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Reaper is the only new show that I like from the 2007-2008 season. Earlier in the year, a lot of critics compared Reaper unfavorably to Chuck. They claimed that Reaper hewed too closely to a formula and that the characters plodded through each episode. But as much as I wanted to like Chuck, and as much as I do lust Yvonne Strahovski, Chuck is the show that seems to follow a dull recipe.
Reaper started off with a pattern in the early episodes, but I kept watching because I loved all the characters. The three main characters (Sam, Sock, and Ben) are modern-day slacker GhostBusters, hunting down the Devil's rejects from hell. Ray Wise is so damned likable as the Devil that you would love to hang out with him in a bar. The first few shows were variations on the pilot (directed by Kevin Smith) where Sam gets a briefing on the escaped soul from Hell, receives a goofy Vessel (click here for a complete list of Vessels), fumbles the initial encounter, but later recovers and finds a way to capture the soul. Sam lived at home with his parents, who sold his soul to the Devil before he was born. In one episode we watched as Sam's father burned a few key pages in the binding contract they made. This is a key plot point that will be further developed in the season finale on May 20th.
The writers started breaking down the formula mid-way through the season, and went even further after the writers strike. "Unseen" had the boys move out of their parents homes and into a nice bachelor pad. Their gay couple neighbors (played by Michael Ian Black and Ken Marino) spoil them silly with gourmet food and expensive alcohol. The plot thickened when Sam discovered that the neighbors are Demons, but good ones, trying to overthrow Satan. Later, Sam finds out that the Devil arranged for him to live in the condo for the purpose of spying on his rebellious employees. This is also playing out into the season finale.
Sam's stalled relationship with Andi (Missy Peregrym) was a disaster in the early episodes, nothing but longing looks and tender moments at the Work Bench. The Devil told Sam that she could never know his secret. Later, the Devil rescinded this edict, after saying that Sam owed him a big favor in return (the Demon rebellion). What would any woman do after she witnessed her boyfriend beheading a man and claiming that he worked for Satan? Run! Which is what Andi did, forcing Sock and Ben to tie her up and put her in the trunk of their car. Somehow it all worked out and Andi adjusted to Sam's new job. Until last week's episode, when an old boyfriend used Satanic powers to sway her away from Sam. I liked Missy Peregrym ever since I saw her on Heroes and she's grown on me even more in this show.
As the first season of Reaper is getting ready to conclude, the show looks like it has lots of potential. We've got a full fledged Scooby gang now that Andi has joined the crew. The Satanic support network just keeps growing; in "Greg, Schmeg" Jeff Kober (Dodger from China Beach) appeared as Dennis, a twitchy-hippie Demon who runs a storage facility for Satanic supplies. Sam is getting smarter about dealing with the Devil, figuring out how to nullify Greg's contract and advising others on how to stay away from Satan. These guys still fumble the ball when it comes to chasing down sinners, but it's a lot of goofy fun.
Looks like the CW is going to renew Reaper for a second season. I sure as Hell hope so. Nuff said.
Link: Krakoom, Bret Harrison's Official Site.
Link: Bret Harrison Inteview on EW about Season One finale.
Link: E Online reports that Reaper will be renewed for Season Two.
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