The last event at NYCC on Thursday was at the main stage, with Warner Bros. Television once again hosting a preview night. It’s a great event that has become a tradition here, giving audiences a special peek at pilots. This year’s preview was especially thrilling, as it included the pilot for CBS’ Supergirl, the eye network’s first modern comic book superhero series. The other two pilots were the surprisingly hilarious Lucifer and the rather stale Containment.
Supergirl (CBS, Oct. 26) - At the start, Supergirl is a bit slow and the pilot did, admittedly, feel incredibly long. But as the show found its groove, it actually got enjoyable, lighthearted and, most importantly, fun. The workplace banter comes off like Devil Wears Prada with superpowers at first, with Calista Flockhart doing her best Meryl Streep impression. However, this thankfully doesn’t dominate the show and the superhero action takes over the later half of the pilot.
Even though Supergirl was developed with Greg Berlanti, the show isn’t connected to The CW DC universe. Indeed, it makes it sound like Supergirl’s universe only has two superheroes: Supergirl and Superman. And, speaking of Superman, he actually does have a role, albeit through James Olsen (Mehcad Brooks), who Supes has watch over Supergirl.
For any show, especially one like this, it’s important for the lead star to be charismatic and really engaging. Melissa Benoist, who had a breakthrough part in Whiplash last year, is easily loveable. She already looks comfortable in the role.
The show is worth checking out.
Lucifer (Fox, midseason) – Based on a comic from DC’s Vertigo imprint, this is a surprising twist on the “tough female cop paired with eccentric non-cop guy” subgenre. It’s a bit like The Mentalist, but if the Mentalist was the Devil. Tom Ellis stars as Lucifer, who has picked up the guise of a brash playboy who doesn’t care about life. When someone he knows gets killed, he gets in the way of LAPD Det. Chloe Dancer’s (Lauren German) investigation. They start to like each other, despite their differences and… well, you know where this is going. Sure, on its face, the show does fit a detective show mold, but Ellis is a charismatic screen magnet.
Lucifer is worth checking out, if Fox decides to air it. The show’s premiere hasn’t been scheduled yet.
Containment (The CW, midseason) – I have no idea why The CW thinks this show will fit with their schedule. It’s a morbid drama that feels like The Walking Dead without zombies. Someone even jokes about zombies in the pilot! In this world, the crippling disease just kills people – it doesn’t turn them into zombies. This show might also have one too many characters at the beginning.
The best thing I got out of it – along with many others in the audience – is a new catchphrase: “Stay four to six feet away!” As if that will stop a disease from spreading.
You can skip Containment, which also hasn’t been scheduled.
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