Television Review: Bionic Woman

by Pat Johnson


If just reading the title makes you a little skeptic, then you and I are in the same demographic boat. I tend to view remakes of dated shows with a cautious eye. It always looks like a gamble. If the creators screw up, all they've done is piss off what's left of the fan base and add their names to the sorry list of writers/directors whose pride overshadowed their ability. However, every once in a while I'm surprised at how much a reinterpretation can improve and augment a show's mythos. At their best, remakes distill the elements that translate to modern audiences into potent coolness. Such was the success of Bionic Woman. I can't argue perfection, but it's the freshman series to beat and one on the top tier of remakes of all time. The action is fast and impressive, the characters are well-defined and occasionally funny, and the story pulls you in and leaves you wanting more. My only complaint would be that it doesn't have hooks in me. I recognize its quality, but I don't find myself thinking about it after it's over. If you were waiting for a new show to take a chance on, this is one of the best bets on the primetime.

9/11

Contact: pat@king-sheep.com