“Exposé”
An excellent episode that could almost stand on its own and feels like a Tales from the Crypt story. The back-story of Nikki and Paulo is told and we relive key moments from the crash up to the present through their eyes. Culminating in a blackly comic final scene this is an episode that anyone can enjoy, not just fans of the show. It serves no purpose in the bigger picture but it was a fun way to spend an hour.
Raines
“Pilot”
It’s appropriate that this series takes its name from the lead character as it’s very much a throwback to the '70s when almost every cop show took its name from the central character – Columbo, Cannon, Kojak… the list goes on. The rest of the cast aren’t really fleshed out and (like those '70s shows) it stands or falls on the strength of its lead actor. Jeff Goldblum is clearly up to the task, making Raines funny, quick-witted, and charismatic.
The twist with this series, its gimmick, is that Raines sees and talks to the murder victims. They’re really only figments of his imagination, allowing him to put the pieces of the crimes together, but they provide a source of both comedy and drama that this pilot episode takes full advantage of. Alexa Davalos as this week’s victim holds her own against the seasoned Goldblum. She’s so good in fact that you almost don’t want him to solve the crime. A great first episode of what promises to be a refreshingly old fashioned series.
“Meet Juan Doe”
This time the victim is a Mexican man who crossed the border illegally with his wife and baby. The mystery of why he crossed the border comes as no surprise; the idea of a hitman traveling with family in tow is far too ridiculous to be believed. The ending overdoes it on the emotional front and leaves you wondering how the series (and Raines himself) would fare if he has to investigate a murder where the victim got what was coming to them. Hopefully it’s something we’ll find out soon. The episode also introduces Madeleine Stowe as the psychiatrist Raines is ordered to see. It’s a relatively small part and one that seems unlikely to grow so it’s a little surprising that a “name” actress like Stowe would go for it.
“Reconstructing Alice”
After dealing with illegal immigrants last time the series turns its attention to the homeless for this third episode. It has its moments thanks mainly to the ever watchable Goldblum but it’s hard to see a bright future for a series that ends each week with such an overdose of sentimentality.
Article comments
1 - Margaret
You're allowed your opinion of Blood Ties but as a fan I feel you're wrong. It's supposed to have somewhat of a dark look. It is well written, well acted, humorous, camp, just exactly what a vamp show needs to be. Thank God not everyone believes critics or if they do, they occassionally watch the show to see if you know what you're talking about. Either way its good as you draw attention to the show. You just happen to have the wrong opinion about the show though, its great.