Eleventh Hour – Will it make the cut?

In a word, yes. I believe it will. I hope.

I know; where’s the suspense in that? Well, I think this television season has given us all enough to be tense about without forcing you to wonder what conclusion I’m inevitably going to draw. You can thank me later for postponing your TV-anxiety-induced heart attack.

I recently wrote about the questionable science that swirls around shows like Eleventh Hour. And, while that may be true, it doesn’t mean that the show isn’t scripted fare at its finest. Only that a couple of lab rats might get ticked off every now and then (I love you, dear!). The rest of us tune in to be entertained, and boy does this show succeed! With its first season over, and the death-watch beginning, let us count the ways:

1. I love how Rufus Sewell (Jacob Hood) speaks. There’s a very breathy and mysterious tone to his voice that, to me, lends a sense of calm and control. When mercury poison is afoot, or second hearts are agrowing, it’s nice to know that someone is on top of things.
2. Rachel Young (Marley Shelton) is believable as an FBI agent. It seems like a pretty simple thing, but too many shows are using actors who aren’t believable in their roles, and I appreciate when one is cast correctly.
3. The show is always fresh. New crises all across the country may appear impossible for one scientist to handle, but the changing scenery and the new topic make for a bit of a surprise each and every time.
4. Omar Benson Miller (Felix Lee) is awesome. I was a bit disappointed when he was first added, because to me it was an indication that the producers were scrambling to give the show a boost before it got canceled. But Miller is amazing; I’ve enjoyed him ever since he appeared on an episode of The West Wing (can you name that character?) He is just a pleasure to watch.
5. You don’t have to understand to follow. Whether the science is realistic or fiction, you can enjoy the progression of the case without knowing exactly what they’re talking about. I appreciate that, since it generally goes over my head!
6. There’s no fake sexual tension between Hood and Rachel. Normally the show would throw it in there to make things more tense; thankfully, we haven’t been forced to suffer that. Yet.
7. It’s a breath of fresh air from the CSI family. CBS has developed a number of procedurals that work hard to complete the crime universe that is still left uncovered. It may seem silly, but I think there’s a lot going on in crime detection and prevention that would interest us a great deal. NCIS, Criminal Minds, Cold Case, and Eleventh Hour, all fill in varying holes, and provide something for everyone. Or everything for us all. Your choice.
8. The show isn’t gruesome. Sure, sometimes there are things onscreen that make me turn away, but Eleventh Hour manages to tell some pretty horrifying stories without splattering blood and gore left and right. It’s not a family show, but it also won’t scare the crap out of you before you go to bed.
9. It’s funny. Hood, in his highly intellectual manner, can tell a joke, make a pun, or fire a zing. While not a comedy, the levity adds dimensions to his character, as well as defining his relationship with Rachel, and now, Felix.
10. There’s no serialized storylines to keep track of. Granted, there are the usual progressions, growth, etc., that come with any show. But, and I’m not complaining, too many shows require work on our part to keep up. I like having the option of relaxing with a show that doesn’t ask me to remember what happened last week.
11. I like that the cast is so small. Yes, that could have gone in a different direction, because, if I hated one or more of the permanent cast the show would drive me crazy. But, with three main actors, each of whom I enjoy, I can watch the show without cringing when person X appears, which is generally the case on shows with larger ensembles (I’m looking at you, Katherine Heigl!)

Well, that’s a coincidence! Eleven ways that Eleventh Hour succeeds. Who’d have guessed?

In all seriousness, Eleventh Hour has joined a slew of powerful shows currently on the Eye, each holding court over their respective slots on the weekly schedule. Some are stronger than others, but each and every one of them produces viewers. Whether the “right” demographics are among the average 12 million people watching Eleventh Hour is for CBS to decide. I can only hope that they respect the preference of those viewers (who were choosing Eleventh Hour over ER and Private Practice), and give us back our Hood.

CBS has already scared us into thinking that they may cancel Cold Case and Worst Week; don’t let them get us again. Hood and co. must live!

Clacked by Aryeh S.
on Apr 07, 2009 @ 16:00 EST5EDT