This review is written after the fourth episode.
"Believe" was released with much fanfare. With Alfonso Cuarón and J.J. Abrams on-board and a very pretty trailer to wet audience's appetites, it looked like this couldn't fail. However, within a few episodes the same complaint seemed to be levelled against it time and time again: too formulaic.
Now, for a TV show, formulaic isn't always a problem. Plenty of TV shows run off a formula. In fact plenty of TV shows wouldn't work if they didn't have the formula. The audience likes the formula. It comforts them, reassures them. It means that when you tune in for the show you know what you're going to get.
However, "Believe" use of the formula is flawed. Every episode has three parts to it. There's Bo and Tate's attempts to stay one step ahead of their pursuers. Then there's Bo's attempts to help someone in need. Finally there is something related to Skouras, often in the form of a flashback. There are three main problems with this. Firstly, cramming three separate story lines into a single show means there's not enough time to develop any of them properly.
Secondly, there is precious little variation in these parts, especially in what should be the most exciting part, Bo and Tate's flight from danger. A safe-house goes south, Tate has a heated phone call with Milton about getting them help, they are cornered by their pursuers, Bo uses her powers to save them, Milton comes through at the end. There's no drama or tension, no change or development in Agent Ferrel's character, nothing to make the audience intrigued.
Finally, there is no overlap between these parts. Plenty of shows have different story lines running through them. The best ones tie these story lines together, often in ways that the audience least expect. Bo's missions-of-mercy seemingly exist in a vacuum, despite everything else that is happening in her life. Agent Ferrel interacts a little with Skouras but despite all the lies she's been told and all that she's seen, she continues to act as little more than a plot device, relentlessly pursing Bo without once questioning what she's asked to do.
The other big problem "Believe" has is due to Bo's abilities. This show could work nicely if they focused on Bo's crusades and kept the other parts in the background as an ongoing storyline that could pop-up from time to time and be allowed to slowly develop over the course of the season. However, for that to succeed there needs to be some sort of mystery but with Bo's abilities that's never going to happen. She knows the resolution to the mystery even before it begins. If there was more room for Tate to play a part or if Bo's abilities weren't perfect then maybe this could work but as it stands it leaves little for the audience to engage with.
Despite all of that "Believe" isn't completely without worth. The whole concept is solid enough, the performances are good and the dialogue is better than a lot of TV shows. It's also beautiful to look at, and to listen to. It's just that, as it stands, nothing is being done with all of that. If the plot gets a work over and actually starts to develop rather than just tread water then "Believe" has the potential to be a great show. If not then this isn't going to get past season one.
"Believe" was released with much fanfare. With Alfonso Cuarón and J.J. Abrams on-board and a very pretty trailer to wet audience's appetites, it looked like this couldn't fail. However, within a few episodes the same complaint seemed to be levelled against it time and time again: too formulaic.
Now, for a TV show, formulaic isn't always a problem. Plenty of TV shows run off a formula. In fact plenty of TV shows wouldn't work if they didn't have the formula. The audience likes the formula. It comforts them, reassures them. It means that when you tune in for the show you know what you're going to get.
However, "Believe" use of the formula is flawed. Every episode has three parts to it. There's Bo and Tate's attempts to stay one step ahead of their pursuers. Then there's Bo's attempts to help someone in need. Finally there is something related to Skouras, often in the form of a flashback. There are three main problems with this. Firstly, cramming three separate story lines into a single show means there's not enough time to develop any of them properly.
Secondly, there is precious little variation in these parts, especially in what should be the most exciting part, Bo and Tate's flight from danger. A safe-house goes south, Tate has a heated phone call with Milton about getting them help, they are cornered by their pursuers, Bo uses her powers to save them, Milton comes through at the end. There's no drama or tension, no change or development in Agent Ferrel's character, nothing to make the audience intrigued.
Finally, there is no overlap between these parts. Plenty of shows have different story lines running through them. The best ones tie these story lines together, often in ways that the audience least expect. Bo's missions-of-mercy seemingly exist in a vacuum, despite everything else that is happening in her life. Agent Ferrel interacts a little with Skouras but despite all the lies she's been told and all that she's seen, she continues to act as little more than a plot device, relentlessly pursing Bo without once questioning what she's asked to do.
The other big problem "Believe" has is due to Bo's abilities. This show could work nicely if they focused on Bo's crusades and kept the other parts in the background as an ongoing storyline that could pop-up from time to time and be allowed to slowly develop over the course of the season. However, for that to succeed there needs to be some sort of mystery but with Bo's abilities that's never going to happen. She knows the resolution to the mystery even before it begins. If there was more room for Tate to play a part or if Bo's abilities weren't perfect then maybe this could work but as it stands it leaves little for the audience to engage with.
Despite all of that "Believe" isn't completely without worth. The whole concept is solid enough, the performances are good and the dialogue is better than a lot of TV shows. It's also beautiful to look at, and to listen to. It's just that, as it stands, nothing is being done with all of that. If the plot gets a work over and actually starts to develop rather than just tread water then "Believe" has the potential to be a great show. If not then this isn't going to get past season one.