So Was The Event An Event?

Image of Jason Ritter from source, LA Times

All summer long, we've been bombarded with promos for The Event, NBC's apparent replacement for Heroes, in the serialized sci-fi/adventure genre.  They had me with Jason Ritter. I've always had a soft spot for his late father, John Ritter, having grown up on Three's Company.  When I saw the younger Ritter's comedy The Class, I was an instant fan, and was sorry to see it cancelled so fast.  Ever since then, I've been hoping he'd land on his feet in a good solid show.  So is The Event that show?

Maybe.  It has the non-linear storytelling so fashionable in these types of shows, bouncing between the present, a few minutes ago, several weeks ago, etc.  It also has a little of Vantage Point thrown in, with the same scenes played out from different perspectives.  What could come off as confusing or off-putting was handled pretty well. I never felt lost (though it felt a little like Lost).  We didn't get to exactly what "the event" itself is, but have tantalizing clues, particularly right at the end of the episode.

The problem with shows of this type are many.  The big reveal could be a letdown.  The story could get too complex for new viewers to jump in.  Or the show could be cancelled before anything is resolved.  Last season's FlashForward had a lot of the same buzz The Event has gotten, and it flamed out in one season.  But hey, I held on until the bitter end of that one, so with the assistance of the DVR, I'll probably do the same with this one. Unless they kill off Jason Ritter.

(Incidentally, I also caught Hawaii Five-O, and though I'm not going to write a seperate review, it was good. Very good. Great stunts, good looking actors, great theme. I predict: big hit.)

[Excerpt]

Television review: 'The Event'

Welcome back to the big leagues, NBC.

With Monday night's premiere of "The Event," the network that as recently as last year seemed hopelessly mired in creative and financial chaos has finally located a tent pole, a new show as big, brash and promising as "Heroes" was a few years back. . .

Read more at: Los Angeles Times