Murder in a Small Town

I don't give any real consideration to the notion that "sleepy" when it comes to TV and movies means "boring". Yes there's a small town slow moving vibe to the pilot but what's wrong with that? American TV and films are often frenetic and loud. That also doesn't mean "exciting" or even good. I never pass up a slow moving film, it's gotta brew so the nuances rise to the top. I'm certainly happy to give this one some time. A nice blend of Canadian actors and a somewhat typical plot but I'm intrigued. The Sutherland progeny, well he has the perfect demeanor for this. I knew he was related just from the voice. If you like sleepy at its finest, check out the Jesse Stone films with Selleck. Those are the gold standard.

Murder in a Small Town piqued my interest due to Kristin Kreuk, and lo and behold, she is paired with another Sutherland lad. I love small-town settings, and a murder mystery makes for a great combination. The first episode started out nicely: there's a murder, and the next-door elderly neighbor seems to be the culprit, but how and why? I liked that they elaborated on the characters and gave them a good backstory. I also liked that the show doesn't feel like the usual flashy, slick murder-mystery theme. But what intrigued me the most is the chemistry of the two leads: two 40-somethings with past experiences and baggage, trying love for the second time. Kreuk's Cassandra is feisty and bubbly, while Sutherland's Karl is this two-shirt type of detective. Together, they turn this small-town mystery into a slow-burn romance that's worth every twist.

Review: Murder in a Small Town - A Missed Opportunity

I wanted Murder in a Small Town to be a great series. The premise had so much potential-a gripping murder mystery set in a quiet town where nothing ever happens, until it does. But after watching it, I couldn't help but feel that the writers missed a crucial opportunity to make this show truly engaging.

The biggest flaw? The pacing and believability of the murders. Instead of crafting a season-long, intricate mystery that keeps viewers hooked, the show opts for a new murder every other week. The result? A small town with an absurdly high crime rate that completely undermines the show's realism. How can we be invested in a "small-town murder mystery" when bodies are dropping at an unnatural rate? It starts feeling more like Murder, She Wrote on steroids rather than a compelling, believable drama.

What Murder in a Small Town should have done is build a single, well-developed murder case over the entire season. This would have allowed for deeper character development, better suspense, and a more immersive storytelling experience. Imagine the tension of slowly uncovering layers of a mystery, the red herrings, the twists, and the final shocking reveal-all building to something truly satisfying. Instead, we get a new case wrapped up every other episode, which makes it hard to care about any of them.

The show has potential, and it could be so much better. The writers need to step back and rethink their approach. A great mystery isn't just about the number of dead bodies-it's about making the audience care about solving the crime. Hopefully, they course-correct in the future, because there's a great show hidden somewhere in here.

Kristin Kreuk not only has a wishy washy character but she makes it worse with her feeble acting and overuse of her eyes widening or batting her eyelashes. Her character needs a rewrite and recast. Please keep Rossif Sutherland is an accomplished and skilled actor but give his character a bit more of a backbone when it comes to his love interest. On the other hand, Rossif Sutherland is a talented and accomplished actor, bringing skill and presence to his role. However, his character could use some adjustments to make him more assertive, particularly in his interactions with his love interest, allowing for a more balanced and compelling dynamic.

At first, I thought this was a tad too gentle with a PBS kind of flavor or a better produced Hallmark flair. But after completing the first episode I was hooked and began to appreciate the characters. It is a procedural crime drama but not overbearing, or tasteless. I find the stories hold my interest and the relationship pieces are developing. I really was unfamiliar with the work of Rossif Sutherland ( Karl) or Kristen Kreuk (Cassandra) but they have good chemistry. This is a Canadian production so I am getting introduced to some good Canadian actors. In my opinion this show is definitely a win for Fox.