Das Geheimnis von Pasadena

I have just finished watching Pasadena and I definitely want more. The haunting narrative and creepy atmosphere keep you on the edge of your seat. The story begins with a teenager recalling the events that will lead up to her rich family's demise. As the story slowly unfolds and you see the main character, Lily, coming to terms with the fact her family is not what it appears, one is left wondering what could possibly be in store for Lily next. I am curious how the writers will give us enough information to sustain our interest, but keep enough mystery to have us wondering what is to come. If the first episode gives us any indication as to what's to come then the series will continue to be solid and intense. I for one will be setting up my VCR to catch the next episode and I would recommend you do the same.

This actually feels MUCH older than its 20 years: the 'Falcon Crest'-like acting, music and camerawork almost seem an extra twenty or thirty years older, and if someone had told me going in it was a Twin Peaks-like parody of 80s soap operas, I probably would have believed it for awhile, but there's nothing of any interest going on there underneath the stagey melodrama; no commentary upon the genre or an examination of the deeper motives of the cardboard characters. When you think 'The Sopranos' was on TV at the same time as this was being made, it's hard to excuse the underachieving.

As a simple, trashy soap opera, it's certainly not the worst, given the competition, but coming from the writer of Enlightenment and The White Lotus, it's a great disappointment.

The Greeleys are a powerful Californian family. They own newspapers and politicians. George Greeley is the patriarch. His daughter Catherine is married to Will McAllister with teenage daughter Lily. One night, Lily is home alone when she's confronted by crazed Philip Parker. He commits suicide. Lily investigates and discovers the dark secret inside her family.

I don't know if I saw this back in 2001. After 9/11, I remember the start of Smallville, non-stop new reports, and late night serious comedians. One did get overwhelmed with the disturbing reality of the world and retreat back to fantasies. A darker fare like this could have faced a greater hurdle. This certainly deserved a better fate. Dana Delany is brilliant. I do get frustrated with Lily's childlike cluelessness. It's predictable that the bones would go missing. It's odd she thinks that Henry had run away. Also Henry's conflict with Tom seems to come out of nowhere. There are a few plot turns that come too fast and furious. They need set up or maybe not exist at all. Mike White puts his comedic touches which doesn't always fit the dark murderous plot. It's fine to have the comedic flourishes from the lighter characters like Jennie and Mason. It's more problematic for the others to flirt with comedy. The tone needs some calibrating. Overall, this is an engaging soapy mystery drama. The twisting plot does move very quickly which leaves me questioning how far the show could go anyways. It got canceled after four episodes.

I am a huge fan of prime time soaps especially 90210, Melrose Place, and Titans. Pasadena is deffinetly an awesome addition but its different than the rest. I deffinetly did not expect to be drawn into a murder mystery. Pasadena is stuck in an awful time slot and ratings for the first 2 episodes sucked so it needs to start picking up viewers if there is any hope for it to stick around. Deffinetly give it a shot, you'll love it!!!!!

When I heard that this show was going to be made I was excited. I always wanted to see a show about my home. Then I was shocked and disturbed to find that this show was shot in Vancouver B.C. There is just a little contrast in the type of place that the real pasadena is and the Canadian one. What a let down. I wish that the producers of this one would have had a little more insight and not felt the need to insult people this way. I refuse to watch this show or comment on its other values in any way. Just know that the producers think that people are stupid and won't notice the difference.