CT: The Family

Readers, I'm going to try something a touch different this week and review a brand new pilot for you- ABC's The Family. Because one episode in I have to say, I'm hooked. This show is tense in all the right places, well-written and brilliantly acted. 

The show focuses on the Warren family, whose youngest son, Adam, went missing ten years ago when he was 8. Their neighbor was sent to prison for his murder, even though there wasn't a body or other evidence that Adam was dead. Now, in the present, mom Claire (played by Joan Allen) is running for governor and the family has seemingly moved on from the tragedy. That's when a teenage boy is found in the nearby woods who claims to be Adam. The family is reunited, a DNA test proves that it's him, and the neighbor is released from prison and fully pardoned. All happy go lucky, smiles for all. Right? Turns out not even close. 

The Family comes from writer Jenna Bans, a regular on the Shondaland shows. Bans wrote several of my favorite episodes of Grey's Anatomy and Scandal, and she's brought that same knack for tension and interpersonal drama to her first show as creator. And really, I can't praise the writing enough. The pilot uses the trope of bouncing between the present and ten years ago, which is honestly waaaay over used lately. However, Bans navigates it skillfully, using it to reveal information about the characters and their motives precisely, rather than for shock value or cheating at exposition. I felt uneasy the entire time, like disaster was looming over this family. 

The other outstanding piece here was the acting. I don't know of another show where I've been head-over-heels for every single actor in the cast, but this was a real treat to watch. Joan Allen is the matriarch and her performance is nuanced and genuine. Rupert Graves (of BBC's Sherlock) plays her husband, a man that seems torn in a million directions. Zach Gilford (from Friday Night Lights... Sweet, tortured Saracen who I'll love forever) plays the oldest son, Dann, who is an alcoholic and wrought with guilt over his brother's disappearance. Danny is also the first to suspect that this just might not be his brother after all, but his substance abuse problems keep his family from taking him seriously. And then there's the always fantastic Allison Pill, playing Willa, the daughter who is also Claire's campaign manager. There's something majorly wrong with Willa and I personally cannot wait to see how it unfolds over the season. 

But we have to have a moment to marvel over Liam James, the hub of this broken wheel. He plays Adam, the prodigal son who almost definitely isn't what he seems. Liam James has been a favorite of me and Cait since his days on Psych, where he effortlessly captured the cool of Shawn Spencer as a kid. I knew there was something special about this young actor when he was in The Way Way Back, a movie that featured in an early Movie Crush Monday here. He is captivating to watch in The Family. Beyond the "is he, isn't he" of the whole show, James captures the deep damage of this kid. If he is Adam, we're seeing the effects of his abduction and abuse. If he isn't, then it's a whole other level of crazy happening here. And Liam James is more than up to the challenge. His performance is layered and challenging. I freaking love it. 

The Family by far one of my favorite recent pilots. It asks more questions than it answers and sets up the potential for an entire world to explore. I find myself itchy for the next episode. Am I concerned about whether or not this concept can be stretched over a full season? Yes. But not concerned enough not to be crazy excited to see what happens next. 

Happy Watching!

CT