The Morning After: Care for Pie? Back for Seconds?

Wow....simply wow. I LOVED this show - hit all the right buttons. Sad, whimsical, funny, beautiful, romantic....and the chemistry between Anna Friel and Lee Pace couldn't have been better. Throw in one of the deepest supporting casts I've ever seen (Chi McBride, Kristen Chenowith, Swoosie Kurtz) and I think you have a winner.

I, at least, know that I'll be tuning in every week. I LOVED this show, and the chances it takes...amazing, just amazing.

I loved the show too. This episode felt a little rushed at times. But they had a lot of rules to set up and I think with all the time constraints they pulled it off the best they could. After hearing countless things about the show I was still surprised at times. I didn't know Chi McBride could be funny. It's wierd seeing him make jokes after his serious role on The Nine (RIP) last season.

Hope it got high ratings last night.

Okay, what's wrong with me? I thought the show was way too cute and actually a bit dull. I'm ready to be convinced, but I'm not sure there's anything there.

I thought it was fine - nothing to go crazy about. I too was disturbed by the death of Ned's mother. I'll give it another shot but I'm not in love. Reaper's pilot was better.

@Lee - I don't think there's anything wrong with you. This show is not by any means for everyone - it is very cute and whimsical (which truly is the best adjective for this show) and as such doesn't play as entertainment for many, who like their shows more "real" and not so much "fairy-tale-esque."

That being said, I think television today - with its grisly crime procedurals, soapy sex-filled dramas, and sarcastic comedies - could use a touch of whimsy. Pushing Daisies isn't the main course for television fans - but as a sorbet to cleanse the pallet for more "serious" television, it's pitch perfect.

@James - I know this is shamefully early for a prediction, but if Pushing Daisies survives, how does ABC's Wednesday night lineup look when Lost returns? I think we're all assuming that Big Shots goes the way of Nashville, which will mean an opening post-Grey's for Private Practice (or, probably more likely, October Road). So where does Lost fit in? I for one think that Private Practice is SOOOO different in tone from Lost that it would/could work as a Lost lead-in: a nice, pleasant, relaxing fun show before dropping into the edge-of-your-seat intensity of Lost.

@chaddogg: Assuming they throw in Lost at 9 p.m.--they had said that the 10 p.m. move was a mistake, or something to that effect--Private Practice (or Dirty Sexy Money) is not necessarily a bad lead-out, insofar as history has shown that viewers do not necessarily want to follow Lost with yet another dark, involved serial (e.g., Invasion). If Pushing Daisies is successul, that may be a better 8 p.m. show, but what do I know?

October Road... I do not get that. ABC has this weird pattern of delaying cancellation of shows that are not particularly good and are clearly doomed ratings-wise (Jake in Progress, What About Brian--though I somewhat liked What About Brian at least). Don't see why they shouldn't have put October Road out of our misery by now.

@James - I think the answer to the October Road question is because it actually did decent in the ratings, thanks in part to the Grey's lead-in. I agree with you, though - that show might have worked as a mini-series, but there's no way it lasts any longer this season. It's like watching a television series based on "Beautiful Girls"...if it was set in permanent autumn.

As for your original question regarding whether I bought the emotions - I think for me the answer is an unqualified yes. I bought Ned's simultaneous bewilderment, horror, guilt and terror at his powers. This is CLEARLY a guy with a large heart who has been cursed with this power, and because of it he has retreated from physical contact with anyone (dead or alive), and yet at the same time held on to his first true, pure love. And in an amazing twist of fate, his power caused her to similarly retreat to a life of isolation with her aunts, and retain her similar pure, first love for him.

