Carter Stevens (Kathryn Prescott) is shocked with the discovery that her mother Lori (Milena Govich) is actually her abductor. Carter was born Lyndon Wilson to Elizabeth (Cynthia Watros) and David Wilson (Alexis Denisof). Her birth family includes fraternal twin Taylor (Anna Jacoby-Heron) and younger brother Grant (Zac Pullam). Max (Alex Saxon) is an old friend from her life with Lori who falls for Taylor.
This is a great concept. The idea is heart-breaking and full of potential. After the pilot, I was ready to give it an eight. This is why I wait for serial TV shows to end before doing a review. This show takes some crazy and horrible turns. First thing first, I thought Megan Prescott would play Kathryn's fraternal twin. I'm guessing Megan has quit acting. It's too bad because they were great in Skins. Her new TV family struck me as being wrong. Taylor looks so different from Carter. That basic problem leads the show down a rabbit hole of bad convoluted writing. After finding Carter, I would think it's standard procedure to do a DNA test. None of the writing about her origin makes any sense. So the overarching concept turns from a great original idea into a unmitigated mess.
As for the teen melodrama, I love Max. He is the only character worth rooting for. Taylor and him is the only compelling couple. Carter simply has horrible taste in boys. None of them are interesting. One can see the douche in them right from the start. It makes Carter look bad. It becomes a chore to care about her relationships. At first, I though the show was setting Max up as her longterm relationship. I'm fine with Max going with Taylor. That leaves Carter with an empty spot that is never filled.
