Cast in REAPER: Acid Queen(2008).
© CW

Mania Grade: B
Episode: Acid Queen
Starring: Bret Harrison, Ray Wise, Missy Peregrym, Tyler Labine
Written By: Alan Cross
Directed By: James Head
Network: CW

Related Links

0

REAPER: Acid Queen

As hip and contemporary as Reaper tries to be, at its heart, it’s very traditional for a series that’s meant to appeal to a younger audience. Up to now Reaper has been a series that casual viewers could just jump into anytime. At the beginning of each episode, there’s a recap that sets up the premise of the series and introduces the characters so new viewers can get into the monster of the week. Sure, there’s the ongoing story of Sam’s love life, how he cares for Andi but they just can’t get it together, but this story is fairly formulaic and not complex at all. I thought when the series first started the serialized aspect of the show was going to focus on the contract Sam’s parents signed when they gave his soul to the devil. This story arc was built in a couple of early episodes but hasn’t been revisited.

Reaper has remained a fun bit of escapism, with characters who work well together and some good jokes but it’s been a series that could watched wile doing something else, unlike LOST which demands undivided attention for every episode. For many years, since Buffy really, shows geared to a younger crowd, especially the geek crowd, were serialized with story arcs that forced fans to put everything aside each week for the hour the show was on. Reaper has languished a bit in the ratings and it could definitely be due to the lack of a serialized story. Recently, word came from the producers that they were planning to introduce more serialization into the show and this week could be the start of that new direction. Sam, Sock, and Ben live next door to demons which initially appeared to be a set up for some funny jokes but this week it seems that these demons have an agenda, a reason to fight against the devil, and they want to work with Sam to that end. These new demons are charismatic and funny and are a great addition to the series so it’ll be interesting to learn what their full agenda is and to see them interact with the three amigos.

This week’s episode isn’t all chocolate and beer (things that are really good but not necessarily together) though, there’s one big problem that is dragging the show down and that’s the relationship between Andi and Sam. The two characters (and actors) have great chemistry and are fun on screen together, but the relationship they are set in is just too formulaic for a show that’s otherwise quirky and offbeat. Sam has been pining for Andi all season and this week she finally admits her true feelings to him, opening the door for the two of them to get together. Predictabl,y when they do try to get together, the demon of the week steps in the way and Andi ends up in the hospital. Sam fears that if he and Andi get together as a couple his work as a reaper will get her hurt or killed so he has to forsake any chance of the two of them being happy. I think we just saw this same thing in Smallville a season or two ago. Nowadays, Clark could care less if his job being a super hero harms his girlfriend or other bystanders. Sure, when they do get hurt he gets all emo, but he still has a relationship with Lana and hangs out with Chloe all the time. At the hospital, Sam tells Andi that they can’t be together because he doesn’t want to lose her. Could they have lifted this scene from Smallville? It would have been great to see something more unique and quirky done with Sam and Andi, but no such luck so far.

This episode isn’t perfect, for example, why is the demon of the week suddenly infatuated with Sam, and of course the previously complained about evolution of Sam and Andi’s relationship. With that said though, Sock is still hilarious, chewing the scenery of every shot he’s in and there is an intriguing set up with the neighbor demons for a new story arc. So, if you missed, it I’d recommend trying to catch it so you have the foundation for the story arc yet to come.