TV Review: Samurai Girl - Page 2

At the forefront of Heaven's new found friends is Brendan Fehr as Jake Stanton, a man surprisingly young to be running his own dojo and with a "mysterious" past.  It is he who is tasked with watching over Heaven, aiding her in her quest for the truth, and training her to wield a samurai sword.  It is unclear whether the fault is Fehr's or the makers of the miniseries, but Stanton is dull, assuredly attractive to many people, but dull.

Heaven is certainly the most fully drawn of the characters, but even she lacks depth.  Her motivations from her first moment on screen are obvious, and while she learns new skills along her journey, like how to wield a samurai sword, her perception of the world seems to change very little no matter how many blows it takes.  She witnesses death and betrayals, and just keeps plowing straight ahead.  It takes her little more than a day or two to discover a way around any new obstacle.  Again, maybe in the second and third parts of the miniseries that will change, but one shouldn't hold their breath.

Stories of one's transition from youth to adulthood are, and will always be, relevant.  It's something we all go through.  Most of us don't have to learn to accept quite as much as Heaven does in Samurai Girl, but we all come to grips with our new reality eventually.  The basic problem then with Samurai Girl is that while the obstacles most people have to surmount to become an adult are far fewer than Heaven's, we all struggle far more than she appears to.  It may speak well of Heaven that she can overcome so much so easily, but it doesn't make for compelling television.

Article Author: Josh Lasser

Josh Lasser, formerly known as "TV and Film Guy," and complete with a Masters Degree in Critical Studies in said areas, gives his opinions on TV, Film, and Entertainment in general. All of which he does in a shameless attempt to try to get paid to do the exact same thing. …

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