The Middleman (1.1)

Monday, June 16th, 2008 @ 8 PM
ABC Family

The Middleman - Season 1, Pilot - "The Pilot episode Sanction"

Wendy Watson is a struggling artist who's resigned herself resigned herself to a life of redundant temp jobs - until a freak accident involving an angry genetic experiment introduces her to the world's most absurdly covert operative: the Middleman. (ABCFamily.com)

Manatee: I was very excited about a graphic novel turned TV series, though I had my hesitations since it was airing on ABC Family at 8 pm.

Marmot: I've never watched anything on ABC Family, so I didn't really know what to expect.

Manatee: Well, it has the word "family" in it so I figured it would be pretty tame.

Marmot: What did you think of this show? Did you like it? Did you think it was good?

Manatee: I like the concept behind it. I like the actors ok (at least they aren't some feature actors stinking up the small screen). I know it's a pretty low budget show, so I'll try not to be too harsh. But the visual effects in the pilot were terrible. I say if you don't have the money to do it right, then don't do it. Find a more creative solution. It came across as silly and immature (ie: for kids). Let's put it this way: I will watch it again next week to see if there are changes. The pilot shot in Vancouver and the series shoots here in Los Angeles. So there might be changes for the better (or worse). Right now I want it to be better than it is.

Marmot: I don't know how I felt about it. I agree, the effects were awful, but that didn't bother me so much. The thing is, the show's not good and it's not terrible, but it's also not mediocre, because that implies something more run-of-the-mill, middle-of-the-road, and this is definitely not that. It's an interesting show, and I agree, I want it to be better than it is. Both leads are very likeable, and I kind of dig the screwball-esque dialogue. I think my biggest problem with the show is that there's a lot of elements that don't all quite fit together. But for some reason, I don't mind.

Manatee: I was going to ask you if that dialogue reminded you of anything? Say a certain Academy Award winning movie?

Marmot: Schindler's List? Definitely You know, I hadn't made the Juno connection until you brought it up. Now I feel dirty.

Manatee: When there were lines like "Do me a solid" and "lickity split" Juno was the first thing that popped into my mind. Jumping on wacky dialogue bandwagon.

Marmot: I didn't like the banter between the guitar guy and the girl. What was her name? Dubby?

Manatee: I wasn't a fan of that chitchat either. I'm not even sure I understood what they were saying to one another

Marmot: She was naming songs with "Hungry" in the title at one point, that's all I remember. But then the titles - like her "illegal sublet that she shares with another photogenic artist" - I thought were brilliant.

Manatee: Really! At first I wasn't sure, but I guess it goes with the graphic novel thing

Marmot: And the fantasy, Hard Day's Night-esque sequence where she put the uniform on I thought was hilarious and so unique to a television show. I like that the show knows it’s a show, but the characters don't. It's interesting.

Manatee: And the idea of a Middleman is really funny. I don't think it takes itself too seriously. I thought it also had some fun and funky music.

Marmot: It's definitely worth another viewing. I'm interested to see what's going to happen in a few episodes down the line.