Clarity is a strange thing, especially in television. You ask for it, and then, when you get it, sometimes it can be all a bit anticlimactic. Yes, you wanted the answer, but you also kind of wanted the answer to be something else. Something better. Something special.
This is where I’m at right now with ‘Hunters’ the new alien terrorists show on SyFy. Does the premise hook me? Yes. Am I emotionally connected? Eh …not so far. Are the answers they’ve provided up to this point satisfying? A very resounding no.
Of course, that might be because we don’t have all the answers yet. Which is good, no show should cough up everything in episode two. But, in a way, the few answers it did give us just gave us a vague sense of is that it? and that’s the worst response in the world when you’re trying to hook an audience.
So, Regan is a hunter. We figured that. So is Abby. We figured that too. Regan can’t seem to control her urges; Abby was apparently living a quiet suburban life. What’s up with that? And while we’re at it, why is Abby so important? Is it because bad guy has a thing for her? And, is she staying with him willingly? Smart money’s on no, so add rape to the list of his transgressions.
Also, while we’re at it, what’s up with Flynn? Why is his scar so important? And who is the big ugly guy at the end? Am I supposed to be scared of him? Because, yeah, that’s not happening. I’m not even nauseated by him, which I guess is something the show was expecting. He’s just another creepy dude. Been there, seen that.
The problem is not so much that nothing happens, no, the problem is that we’re expecting everything that happens. Regan won’t listen to anyone; Flynn won’t let common sense keep him from trying to find Abby, and we won’t get enough of Emme, the only character actually emoting something. And if we’re not surprised by what’s coming and we don’t care why it’s coming, then why are we even here again?
Good question. I just hope the show finds a way to answer.
Soon.
Other things to note:
- Julian McMahon is just too good looking. No words.
- I hate how people never give details on TV. How is Flynn supposed to know where to bring the body?
- The leap from: My wife has a lot of lotion to she’s a Hunter is a big one. I own almost as many bottles of lotion.
- The show’s most powerful moment to date was clearly when Regan was asking for more of this mysterious “treatment” and the boss (whose name I can’t remember, imagine the impact he’s made) tells her that she needs to manage her demons the same way regular people do.
- Which, I assume means pills.
- Still, I felt something in that moment, so I guess that’s good?
- What were the messages again?
What did you think about this episode? Are you still interested? Are you connecting to the characters? Share with us in the comments below.