PILOT REVIEW: Prodigal Son

PRODIGAL SON

Starring: Tom Payne, Lou Diamond Phillips, Halston Sage, Aurora Perrineau, Frank Harts, Keiko Agena, with Bellamy Young and Michael Sheen

Created by Chris Fedak and Sam Sklaver
Written by Chris Fedak & Sam Sklaver, Directed by Lee Toland Krieger

There's a mostly forgotten movie I like called Mr. Brooks starring Kevin Costner, Demi Moore and (!) Dane Cook. It is about a well to do and respected business man who is a serial killer by night. FOX's new Prodigal Son reminds me a lot of that movie in a bit of a spiritual successor way. It is centered on the son, Malcolm Bright (Tom Payne) of a notorious serial killer, "The Surgeon" Dr. Martin Whitly (Michael Sheen). Whitly was caught when Malcolm was just a boy and even as he's entered the world of crime-solving, he has a lot of psychological issues from growing up with a serial killer who's a father - and one who insists they're "the same person" at that.

There are times where this show is a by-the-books crime procedural and other times where it seems to aim higher to try to be something more. The show is also a little bit of a jarring tonal shift where it veers from being a super moody and dark drama to a more lighthearted dramedy. I often am critical of shows that do that, but surprisingly it worked pretty well here. Even with the gloomy feel to the pilot episode, the one-liners and jokes here and there (particularly in the coroner's office) actually landed.

If I take a step back and look at this show, it all seems rather preposterous. An incarcerated dad and his odd son solving crimes together with one of them behind bars? It sounds a little laughable to put into words. But, for whatever reason, it worked on screen. Maybe it was precisely because it was a show that deals with a very serious subject matter but doesn't actually take itself too seriously. I am curious to see where this show goes in the future. I have a feeling its going to be a "case of the week" type show but it's hard to imagine a case having as much gravitas as the pilot case, which was directly related to Malcolm and Martin.

As a veteran detective, Lou Diamond Phillips is enjoyable while Bellamy Young seems entirely too young to be playing Malcolm's mother (I looked it up and she's only 12 years older than Tom Payne - and it actually seems like less). But make no mistake, this is Payne and Sheen's show. The dynamics between father and son will drive this show forward and could be what makes it a more interesting psychological show rather than just a typical crime drama. Also, I'm interested in the fact that the pilot made specific mention of Malcolm's sister, Ainsley (Halston Sage) lying to him but then never followed up on that detail. I can't imagine that was there for no reason. Maybe she will turn out to have her father's murderous traits? Or is that taking things one step too far down the preposterous trail?

WILL I WATCH IT AGAIN?
Yes. I'm curious to see what the next couple episodes of a show like this look like.