Ned, the piemaker, has an odd gift - he can make dead things, people included, come back to life simply by touching them. Of course, there is a catch (there’s always a catch). ABC’s new series, “Pushing Daisies,” is based upon this minor technicality and how Ned (Lee Pace) deals with it.
“Pushing Daisies” is the latest creation from Bryan Fuller whose credits include “Dead Like Me” and “Wonderfalls.” It is a somewhat dark comedic drama in which Ned and his maladjusted cohorts solve murders by bringing the victims back to life - for one minute.
Like the legendary King Midas and his golden touch, Ned must be very careful how he administers his magic touch. If he touches the recipient again - ever - they will die again, this time permanently. And if he does not touch them again within one minute, someone else nearby - randomly selected, apparently - will die. But the original once dead person must still avoid Ned’s repeated touch for eternity.
There are holes in this premise, but hey it’s TV, it’s certainly solid enough for the small screen.
With all the basic pieces of the plot in place, the fun can begin. Ned first brings his dog, Digby, back, but can never touch him again. Funny.
What if Ned were to bring his childhood sweetheart’s dead body back to life to solve her murder? What if he couldn’t bring himself to touch her again before her minute was up? According to the rules, someone must die. The sacrificial “random” lamb? A corrupt funeral home director - it couldn’t happen to a nicer guy.
But the zaniness doesn’t end there. Ned and his now very much adult, long lost, childhood sweetheart Charlotte ‘Chuck’ Charles (Anna Friel) fall in love all over again, but they cannot touch. Add to the mix the unrequited love of Olive Snook (Kristin Chenoweth), Ned’s neighbor and employee at his pie shop, The Pie Hole, and the possibilities are endless.
In the meantime Ned and his partner, Emerson Cod (Chi McBride), a private investigator who accidentally discovered Ned’s strange talent, and Chuck are the only persons who know of Ned’s odd gift. Of course, Chuck is a source of friction between Ned and Emerson. Of course.
Throughout the show, the familiar voice of narrator Jim Dale, in his trademark “Christmas Special” manner, fills in the details.
“Pushing Daisies” is amusing at times and frustrating at others as it takes a whimsical, if not entirely original look at death and redemption. The characters are offbeat and quirky, but then they almost have to be. The story line is simple and the plots only slightly less so. Although it might be a good way to kill an hour once a week, it probably hasn’t got the legs or the cuteness to carry it beyond more than a few episodes.
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3 comments:
I have seen 2 or 3 episodes of it, but while I like what I did see, it cannot keep me awake during the whole hour.
It seems as though the writers may've burnt themselves out putting everything in the pilot premise, n will depend upon alot more quirky weird plot twists to stay alive.
I didn't pay alot of attention while it was running in the BG of other projects going on, but do like the campy style mimmick with the constant narration like on "The Desparate Housewives."
I bet the writer's strike may knock it out anyhow-
I hope it goes on longer than that Michael. The plot sounds interesting. I will channel surf to see where it can be found on this end. Great description.
Enid
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