S01.E01: Peace in the Valley

[AnimeMania]

When a pharmacy heist becomes a murder investigation, Eden Vale Police Chief, Big Hank (Clancy Brown), coaxes estranged son, Henry (Luke Cook), home to partner with his detective big sister, Lou (Leighton Meester), despite their wildly different personalities and policing methods. 

Premiere Date: February 19, 2025     CW       9pm

[AnimeMania]

It was well written, but could have been a little more interesting. I still can not picture how that guy used the antlers to kill the other guy, I would call BS and seeing how it was done would have helped a lot.

[possibilities]

Yeah, in theory the antlers could be used to stab someone, but I wouldn't think they'd be easy to weild while attached to the head. I'd also think it would take A LOT of force to get them to pierce flesh that deeply. The guy didn't seem like he'd be stron genough, and also it just seemed like the puncture wounds were too small to match the antlers. Plus, why wouldn't he sanitize the antlers after using them, instead of leaving them bloody?

I think we will have to watch this show with a less fussy mind, and try to appreciate the "quirky" aspects of the town, and the dynamic between the siblings-- neither of which I'm sure yet about whether I actually will like, though I did appreciate that by the end of the episode they seemed to be enjoying each other rather than her acting like he's a burden. If her actual problem with him is that he left, not that he is who he is, that is better than if it's going to be a show all about how the neurotypical person is annoyed by the person who isn't. I don't think representation is worth having if it's just going to be insulting.

Seeing the two of them ally against their corrupt parent might be interesting, though the fact that his corruption is why they both have jobs does undermine the premise. Nepo babies vs corrupt parent smacks of "we're not taking this at all seriously-- and not only because it's a comedy".

I am also side-eyeing the step-mother, who is such a caricature that it's hard to think of anything else to say about her besides that she is one.

I thought it was interesting that the cop assigned to work with the brother likes and identifies with the brother and was excited to work with him. Being a fan since high school rather than just another person rolling their eyes at him was a good beat. And the way the brother decided to give the cop credit for their lead shows that he does actually know how to... think creatively... to get around obstacles. He's listening, even when he's frustrated by someone, and he's able to make use of ideas and resources that arise, and form alliances with willing partners. I liked that.

Edited Thursday at 05:40 PM by possibilities

[AnimeMania]

When they said that all the holes were made at the same time I was thinking Pitchfork or a garden cultivator.

[kaygeeret]

This is a pretty unique concept and I will stick with it.

Will the brother be identified as neurotypical or remain as a merely annoying sib.

Time will tell.

[Sarah 103]

On 2/20/2025 at 12:34 PM, possibilities said:

Plus, why wouldn't he sanitize the antlers after using them, instead of leaving them bloody?

My guess is that he did but because we are working with TV Land logic/rules, he did not completely clean it and there were traces of blood or at least enough for them to get DNA (again, TV Land Logic is in play). 

On 2/20/2025 at 12:34 PM, possibilities said:

If her actual problem with him is that he left, not that he is who he is, that is better than if it's going to be a show all about how the neurotypical person is annoyed by the person who isn't.

I think Lou's problem with Henry is that he went against the family publically. I think she's more upset that he wrote the editorial, not that he left. I think Lou may be annoyed by Henry, but she also loves him, even though she does find him frustrating at times. 

On 2/20/2025 at 12:34 PM, possibilities said:

Seeing the two of them ally against their corrupt parent might be interesting, though the fact that his corruption is why they both have jobs does undermine the premise. 

I'm hoping to see how they work together or clash as they try to navigate the corruption.   

On 2/20/2025 at 12:34 PM, possibilities said:

I am also side-eyeing the step-mother, who is such a caricature that it's hard to think of anything else to say about her besides that she is one.

I can maybe see the character appearing in an early draft of the script, but I can't believe she actually made it to the screen. I love old and modern classic TV shows and I don't think she's funny. I think it's a character type/joke that would have worked/played well 30 or 40 years ago but I do not think is funny or works well now. 

On 2/20/2025 at 12:34 PM, possibilities said:

I thought it was interesting that the cop assigned to work with the brother likes and identifies with the brother and was excited to work with him. Being a fan since high school rather than just another person rolling their eyes at him was a good beat. And the way the brother decided to give the cop credit for their lead shows that he does actually know how to... think creatively... to get around obstacles. He's listening, even when he's frustrated by someone, and he's able to make use of ideas and resources that arise, and form alliances with willing partners. I liked that.

I think the reason the brother gave Joe (I think that's the beat cop's name) credit was that if the beat cop found the lead/had the idea, then Henry technically would not have to call in Lou, because it was not Henry's lead, it was the other cop's lead. It's the classic, "exactly what you said" routine. 

I'm curious to learn more about the relationship between Henry and Joe and what their relationship was like in high school. 

I want to know more about Henry in high school just in general. Did teachers like him because he did his work/assignments and paid attention or did they absolutely hate him because he was constantly correcting them? Did Lou protect him or at least try to protect him?  

17 hours ago, kaygeeret said:

Will the brother be identified as neurotypical or remain as a merely annoying sib.

My guess is he will not be identified as anything. It makes it easier for the writers and avoids a whole bunch of issues. Also, it makes sense in universe too. Hank doesn't seem the type to be interested in psychoeducational testing/analysis. Since Henry was probably doing well academically, I can't see a teacher raising the issue/suggesting that Henry be tested. 

It's the pilot/first episode. There is an absolute ton of set-up that needs to happen in this episode. I'll stick with the series to see where it goes and what happens.