This is the most entertaining show I've seen in a long time. Now I can only hope that they can keep what the creators of HAPPY TOWN have done up and running.
The similarity to TWIN PEAKS is obvious, with a huge commercial bakery standing in for the mill. The action starts out with a (surprisingly graphic) murder and then begins introducing the cast of very strange characters.
Better yet, this is clearly an homage to the giallo genre, the Italian slasher films. Young woman on her own trying to solve a mystery? Check. Creepy settings? Check. A man lacking in self confidence trying to act as an authority figure and restore order? Check. Story element tied to the arts? Check. Long running disputes with hidden motives going way back? Check. Smart people doing stupid things that violate all the rules of common sense? Check. Elderly women, who sometimes act as a chorus in commenting on the action? Check.
Better yet, the camera work is pure giallo. The lightning is atmospheric, creating a sense of lurking menace. And the color is as saturated as can be. Scenes are often bathed in blue or green light to heighten the mood.
Since the network has given us this show and FLASHFORWARD this year, ABC can be officially forgiven for having created and unleashed DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES and GREY'S ANATOMY on an unsuspecting world.
The similarity to TWIN PEAKS is obvious, with a huge commercial bakery standing in for the mill. The action starts out with a (surprisingly graphic) murder and then begins introducing the cast of very strange characters.
Better yet, this is clearly an homage to the giallo genre, the Italian slasher films. Young woman on her own trying to solve a mystery? Check. Creepy settings? Check. A man lacking in self confidence trying to act as an authority figure and restore order? Check. Story element tied to the arts? Check. Long running disputes with hidden motives going way back? Check. Smart people doing stupid things that violate all the rules of common sense? Check. Elderly women, who sometimes act as a chorus in commenting on the action? Check.
Better yet, the camera work is pure giallo. The lightning is atmospheric, creating a sense of lurking menace. And the color is as saturated as can be. Scenes are often bathed in blue or green light to heighten the mood.
Since the network has given us this show and FLASHFORWARD this year, ABC can be officially forgiven for having created and unleashed DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES and GREY'S ANATOMY on an unsuspecting world.