Creator(s): Dana Fox
Network/Writer(s): FOX/Dana Fox
Director: Jake Kasdan
Actors: Dakota Johnson, Nat Faxon, Lucy Punch, Maggie Elizabeth Jones, Echo Kellum
Tagline/Summary: His sister. Her daughter. Who's raising who?
***
[NOTE: This review may contain spoilers, so please watch the show before reading, or don't.]Sitcoms always work better when there is a set unit. "Seinfeld" had Jerry, George, Elaine and Kramer; "Friends" had the six leads; and "How I Met Your Mother" has had the same group since the pilot. Usually the smaller the group the better because it's easier to develop characters if each is given significant screen time. "Friends" used the trick of always writing scenes that involved at least three of the character. The more focused the sitcom the better.
"Ben and Kate's" number is three: siblings Ben (Faxon) and Kate (Johnson) along with her daughter, Maddie (Jones). This trio already has the relateablity needed for a prolonged sitcom. To be fair, the laughs aren't completely there yet, but the pilot laid a lot of ground work required to have a successful show. They have likeable characters, a plausible plot and instant chemistry between the actors.
The pilot is very focused and tight. It centers around showing how completely opposite Ben and Kate are, but instead of telling the audience through dialogue, they show it with each character's story.
Ben has returned to convince a former love to take him back. He hasn't spoken to her in a year, but he's willing to take a risk and crash her wedding. Kate, on the other hand, is very conservative in her decision making, which is why she's waited until the 10th date to have sex with her boyfriend (Ben Foster). It was a well thought out and executed idea to use relationships as the way to show the differences in the siblings.
Even though both fail in their efforts, they grow closer together and we instantly feel the love they have for each other. The writing in this episode was the ultimate example of show vs. tell. Sure, you have to tell some things because you need background, but I was able to learn more about the characters from their actions than the exposition that was spoken. Unfortunately, this isn't always true on television, especially 30-minute shows.
Strong writing is always a good sign for a series. The most encouraging thing is that they haven't fleshed out the supporting characters: Kate's friend BJ (Punch) and Ben's friend Tommy (Kellum). It also bodes well that they didn't exploit Maddie in the first episode. They included just enough cute moment and interesting interaction with Ben to let us understand her and her place in the show. She's going to be a scene-stealer. If there was a negative, it was that show wasn't laugh-a-minute. But, honestly, what series is nowadays.
"Ben and Kate" has the potential to be a subtle, but surprise hit for Fox in the same way "Raising Hope" was a few years ago. The best compliment that can be given at this moment is that the audience cares what happens next. Like I've mentioned in past reviews, the pilot is meant to get the public hooked, but episodes 2 and 3 are what reels them in permanently. And if what was showcased in the series opener continues, there's nothing that should stop "Ben and Kate" from becoming a staple on television.
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