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« Runaway
October 12, 2006: On the Run
I realize it’s not the most important thing to mention at the beginning of my first blog for Runaway, but seriously, Donnie Wahlberg is playing the middle-aged dad who’s described in the police bulletin as “gray-haired?” I wasn’t exactly a New Kids on the Block fan back in the day, but I can clearly remember a time when he was a teen idol encouraging kids to “Hang Tough” and inspiring them that they had the “Right Stuff.” Jeez, I feel old.
Although I know it’s a bit late, I really liked the premiere episode of Runaway, and I’m most impressed by the fact that it’s got three or four compelling storylines already. It’s really two genres merged into one: for the dad it’s a conspiracy thriller as he tries to unravel the mystery of who killed his former colleague and framed him and what secrets the murderers are protecting; for everyone else, it’s another “moving to a small town and reconnecting with each other” family drama in the vein of Everwood (in fact, I kept hearing this show pitched as a cross between Everwood and The Fugitive, which is as perfect a description as you could give).
For the kids, I liked that their everyday problems (am I popular at school? Can my girlfriend and I maintain a long-distance relationship?) have the stakes raised by adding in the twist that nobody can ever know anything about them, especially their past. I didn’t see the last-minute reveal that Hannah’s crush has a girlfriend coming, and I’ll bet that’s only going to fuel her need to become a part of this school’s popular crowd. Funny how even when your entire life has been turned upside down, sometimes the only thing that’s on your mind is still whether or not the cool kids like you.
As for Henry, I have to deliver a message: the late-seventies called, and they want their hairstyle back. Here’s hoping his first stab at creating a new covert identity for himself is to head straight into a barbershop and ask the man with the scissors to make him lose the shag carpeting look. C’mon, was nobody else thinking this?
The last second plot twist — that the real killers are keeping even closer tabs on Paul’s family than he had thought — was almost worthy of 24 (appropriate, since Leslie Hope is an alumni of that show). If Runaway can keep up this momentum, with every episode bringing us new clues to the conspiracy, they should be set. The only problem would be if they dragged this out too long, and we get to the point where it’s the fourth season and the dad is still no closer to figuring this whole thing out. If I had one suggestion to offer to the writers of this show, it would be to follow the example of Prison Break and change the format up every once and a while, maybe as often as once a year. We need to keep moving forward with this mystery.
I have a favor to ask of anyone out there who’s reading this: I just started watching this show and didn’t get a chance to see the second episode. Could somebody post a quick synopsis of what happened so that I’m ready to go for the third episode this Sunday? Much appreciated.
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Oct 12, 2006 10:22 PM
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I have watched runaway since the first episode,but not sure where it was monday night.Did they change the day or time?I wasn't sure about the whole fugitive story line,but gave it a chance because Prison Break sucked me in and it was pretty much was the same concept,kind of.So i'll try to remember what happen on second episode:
Paul got an email from someone telling him to meet him in Chicago,when he got there found the man but it was to late someone had already stabed him.So he was not able to find out anything,
The son Jason tried to buy alcohol for his sister and got arrested,but somehow dad was able to get the kids fingerprints back from the police station.Jason tried to buy the alcohol for his sister,whos still trying to fit in and be the popular one.The littlest one,mikie? had an asthma attack at school because he couldn't remember who he was suppose to be.He was rushed to the hospital,where mom found a new job!
Hope that helps,tried to remember everything that was important
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Oct 12, 2006 11:05 PM
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Thanks for the synopsis. And you're correct: the CW moved "Runaway" to Sunday nights from now on. Thankfully though, you didn't miss an episode. This coming Sunday (October 15) is only the third one. Apparently the network flipped its Sunday and Monday schedules under the belief that comedies work better on Monday and dramas on Sunday.
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Oct 13, 2006 8:52 PM
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Well that isn't good news,I tape The Amazing Race and eveything that follows it on Sunday nights,and watch Sunday night football,so not sure that i'll be watching it,but will try cause I really like Runaway.To bad they don't put it on Fridays theres nothing on that night.
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Oct 14, 2006 5:24 PM
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Just finished watching the second episode, and I do really like this show. Hope it does okay on Sunday nights, but I have my doubts. When Amazing Race runs late, I'll have to tape this and try to catch Desperate Housewives online I guess. That might work for me since no one's watching football in my house, but for everyone else? I dunno.
Thankfully I'm not having New Kids flashbacks since I tried to ignore their presence on my radio at the time. However, I loved Wahlberg on Boomtown and he did good work on Band of Brothers too. As long as the older kids don't keep making such incredibly stupid mistakes each week, I want to stick with this show. The idea of the daughter reinventing herself is interesting, though you know it'll blow up in her face at some point.
The name of the town seemed familiar, and sure enough, there is a Bridgewater, Iowa. Within 30 miles of me. However, the reason I was only faintly aware of it is because it's got a population of less than 200. Why bother with a real name then? Oh well, I'm just relieved that so far there haven't been too many glaring sterotypes, other than the "Minnesoooota" accent of the way-too-cheery neighbor/nurse.
Hope the show survives!
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Oct 15, 2006 1:33 PM
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I really like this show. I can't help but think though that it would have been better paired with a series such as Everwood. I remember a lot of press on the reason for not renewing Everwood and I kept hearing that they didn't have a show to pair it with. Oh well. I hope this show does well despite its horrible time slot and move to the SUnday line-up.
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Oct 16, 2006 4:25 PM
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