If you’d believed my Twitter feed this evening, the premiere of Life Unexpected might just be the most anticipated thing on television since the last time Leno passed the baton to Conan. It’s Juno meets Gilmore Girls (though, I’d argue that one was born out of the other, but that’s just me). In a lot of ways, the premiere lived up to that expectation, but I can certainly see where Keith was coming from in his preview post (which you should read, because, seriously, like half my post is about the point he makes).
People that read any of my television related rambling around CliqueClack know how important well developed, well written characters are to me. They are, simply, the basis of any good show. The characters on Life Unexpected are starting off on the right foot. Lux, the too-smart-for-her-own-good teenager at the center of the show, has some layers (though clichéd layers). Nate “Baze” Bazile, the father is not the screw up he’s made out to be (trust me, plenty of people open bars, but a lot of those same people also close bars). And Cate Cassidy, played by Shiri Appleby, well, she is pretty straightforwardly 10 pounds of crazy in a 5-pound bag.
Everyone wants to do the right thing, though, and thus the thrust of the show in the beginning. Lux just wants to grow up. Baze is confronted by the idea that he never had the chance to, and Cate , well, she wants to grow up too. I’m not sure sleeping with a high school flame the day after being proposed to, and the day before finalizing the engagement is really the way to go, but, hey, what do I know?
What is the show going to be about, though? The logline in and of itself is the plot of an 88 minute romantic comedy (I can see it now … Ellen Page as the kid, and Jennifer Garner and Jason Bateman as the parents … oh, wait). The Lux is more mature than both Baze and Cate combined. Sure, hijinks ensue, but how much? They’ll have to develop storylines worthy of the characters.
You’ve got to have faith, sometimes, and I saw enough tonight to keep me coming back. As Keith pointed out, the production quality of the show is pretty great. Liz Tigelaar, the showrunner, has got a pretty good pedigree (because, ratings be damned, anyone involved with What About Brian is fine in my book). The writing is good (specifically the dialogue), the acting is superb, and, well, how many shows are set in Portland? How can it not succeed?
Clacked by Ivey West 
on Jan 19, 2010 @ 10:00 EST5EDT
When will this be on? I saw about 1,243 commercials for it this weekend, but not one date. “Check your local listing” – I’m not THAT interested, and frankly too lazy to search for it. :-)
I think it premiered last night, and re-airs the pilot Wednesday at 8PM
I really liked the show and was impressed. However, Lux(e)? is way more balanced than a kid who underwent the foster care system replete with sexual assault attempts and faux-dealer foster parents. I also think it’s ironic that this show features two former tween-WB cast members. However, Shiri A. has definitely matured as an actress. I liked her Roswell character, but felt she required more development as an actress, which she has now.
I also liked the slow hints of realism. For instance, the ‘love’ scene between Shiri’s character and the school jock didn’t feature the typical sexy lighting and soft porn rock, but people awkwardly bumping in the dark while giving each other directions. I also loved the supporting characters. Guy Nerds (hello, BoT), always grab my heart.
There was one point in this review I was apprehensive about going in, which thankfully turned out to be slightly different when I actually watched the pilot. Cate accepts the proposal, then calls off the engagement, giving the ring back to Ryan. After she sleeps with Baze, she views that as a mistake, and reconciles with Ryan the next morning. So it could technically be counted as being “on a break.” I’ll see if this situation deteriorates as the show progresses.
*POST AUTHOR*
Ryan: I hope my review didn’t push you away from the show. I’m a fan of it so far, though I’m not sure it completely lives up to the hype.
Yeah, the whole sleeping with Baze thing is just setting up more drama for down the road.
Your opinions in the review in no way deterred me from the show, just that specific plot point the show itself used, which you described. I’m only coming into the show late because the pilot was a free iTunes download, and like what I’ve seen so far, chiefly Lux. I like that she’s far less passive than Rory Gilmore. My only concern is if the Baze-Cate-Ryan triangle becomes too aggravating going forward, but I did watch Gilmore Girls all the way through.