The concept of the show, practically "screamed" cult classic. A former detective getting shot in the head and suffering brain damage and after suffering a long recuperation period; tries to face the hard task of rebuilding his life where he left it off only to find not only the life he left changed but himself changed almost beyond recognition. Who was once a crisp, clear, brilliant detective who managed to co-found a separate branch of the FBI, the "Organized and Serial Crime Unit" or (OSCU), is now a wild, almost maniac man lacking that crucial part of his brain that can put a handle on his emotions and give him the most basic common sense.
Detective David Creegan (played brilliantly by Jeffery Donovan, of "Blair Witch II" fame), is such a detective. who along with his new and most reluctant partner Detective Susan Branca (played with notable exception by Vera Farmiga, of "Roar" fame).
Having not seen the British show, I can safely say this will not be a comparison review. "Touching Evil" as said in the title practically screams with potential but never fully realizes (in the first season anyway) it's true potential and seems lost like other USA shows in the eternal struggle to be unique and go it's own route or follow the tired and true cliché's of network television that often make for series hit gold. Donovan is well matched to play a character, not all that different (post gun shot) from his character in "Blair Witch Project II", but still intriguing and beguiling and magnetic enough to keep a viewer returning. Dark and eerily toned the series doens't follow the classic "single strong antagonist serial killer villain" that other shows with a similar plot line seem to focus on. But instead a number of killers whom as the title promises, we get to see inside the very nature of who they are and what makes them evil. With excellent actors and wonderfully developed and realistic characters the show is a rare gem.
However "Touching Evil" was canceled before it reached it's true potential and as such like so many other shows canceled in the first season didn't quite realize it's own true voice and as such came out disjointed and often times lost under it's own creepy atmosphere. The chaotic mess that is David Creegan, is perhaps the most straight forward essence to the show as we can easily follow along with his development as a character and also see in flashbacks where he was coming from and who he was while recovering from the gunshot wound to his head.
The uneven portions of the show were perhaps the agency Creegan himself co created. Unsure of whether it wanted to maintain a strict "branch of the USA law enforcement" or move into that "super secret agency" territory that "Alias" has claimed. While Vera Farmiga is a talented and likable actress she balances precariously on the edge of being a clichéd cop "wonder woman" that the viewer only saw hints of towards the end of the series. Another uneven portion of the show was perhaps the creepy atmosphere, more attune to perhaps a television serial version of "Silence of the Lambs" and "The Sixth Sense" the show tried desperately to maintain the creed (like the former ABC show "Blind Justice" )that it wouldn't descend into the realm of supernatural. Despite teetering unclear on that edge.
The show could have used perhaps a second return to the drawing board to clear up the atmosphere and character disjointed follies it had. As well as a definite brightening of the cinematography.
"Touching Evil" was a show that had, even till it's season one ending a host of potential that could have used maybe a stronger network and series writers to clean up it's mess and make it the television gold it deserved to be. One thing is for sure, this viewer certainly hopes "Touching Evil" makes a triumphant and much cleaned return.
Detective David Creegan (played brilliantly by Jeffery Donovan, of "Blair Witch II" fame), is such a detective. who along with his new and most reluctant partner Detective Susan Branca (played with notable exception by Vera Farmiga, of "Roar" fame).
Having not seen the British show, I can safely say this will not be a comparison review. "Touching Evil" as said in the title practically screams with potential but never fully realizes (in the first season anyway) it's true potential and seems lost like other USA shows in the eternal struggle to be unique and go it's own route or follow the tired and true cliché's of network television that often make for series hit gold. Donovan is well matched to play a character, not all that different (post gun shot) from his character in "Blair Witch Project II", but still intriguing and beguiling and magnetic enough to keep a viewer returning. Dark and eerily toned the series doens't follow the classic "single strong antagonist serial killer villain" that other shows with a similar plot line seem to focus on. But instead a number of killers whom as the title promises, we get to see inside the very nature of who they are and what makes them evil. With excellent actors and wonderfully developed and realistic characters the show is a rare gem.
However "Touching Evil" was canceled before it reached it's true potential and as such like so many other shows canceled in the first season didn't quite realize it's own true voice and as such came out disjointed and often times lost under it's own creepy atmosphere. The chaotic mess that is David Creegan, is perhaps the most straight forward essence to the show as we can easily follow along with his development as a character and also see in flashbacks where he was coming from and who he was while recovering from the gunshot wound to his head.
The uneven portions of the show were perhaps the agency Creegan himself co created. Unsure of whether it wanted to maintain a strict "branch of the USA law enforcement" or move into that "super secret agency" territory that "Alias" has claimed. While Vera Farmiga is a talented and likable actress she balances precariously on the edge of being a clichéd cop "wonder woman" that the viewer only saw hints of towards the end of the series. Another uneven portion of the show was perhaps the creepy atmosphere, more attune to perhaps a television serial version of "Silence of the Lambs" and "The Sixth Sense" the show tried desperately to maintain the creed (like the former ABC show "Blind Justice" )that it wouldn't descend into the realm of supernatural. Despite teetering unclear on that edge.
The show could have used perhaps a second return to the drawing board to clear up the atmosphere and character disjointed follies it had. As well as a definite brightening of the cinematography.
"Touching Evil" was a show that had, even till it's season one ending a host of potential that could have used maybe a stronger network and series writers to clean up it's mess and make it the television gold it deserved to be. One thing is for sure, this viewer certainly hopes "Touching Evil" makes a triumphant and much cleaned return.