I mean, admit it - your heart ached when they were lying on opposite sides of the wall and "touched" through the wall, or kissed using the ceramic/gold monkeys, didn't it? I mean, those were two of the most romantic scenes I've seen on television in a long time, and it is a credit to the writers/actors/directors that such pure emotions were able to be pulled off without physical contact - sure it's Victorian in a sense, but in a way pure love like this is, in our modern over-sexed day, MORE entrancing and beautiful. It's like romantic movies - everyone agrees that the OLD ones, from a more chaste era, did romance better than modern ones. The same thing applies with Pushing Daisies: the love story is completely believeable, beautiful, and heart-breakingly perfect BECAUSE it is so pure and (in a way) unsullied by actual contact.

It's not Ned and Chuck's bodies connecting on the screen - it's their souls and hearts. And that's pretty fantastic.

I thought Pushing Daisies was the best of the new Fall shows I've seen, at least this pilot episode anyway. I loved it, and my pop culture oblivious wife, loved it too. Thank you James for massively pimping it, because by premise alone, I was not interested.

My sad prediction though, is that it ultimately will tank in the ratings. I was trying to describe it to some co-workers today, and well, the premise just sounds so dopey unless you've actually seen the show that I'm not sure how it can attract an audience.

It reminded me of "Wonderfalls" from a few years back, and I wonder if won't find the same fate. It may ultimately be too cute and whimsical in this CSI world we live in. I do hope that ABC sticks with it, because I found it really compelling.

@James: Have you seen any other episodes? How can they possibly keep up the production values for a 22 ep season? Because this pilot was one the most visually impressive (and incredible in HD) shows I've ever seen.

@Kevin: I have not seen any future episodes, which is why I sort of want to put a provisional asterisk by my praise. I've mentioned this before, but anyone remember how awesome the pilot of Dark Angel looked? Anyone remember how not so awesome the regular epissodes of Dark Angel looked?

@Chaddogg: I agree with you about whimsy, and I actually had pretty high hopes for this coming as a pre-packaged fan (I really like Fuller's work, and thought Wonderfalls was fantastic). But it felt like Daises was trying so hard to make me like it. Bright, funky colors! Arch voiceover! Pie Hole!

I'm also sick to death of the procedurals ruining decent premises (hello, K-Ville), but I don't see any drama here except, funny enough, the procedural element. Makes it a bit of a Wonderfalls/Tru Calling mash-up, which... oy.

This show looks like something Tim Burton would make, and for that I love it. I wonder, though, if subsequent episodes will be as visually stunning, without the larger budget given to pilots. Only drawback? Watching it made me want a piece of pie in the worst way. I fear if it succeeds I will soon be unable to get off the couch.

@Lee - I don't know about the whole procedural thing. Sure, this show is probably going to have a number of "mysteries" to solve. But there's nothing to stop it from going off in a multitude of other directions - exploring the origin of Ned's "power," dealing with life/death, the relationships of the characters (i.e. what if Chuck starts "dating"?), keeping the Piehole running, etc.

I guess I'm just not so sure that this show is going to fall into rote procedural format - more likely it will use procedural storylines frequently, but by no means exclusively.

And am I alone in loving the narration? I didn't really feel the show was TRYING too hard - I just thought it was quirky, and I can appreciate some quirk on TV.

I really wanted to love the show, but found it difficult. I did have a bit of trouble connecting to the emotions of the characters (with the previously mentioned wall scene and monkey kiss scene being the exceptions). Even though Jim Dale is quite possibly the best narrator in the universe, having a narrator who isn't one of the characters creates distance between the characters and the viewers.

But based on how much I loved Dead Like Me and Wonderfalls, I'll give Pushing Daisies a lot of chances before I give up on it.

I loved the pilot episode of Pushing Daisies. It's the only show I've seen in a long time that had me totally into that new world in the first episode. I realize it's whimsical tone is not for everybody, but I think it's refreshing in a sea of crime and medical dramas. Although I do agree with James about the lack of dark emotions in the show. Maybe because I'm such a huge fan of Six Feet Under that I really wanted more depth when it came to a) Ned's mother's death b) accidentally killing his childhood love's dad and c) his reaction to killing the funeral director. The show presented it like the funeral director was a bad guy anyway, but you'd think a decent person would be a little more affected than Ned appeared to be. Of course, maybe all these themes will flesh out as the series progresses.

