Discussion of Episode 1.01 "Pilot" - Aired 9/25/07 (CW-US)

[Vilandra]

Sam Oliver has always been the slacker with no goals or purpose. However, his life takes an unprecedented new direction on his twenty-first birthday, when he discovers that his parents sold his soul to the devil and he must now become Satan's personal bounty hunter.

Source: Reaper Episode Guide - Reaper Season Episodes - TV.com (http://www.tv.com/reaper/show/68745/episode.html?om_act=convert&om_clk=tabssh&tag=tabs;episodes)

[goldenboy]

OK, I hadn't seen this till last night. It was good, slightly better and smarter than I was even expecting. I know Kevin Smith backed out of directing the Green Hornet at on point, out of fear, I guess. But I think he could handle comic book action flick now.

And I do understand the Buffy comparisons. It probably is the closest thing to the Buffy/Angel genre on TV right now.

[teentitan]

This is nowhere near the Buffy/Angel genre! This is a saterical comedy that goes for the laugh first moral/character development second. Sure Sam is going to be the conscious but Sock's is the well devilish let's have fun with the situation.
The dog jumping up and down and buddy timing the opening of the car door was frickn' hilarious!!!! Sitting there all dressed up waiting for the dirt devil to charge? Tape hand? Funny s**t!!!
The comments from the devil were refreshing. He knows he is going to loose to God, he was caught off guard with the sudden expansion in hell, he uses the DMV as a drop off spot. Come on how else are you supposed to look at this show? It's a comedy from start to end...and I love it.

[goldenboy]

I think it's an overraction to say this is "nowhere near" Buffy/Angel. Guess it depends on what you want to stress in your descriptions.

You don't consider Buffy satirical comedy? Ultimately, Buffy's kind of coming-of-age drama, feminist girl power drama. But high school satire was there from the beginning.

I agree this a satirical comedy first. A more cynical, even "nihilistic" comedy, so far.

How do we know this show's going to keep morality, larger issues on the back burner? I mean Sam's not a total amoral clueless loser. He made multiple, dangerous, moral decisions.

[Vilandra]

You could see Kevin Smith's fingerprints all over the pilot - would be nice if they could keep up that style going forward.

I would go with not being the same genre as Buffy, because Buffy was a drama first and a comedy second, Reaper is the opposite.

[goldenboy]

I suppose. Kevin Smithy for sure.

[prydain]

I honestly don't consider Buffy to be a real "drama". From the name to the actual product, it has satire written all over it, and when it's dramatic it's usually WAY over the top melodrama, and there's comedic relief pretty much every five minutes. Still, I don't think Reaper is all that similar, and it's definitely lighter and even sillier than Buffy, but both are satirical.

Even though I loved the pilot I hope they alter the show some, I think there should be more black humor in it, the slapstick stuff will wear thin for me eventually.

[teentitan]

I think it's an overraction to say this is "nowhere near" Buffy/Angel. Guess it depends on what you want to stress in your descriptions.

You don't consider Buffy satirical comedy? Ultimately, Buffy's kind of coming-of-age drama, feminist girl power drama. But high school satire was there from the beginning.

I agree this a satirical comedy first. A more cynical, even "nihilistic" comedy, so far.

How do we know this show's going to keep morality, larger issues on the back burner? I mean Sam's not a total amoral clueless loser. He made multiple, dangerous, moral decisions.

That's why I don't see Reaper as a Buffy/Angel genre because it is not a high school coming of age show.
It's just satirical humour. The devil is using Sam to capture his escapee's because of the overflow of occupants in hell.
I think the Devil is the one who is going to point out 'the moral of the story' points. Now that's satirical. Can't wait to see all the different ways Sam is going to capture the damned as instructed by the Devil.
I think though it is going to be hard to maintain that Kevin Smith touch because afterall there is only one Kevin Smith.

[edb]

Kevin Smith.....just had to look him up on IMDB 'lol' Only thing before this I have even seen that has anything to do with him is the pilot of Heroes. Seriously - I know.... I live a sheltered life. ;)

Anyway, I loved this show, it's not that often that a show actually makes me laugh out loud these days, but this did. I really enjoyed all of it, and can't wait to see next weeks. :D

[Vilandra]

How have you known me and Rose Tyler all these years and never seen anything by Kevin Smith????

[goldenboy]

That's why I don't see Reaper as a Buffy/Angel genre because it is not a high school coming of age show.

I wonder though...Sam might just stay a dumb schlub, victim of circumstance. But it seems like this has the potential to become a clueless-slacker-becomes-a-man story, and still be a good dark comedy. I'm curious where it's going in that respect. Maybe nowhere. Yeah, the Devil's the most insightful character, no doubt.

[Mr Pointy]

We finally got Reaper in the UK a couple of days ago. I liked it a lot...a supernatural, superhero comedy show with a knowing wink...and Kevin Smith's paw prints all over it ;) What's not to like? I look forward to catching up with the rest of you...

[prydain]

I gave up on this.

[N4H]

I still watch it. I enjoy it for what it is. I like Sock.

[prydain]

I enjoy the humor but the show is just slow, EVERY episode feels like a THREE HOUR MOVIE, no joke, it just feels unbelievably long. I'm a huge fan of the main star, mainly from the awesome FOX comedy "The Loop", and I love shows like this, but Reaper just fails for me. Loved the first couple of episodes but after you see those you've basically seen them all.

To be honest I wish it'd just get canceled and get replaced by a higher quality genre show, and also so the main star can find another gig.

[Vilandra]

You know, every episode I watch I forget it's not a half hour show lol