"Life" Find Your Happy Place (2008)

User Rating:

8.5/10   

Director:

Daniel Sackheim

Writers:

Rand Ravich (creator)
Rand Ravich (written by)

TV Series:

"Life" (2007)

Original Air Date:

29 September 2008 (Season 2, Episode 1)

Genre:

Crime | Mystery

Plot:

Detectives Reese and Crews investigate what is obviously a serial killer. On the first day, they find three steamer trunks - appropriately numbered 1...

Plot Keywords:

Police | Homicide Detective | Partner | Beautiful Woman | Ex Convict

Cast

Damian Lewis	...	Charlie Crews
Sarah Shahi	...	Dani Reese
Brent Sexton	...	Robert Stark
Donal Logue	...	Captain Kevin Tidwell
Adam Arkin	...	Ted Earley
Brooke Langton	...	Constance Griffiths
Titus Welliver	...	Kyle Hollis
Jessy Schram	...	Rachel Seybolt
Noel Fisher	...	John Armstrong
Victor Rivers	...	Jack Reese
Kim Director	...	Cheryl Price
Matthew Currie Holmes	...	Bartender
Erica N. Tazel	...	Mum at Park (as Erica Tazel)
Roberto 'Sanz' Sanchez	...	Corrections Officer (as Roberto Sanchez)
Rachel Montez Collins	...	Ginger

Certification:

Netherlands:12

Filming Locations:

Sepulveda Basin, Los Angeles, California, USA

Soundtrack:

Devil's Playground

disappointing restart

I really enjoyed season 1 of this show. The main character is quirky and funny, both intentionally and otherwise, and has a dry, sardonic wit. Add to that the engrossing main plot line of figuring out who framed him for the murder for which he spent many years in jail, the supporting cast of characters who are reasonably well-rounded considering it's early days, and the all around strong acting, and you have a truly engaging show on your hands. I have written a more detailed comment under the main title's page.

Although I was eagerly looking forward to the return of this show, I felt really disappointed by this first episode of season 2. The continuing plot line mentioned above was barely gone into, which left the "mystery" solved in this episode carrying all of the dramatic weight, and it couldn't carry the load. The characters were right out of TV Writing 101, and the resolution of the investigation was so incredibly clichéd that it was a wonder the actors could say their lines with a straight face. Also, the supporting cast wasn't up to scratch this time, most notably the angry karate kid whose acting was so over the top it's a wonder he didn't get nose bleeds! Add to that the fact that some re-exposition of the main thread was clearly thrown in at the last minute due to the longer than usual break, and you end up with a very mediocre result.

I was also quite annoyed by the pseudo-scientific philosophizing that occurred as a result of a single ridiculous comment made by someone upon first meeting him ("I'm not really here.") Usually this is part of the fun of the show, but like everything else in this episode, this felt like it was just another plot element quickly thrown in without the usual finesse.

I don't know if this was a rush job before the writers' strike, or afterward, but I certainly hope they do better next time. We'll see...