Reaper returns and it all feels so familiar

After a long wait, the highlight of the mid-season schedule — my midseason schedule anyway — is finally here. The boys from the ‘Bench are back with work to do, and as the title says, it all feels very familiar. That’s both a good, and a not-so-good, thing. Also adding fuel to the season two fire is the introduction of a new character, Sock’s hot new sister, Kristen (Eriko Tamura).

So, familiar? On the plus side, the premiere had the wit and charm that I’ve come to expect from Reaper. There was no getting up to speed for the writers where the dialogue was concerned as we got a host of great lines. Most notably, as usual, from Sock and Jerry. From Sock laying the law down with Ben, “That is my sister… I’ve got dibs.” to Jerry musing on Sam’s occult text, “The Devil is attracted to radishes? What does that mean? Sexually? That’s disgusting!” The yuks were all there.

On the other hand, it was a bit of a let down as a premiere. There really wasn’t much, other than sheer numbers, to the souls Sam had to capture. And it gave the episode the feeling of some of those early season one episodes where the soul of the week was more of a chore than anything else. That’s unfortunate, because the show really got going last season when we got into the bigger picture, ongoing story. Not that it was horrible, and I did really like the cattle prod that needed to recharge, it just felt like it lacked a little of the scope required of a season premiere.

While it wasn’t exactly a huge opening for the season, it did set the stage nicely for what’s to come. Kristen and Sock make for a very funny couple (?). Andi is on board, which is good, because Sam and Andi fighting was going to feel rather familiar too. And most importantly, we met Alan. Sam now has a mission, and a possible way out of the deal. It’s a good place to start.

Other notes:

• Are we to believe that Sam is Jerry’s son? Nobody has come out and confirmed it, but everyone seems to be operating under that idea.
• Is Kristen really Sock’s step-sister? It seems all too convenient, not unlike the apartment they stumbled upon in season one.
• Karate Kid week continues. After Barney pledged his love for Johnny Lawrence on Monday’s How I Met Your Mother, Reaper brings us Joe Esposito’s “You’re The Best Around.”
• In case you missed it, check out the CliqueClack interview with Bret Harrison for more on what’s coming in season two.

Clacked by Brett Love
on Mar 04, 2009 @ 09:00 EST5EDT