@Hold - I think you've kind of hit the nail on the head with your analysis. Right there are a NUMBER of themes that can be explored, allowing the show to escape the "murder of the week" trap.

For example, while Ned has kept his dog alive, what if there are additional dark effects that happen from keeping a human alive beyond the 1 minute mark (besides someone else dying)? Is there a "reaper" (sorry to steal from another network here) in the future that will seek to bring Chuck back to the dead side? What are the long term effects on Ned from knowing he caused his mother's death (besides his fear of physical touching/intimacy, which the pilot did explore a bit)? What if people find out about Ned's power, and seek to force him to use/abuse it (with or without knowing about the consequences)?

I'm sorry I'm talking so much about this show, but I quite simply loved it, and you all know how I get when it comes to great (in my humble opinion) television shows - just check out the old Lostwatches for proof. Plus my Cubs lost last night, so this is taking my mind off that (at least until tonight's pivotal Game 2).

@Chaddog: I hear you, and I'm willing to give it a few more chances. Part of my reaction is that I didn't expect to feel lukewarm after watching it. I really hoped to be pulled into their world, but instead, like a few others have mentioned, I felt like I was merely watching it. Massive points for effort, and we'll see where the next few eps take us.

Watched with my daughter both loved it. It would not have worked without the whimsical/fairytale feel to it. If had of taken itself too seriously it would of just been lame. Excellent mix of known and unknown actors - casting is well done. Love the Pie Hole not to mention the Aunts!

Dirty Sexy Money is awesome, its all about Krause - he's a stand out star among the "rich and bratty". Hope it sticks. Big Shots should be called Big Sh*ts won't even look into the 2nd night - waxing balls GROSS.

I loved the show. Barry Sonnenfeld (The Addams Family movies & the Men in Black movies) directed it, so his sense of humor (rather twisted) fits right in with this show.

I'll be eagerly awaiting each week's new episode.

Of course, being the cynic I am, I'm not expecting the show to last. Sometimes, it just takes a network to cancel a show, not a lack of viewers.

Not for me. Even the "whimsical" bit didn't get me over the premise of the whole concept. I keep thinking Stephen King will pop out at any time. *shudder*

@Hazel: "Big Shots should be called Big Sh*ts won't even look into the 2nd night - waxing balls GROSS."

LOL -- best review I've read this season. We should have a one-sentence-review contest at Tuned In sometime.

You and me, Kuro, but not just because I'm a cynic. Sonnenfeld won't be directing many more (any more?) episodes, and they can't possibly spend as much money every week as they spent (blew) on the pilot. I don't think it's cynical to believe that the show is too quirky to draw large crowds. I'll stick with it, but I'm prepared for the worst. (By January. Okay, *that's* cynical.)

Tried to like it but ultimately found it flat in spite of cool sets and interesting premise. Quirky but not really funny. Narration reminded me of Lemony Snickets movie which also tried so hard to be all things but ultimately failed to be much of anything except a visual smorgasbord.

After a series of so-so premeires (Reaper is the only other new show I've seen that has promise IMHO) and less than compelling returning shows HEROES, I was really glad that Pushing Daisies delivered. Sure, I want to see if they can maintain the tone, look & feel of the show six episodes in, but I'm there until I see otherwise.

Chaddogg: I love your comments on the show, they were spot on - and quite beautiful, in the case of the first one.
The rather insane amounts of quirk did make me squirm for the first twenty minutes, but gradually, I was won over, and in the end, completely charmed. And I don't know why, but every time the narrator started a sentence with "The Pie Maker...", I got all warm and fuzzy inside.

I think the fantastical love story/murder mystery thing is a bit awkward...I also wonder how they'll be able to recreate this whimsical, romantic tone 22 times this year without it getting forced and stale. I thought the show was cute, but not as emotionally satisfying as I expected (given the level of hype about how enchanting it was).