ABC Family's Chasing Life - Episode 1.01 "Pilot"
April, an aspiring journalist working at a Boston newspaper, receives life-changing news following a hospital visit.
Italia Ricci as April Carver is a unique and powerful leading character played by an actress who can simultaneous be strong, smart, confident, supportive, green and sympathetic. I can see the wheels turning as the writers are building up to the grand reveal that she has cancer but I don't especially mind. She has a personality that is both fun and distinct. I care about her which then makes the unfortunate diagnosis sting even more. Sure, it also reads like a lot of stuff happening in this precise moment in time in this young woman's life. But it's that chaotic energy that really helps Ricci's performance in this episode. Her uncertainty plays extremely well on the screen. And now, I want to see what's next in her life and how she will balance both work, the boy and the family.This pilot needed to be all about April. That was a necessity in order for us to care enough about her for that rug to be pulled out underneath us. And yet, the hour still finds time to introduce various plot threads for all of its supporting characters. Dominic just has to be charming and into April here. He doesn't really have a distinct personality for me to think he's the one that should be there for April on this journey. But he's pretty and a decent guy so I'm willing to go along with it. The two have a pleasant and playful banter.
And then, there is the family operatics - which is both good and bad. The show sets up this estranged separation between the main family and Uncle George - played by TV's Steven Weber. It's backstory that we're told about. It's largely just so George can utter the line about April's father not being the saint she remembers him as. And that, in turn, sets up the end of pilot twist that her dad has another daughter out there in the world. That moment felt so tonally off from the hour that preceded it. This is not a primetime soap. It's a serious young adult drama about a 20-something woman facing cancer. But then, it takes that turn for the melodramatic that likely will fuel a lot of the family drama moving forward - no matter how much I disliked it here. Another thing I didn't really like was the whole subplot with April's younger sister. Unlike Ricci, I didn't think that actress could hold her own individual story here. So while she gets that moment of being scared and desperate, I was largely left thinking "Why is the show asking me to care about her? The answer: To see how awesome and vital to this family April is.
Some more thoughts:
- "Pilot" was written by Susanna Fogel & Joni Lefkowitz and directed by Steve Miner.
- April's reaction to hearing she has cancer: "But I'm 24."
- April's best friend Beth has a very playful energy that's exciting. I'm not sure if she can handle the serious moments but she's a character I'm looking forward to seeing more of.
- Vondie Curtis-Hall is TV's latest stern black authority figure.
- Lastly, I really enjoyed April's mom trying to compose herself for her first date. For some reason though, the show felt the need to keep reminding us that she's a therapist.
