, the
set is the same. You get 13 episodes
plus some behind the scenes featurettes including a look into creator Bryan
Fuller's mind and the production and music used in the series.
If you are one of the millions who missed this excellent
show, drop everything now and get both seasons sets. You'll be caught up in the world of Pushing
Daisies before you know it and wishing there were more than season two.
Season 2 Episodes:
1. Bzzzzzzzzz!
2. Circus, Circus
3. Bad Habits
4. Frescorts
5. Dim Sum Lose Some
6. Oh Oh Oh ...It's Magic
7. Robbing Hood
8. Comfort Food
9. The Legend of Merle McQuoddy
10. The Norwegians
11. Window Dressed to Kill
12. Water & Power
13. Kerplunk
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thanks for stopping by. In order to combat spam, I moderate most comments. I'll get to your comment as soon as I can.