[TV] SC first look: Drive

[Guest Emperor]

It’s a genre-bending Fox hourlong about seemingly ordinary people – a Nebraska landscaper, an abused new mother, an Iraq vet and his girlfriend, a young paroled convict and his rich-kid half-brother, an astrophysicist and his Lohan-y teen daughter, a trio of party girls, and many, many more - unexpectedly plucked from their lives by powerful and mysterious (and sadistic and malevolent?) forces to compete in a secret cross-country road race for a $32 million grand prize.

 

Some are in the race for the money. Some are in the race to find out what happened to their missing (kidnapped?) loved ones, who may (or may not) be waiting at the finish line.

 

Darkly funny, exciting and loaded with twists and intriguing characters, “Drive” reunites the great writer-director-producer Tim Minear (“The X-Files,” “Angel,” “Wonderfalls,” “The Inside”) and actor Nathan Fillion (“Serenity,” “Slither”), who previously collaborated to gratifying effect on “Firefly.”

 

The sprawling cast (42 carloads of characters leave the starting gate in Key West) includes also Amy Acker (“Angel,” “Alias”), Kristin Lehman (“Judging Amy,” “The Sentinel”), Dylan Baker (“Happiness,” the “Spider-Man” movies), Melanie Lynsky (“Heavenly Creatures,” “Two and a Half Men”), Taryn Manning (“Cold Mountain,” “Hustle & Flow”), Rochelle Aytes (“White Chicks”), Mircea Monroe (“Cellular”), Emma Stone (“The New Partridge Family”), Riley Smith (“Eight Legged Freaks,” “24”), Brian Bloom (“Smokin’ Aces”), Michael Hyatt (“The Wire”), Kevin Alejandro (“Sleeper Cell,” “Ugly Betty”), J.D. Pardo (“American Dreams”) and Charles Martin Smith (“American Graffiti,” “The Untouchables”).

 

As the “Alias,” “24” and “Lost” pilots did, the “Drive” opener generates fascinating questions aplenty - and will leave audiences hungering for answers long after its two-hour introduction concludes. (Happily, a third hour airs Monday.)

[Guest Cadsuane]

Is this available online? I don't get reception for FOX, but this looks interesting!

 

*goes to investigate*

[Guest Emperor]

I hope so, I missed the pilot last week :( Let us know what you think and if it is online.

[Guest Cadsuane]

It does not appear to be online. There is a 5-page text recap, however, and several videos of actors talking about their characters. The second part of the pilot is on tonight at 8pm, apparently.

[Guest Emperor]

Yeah I have it DVRed.... but hate to watch it missing the first show. Wish I knew it was going to be on Sunday night.

[Mendorah]

Actually, if you go to fox.com and then click on the show's link from the Shows drop down box, you'll see a link to watch the premiere episodes. Then you're taken to the MySpace page for the show. It looks like they're hosting the shows there.

 

I missed them too! Apparently it comes on the same time as Dancing with the Stars last night and I don't have a DVR or a VCR that records anything other than the channel I'm watching, so I'm just out of luck if it interferes with something else I'm already dedicated to. Hopefully they'll re-run it or change the time slot or something.

[Guest Yveva]

Amy Acker? If I had known that I SO woulda been watching.

[Guest Emperor]

http://www.myspace.com/driveonfox

 

It is Cannonball run, mixed with the Amazing Race but in the form of an hour long drama. I am watching the first episode now and finding myself enjoying it.

[Guest Segurant]

I downloaded it from iTunes

[Guest Emperor]

Ok I get the feeling it is a bit like Clue.... everyone is playing a game and are sort of pit against each other, but when it all comes down to it, they each are connected in some way to one person.... at least that is what I am guessing.

 

Nathan Fillion is awesome... and he alone will keep my watching this show. That and it is the only new non-reality show out. Well really it is somewhat like a reality show, except in the form of a drama... I guess.

[Guest Emperor]

Just watched episode 2... and I am still impressed with the show... well not impressed but find myself liking it and actually looking forward to the next show.

[Jafael]

I just watched the first three episodes. It's like a sleeper hit. So far, I'm really enjoying it. Then again, with Nathan Fillion, and Amy Acker, I'd be a devoted fan.

 

Of course, it seems like an original idea, and so far fairly well executed (for a lot of green screen). I give it a thumbs up, AND I'll keep watching it!

 

It also has the advantage of playing now, instead of waiting until '08.

[Guest Emperor]

I just watched 3 and it continued to peak my interest. There is still some slow moving parts and characters I just don't care about, but then we get back to Nathan or the Dad and I am happy.

 

Best new show of 07? Well not better than Black Donelleys but still good. Which means Fox will cancel it....

 

Actually it is getting great ratings... I think. It is at least being hyped everywhere.