The Cape Season 1 Episode 1 & 2 Review

channel: NBC

show creator: Tom Wheeler

genre: Action, Adventure, Superhero

aired: January 9, 2011

Season 1, Episode 1 & 2

If there ever was a time for a lousy but nonetheless fun and silly TV show to be made, it was back in the day when we had Lois and Clark, Hercules and Zena on TV. A time where many TV shows didn't rely on realistic events, plausible characters or smart explanations to the shows events. These mediocre shows had their positive attributes as what they did was done very well. The Cape instead of being like those shows and finding definite style for itself. It mixes serious and silliness far too often and loses the mark. Its also not helped by the fact that its trying to capitalize on the superhero popularity of late. But its biggest problem is that its a silly, cliched and unoriginal ripoff of so many other franchises that not for a second can be taken seriously.

The Cape follows Vince Faraday (David Lyons) a loyal cop in the city of Palm City.Corruption has striked the city and the police are trying to get a hang of things on the inside of their police force and on the out with the criminals. This proves less likely with the villainous Chess (James Frain) out to destroy the city. Things get only worse when Faraday is framed as Chess himself and has to know fight back. But how?

Wont spoil the whole storyline but need to point out a few things that are necessary for the review. Faraday in a effort to fight back Chess, decides to become his son's comic book hero the Cape and save the city. He is accompanied by a mysterious figure Orwell and a gang of thieves. Together they will fight back.

Now let me just start by saying that the show dosen't do that much that is original. It really is a copy/past of many comic book franchises and of other entertainment material. The idea of a private police force (Robocop) the mysterious figure Orwell (Oracle from the comics Batman) the Cape himself just borrows elements from anyone he can the Shadow, Batman and whoever else. The bad guy Scales (Killer Croc). And the villain Chess is just silly and not worth mentioning any further. 

The problem with the show is that its a B-movie TV show that tries to take it self seriously when for the most part its way too silly and of poor quality. The money spent here in my opinion could have gone somewhere else and put to better use. The Cape does have nice explosions, the directing isn't horrendous and it does has very good and well known actors. But the story is unoriginal, foreseeable and without a sense of suspense or drama.

The first two episodes were shown together as a big season premier but as expected was met with lackluster reviews. But it did get very high ratings with 8 million people watching the season premiere. Interesting to see if this will change with continuation of the show.

The Cape is a Lois and Clark or Hercules style of TV show. To enjoy it you just have to go with it. Dont think of the stupidity, the costumes, the villains, the dialogue or that so many great actors are working on terrible projects or the fact that shows I just mentioned are way way better than this. Enjoy it for what it is. A piece of crap.