1x01 Episode One

[5.0/10] So hey, this is totally unfair to Gracepoint, but I cannot help but compare it to Broadchurch. And based on the pilot, this is a more generic, shinier, and melodramatic show. The Hollywood casting is much more in effect. David Tenant’s American accent sounds weird. Many scenes are shot-for-shot remakes of scenes from the Broadchurch pilot but with less striking lighting and color correction. The whole effort seems flat and unengaging by comparison.

There’s a good chance that someone unfamiliar with the show that spawned Gracepoint would find this perfectly fine, maybe even good. I can’t help but perceive it as a pale imitation of a first episode that I liked but didn’t love. At its worst, Broadchurch fell into some standard issue prestige drama tropes in its presentation. But Gracepoint, by contrast, often feels like a standard issue network T.V. drama, which is a cut below.

Maybe Gracepoint will find its voice over the ensuing nine episodes. With the same writer, a returning star, and other members of the creative team crossing over, there can be hope that the production group will jell over time. But there’s too little that’s better or even different here to make me want to stick around and find out.