Welcome back to our TV Preview series! Over the past few months, Emily and I have checked out TV’s new fall and midseason offerings and have voiced our opinions on what’s good, what’s bad, what’s meh, and what you can avoid at all costs. Today’s our last post for this season, but we’ll see you again this fall!Warning! Possible spoilers ahead.
Premiered: April 17 on The CW (Watch online.)
Twitter Pitch
If you die after a meteorite hits Earth and come back to life with odd powers, get to Houston and avoid people named Johnny. #angelsoraliens
Familiar Faces
Shantel VanSanten as Vera Buckley
Craig Frank as Alan Harris
JD Pardo as Raul Garcia
Sofia Black D’Elia as Erin Calder
Victor Slezak as Joshua Silburn, Sr.
Joel Courtney as Peter Moore
Diogo Morgado as The Man
Faces That Might Become Familiar (If You Keep Watching)
Lora Martinez-Cunningham as Nurse Pepper
Anna Diop as Rose Arvale
Madison Dellamea as Amy Calder
Jon Fletcher as Joshua Silburn, Jr.
Katy Rowe as Charlotte Silburn
Lexi Atkins as Alice
Redeeming Qualities
Emily: Normal people suddenly getting super powers? What's not to like? I'm a big fan of new mythology, and even though I have no idea where this show is going, it seems to have a mission. As far as the casting goes, there's no one I don't like, but I do think Erin is my favorite so far.
Mandy: Y’all know how we feel around these parts about our CW shows. Even when they’re terrible, they’re kind of addicting. And even the terrible ones tend to get really good when you least expect it. The channel has gotten a bit more—dare I say it—adult recently, too, and The Messengers fits right in with that new leaning.* The show is dark, somewhat gritty, and has a great mix of cast members. I’m very curious to find out more about this mysterious meteorite/The Man/the powers all of the people who died have suddenly developed. Also: FITZ. I am really excited to see Craig Frank on my TV (and not in that terrible, short-lived Mixology show).
*I don’t mean to say that it’ll ever completely shy away from the ridiculous and ridiculously awesome drams, of course. That would just be stupid.
It's Not Me, It's You
Emily: I found myself watching the pilot with my head cocked to the side going, "Now, what's happening?" I couldn't tell (and maybe this is the point) if these "Messengers" are good or bad. Two (Raul and Peter) of them killed people, and one (Joshua) of them basically resembles every stereotypical cult leader on TV right now. Yet, they all have wings. Does that automatically make them good guys? Whose side are we on? The whole pilot felt like a preamble. We got the "who," but I'm in desperate need of the "what" and "why" before I can care.
Mandy: I worry that the religious undertones of the show could be a problem, regardless of if they go good or bad. I’m not a religious person by nature, but that doesn’t mean I want to watch a show that drags people’s views through the mud. Alternatively, I’d rather not watch a show that gets a little too preachy—in any way—if you know what I mean?
Let's Do This Again
Emily: It just didn't draw me in enough to fully commit. My DVR is super backed up right now, so I can pretty much guess that I'll let the next few episodes record, and then once they start stacking, I'll probably delete them all.
Mandy: What are the messengers? Will they all eventually find their way together? Is The Man really the Devil? Is the baby Joshua’s … or his father’s? (GROSS.) I’m left with so many questions, and I want to know the answers. So yes, I’ll continue watching this one. You’ve got my number, CW.
Did you watch The Messengers? If so, let us know your thoughts below!