The Gates - Episode 1.01 - Pilot - Recap

I tend to steer clear of most prime-time, network television shows based on the fact that the plot lines, actors, and scripts often suffer under the overly competitive world of ratings and advertisement. However, as a struggling writer it's easy to lose foresight and miss out on amazing stories - however convoluted - when living with such lofty principles. As an avid horror fan I've decided to watch The Gates from the beginning in an attempt to quell my oversensitivity to the ever-morphing plot lines of prime time, network TV shows.

Please... Join me on my journey.



Enter The Gates: a picturesque community of the gated variety. Looking in, one sees happy families, soccer mom mini-vans, SUV's galore, doctors, lawyers, and hillside boxes made of ticky-tacky. Yes, at first glance I thought I was watching Weeds. But alas! No hot middle-aged pot dealers made an appearance in this pilot episode.

There were, however, hot, middle-aged vampires. Now we're getting somewhere.

Claire Radcliffe lures a fly into her web very early on in the episode. After a very trite suspense scene this poor fellow strolls right into the lion's den expecting to be nursed back to health and perhaps a little slap & tickle. He gets a little more than bargained for and thus the story arc of Claire's lack of control presents itself. She is able to go out in the sun light with the aide of a certain cream she applies to her skin. She exudes an air of a desperate housewife longing to live the life of a bloodsucker and loathing the life she currently lives. Thus creating a fairly strong character inner conflict that will hopefully pan out nicely as the series progresses.

Meanwhile Nick Monohan, A homocide cop from Chicago relocates his family to the scenic Gates community. A blemish from his past lingers unspoken in the air of dialogue between the members of the family. A set up that leads to much speculation and discussion in the entertainment world.

As the pilot unfolds we begin to sense that a large portion, perhaps the majority, of the town is aware of it's unique disposition. Monohan takes a righteous stand and begins to stir the pot while his subordinates suggest he lay off a bit. He does not listen. We find out that the previous chief of police might've had an inkling as to what was happening within the town, but it is only speculation at this point.

There are more than just vampires in this quiet town. The H.S. football team seems to harbor a pack of seemingly well-controlled lycanthropic beasts. There are witches who seem to serve their own odd ends and I predict some very interesting plot points revolving around Peg and Devon. They contrast each other quite nicely... Perhaps too nicely.

There are the typical H.S. romance issues one might attribute to a show of this stature. Monohan's son falls right in with the prettiest girl on the block who also happens to be the girlfriend of a werewolf. Insert supernatural drama here.

The show is promising to say the least and I will be here for subsequent episodes recapping and spewing more of my own opinionated drivel. You should be too.