TNT
takes over the WB series that's part fantasy, part fun.
If
you're anything like me (breathing), you've been barraged for weeks now
with advertisements for TNT's new series, Witchblade. Even WB got into
the act by airing the 2-hour movie on which the series is based in Buffy
the Vampire Slayer's old time slot. Which made me think that Witchblade
might just be the "new Buffy," establishing an audience of Buffy fans while
the summer rerun season hits. And with Yancy Butler's dark good looks,
it would seem a logical bid for the Dark Angel audience as well, though
Witchblade is clearly not working in the science fiction genre but rather
in fantasy. And no, I don't mean THAT kind of fantasy, I mean "fantasy"
as in the literary tradition.
Made
by Warner Brothers Television and airing on TNT (Turner Network Television),
Witchblade follows a NYC detective, Sara Pezzini (Butler), who has become
the bearer of an ancient weapon so powerful it can battle Earth's darkest
evil forces. While adjusting to this new weapon worn as a bracelet in its
"inactive" state, Pezzini is assisted enigmatically by the ghost of her
slain partner (Will Yun Lee) and her current partner, Jake (David Chokachi).
Thrown into the mix is a billionaire obsessed with possessing the Witchblade
(Anthony Cistaro) whose true role in Pezzini's life is open to interpretation
(or, at least, to open up future episodes).
Witchblade
is part of TNT's new look and positioning as home for dramatic entertainment.
If the initial numbers are any indicator, this may just pay off for them.
Witchblade had an impressive premiere, helped in part by a massive cross-platform
promotional campaign and WB's help.
But
is she really a variation on Buffy the Vampire Slayer? Most of the supernatural
aspects of the show seem to operate more in the background, and because
Pezzini is a cop, it seems that this may keep the series strongly rooted
in "reality" even as she battles evil that is not always human in nature.
As such, Witchblade's appeal is probably much stronger for the Highlander
audience. Certainly, the mythology is different, but the two series seem
to share a similar sensibility.
As
the show progresses, it will be interesting to see if it will continue
being so earnest. The writers and directors appear to be taking the genre
and subject matter very seriously, flying in the face of recent traditions
to treat such content with irony or self-reflexivity. This may actually
be one of the show's strengths.
What
impresses me the most is the visual style (cinematography and production
design) -- often gorgeous and moody, creating interiors that hint at a
world that's not quite ours but close enough for us to feel at home in.
The first episode works expressively with extreme close-ups of characters'
eyes and profiles, creating an intimacy with the characters. You can see
the writers working to create a large enough framework of human interactions
in order to give the characters something to do besides fighting, to make
them seem more dimensional. And there are hints that not all are who they
appear to be. From the first episode alone, it's too early to tell if these
will be successful tactics.
Ultimately,
this is a fantasy action series, and I must say that the first episode
pretty well pays off in action. The stunts are amazing, particularly a
motorcycle chase utilizing Matrix-like special effects that still are thrilling
to see. In fact, there are a couple of great chases in the first episode,
and these sequences help cover up a few story gaps [such as Nottingham
(Eric Etebari) not just confronting the soldier/villain directly].
If
I have any real quibble, it's that some of the special effects leave a
little to be desired. Much of the Witchblade's action in the episode is
simply as a bracelet that glows meaningfully. I kept waiting for the actual
Witchblade and armor-plated arm to make an appearance. Several scenes at
the beginning of the episode, flashing back to the 2-hour movie, kept hinting
at exciting stuff to come. But in fact, in the climactic battle, the Witchblade
itself is rather, well, anti-climactic. There are virtually no close-ups
of the transformation or the actual battle. And the edits back and forth
between Pezzini unarmored and Pezzini in armor are too simplistic of a
"special effect" for a series that includes the aforementioned motorcycle
chase. To title the show after a supernatural object makes it a little
disappointing when you don't get to see the object in action. Hopefully
future episodes will balance out the great stunts and production design
with a little more "witchblade action." In close up.
FYI:
Witchblade mythology and insider news will be featured via Warner Bros.
online at witchbladetv.com during
the summer.
Joe
Steiff
