In Case of Emergency

This is definitely a show that I never expected to watch. I've heard a lot of good things about it, but all the way from its premise to the people behind it, I just didn't think this was going to be for me. However, I'd be lying if I didn't say that all the good buzz kinda got me interested in seeing what it was all about. And while I'm definitely not going to review every single episode of the show, I'd be lying if I didn't say that the first episode was a big pile of fun with a lot of great mystery added.

First of all, I really expected this show to be a comedy, but it doesn't seem to be father away from one. Sure, there are funny scenes that play out like they would in a comedy, but the premise and the performance seem like they would fit more in with the dramatic spectrum. Which might be why I like the show as much as I do. It doesn't feel forced to make you laugh all the time, but does a great job actually landing the jokes when it comes to it. Kaley Cuoco gave good performances in "The Big Bang Theory," but this is definitely her star-maker. She comes across as very believable in this very vulnerable performance that pulls on all the strings and wants a lot from her. She manages to achieve great results with her work here, and I think this could be the door for new things to come for her. As pilot goes, this was a pretty good one. I was interested in the storyline throughout the entire episode, and I never felt like Cassie's constant paranoia became obnoxious. It all felt like a part in a bigger piece to be revealed later on. The writing is also very good. The lines are crisp, and the setting is fun and easy to explore. I would like more work on the dialogue, which does come across as very weird and far away from how normal people would talk. But that is honestly a little nitpick in something that worked for me.

"In Case of Emergency" is a good start to a show that seems like it could go anywhere. Cassie Bowden has been set up as a character I'd like to follow along with, and the premise seems like it could take her to interesting places, which I'll be happy to go to along with her.

It's a solid first episode, even if the overall tone somewhat escapes me. We don't see many comedy-thrillers, but this has that slant to it. Kaley Cuoco plays a hot mess well. I was reminded of The Hangover movies, albeit with a more sinister edge. I liked the 70's paranoia thriller type score and the glossy photography. I'll watch another.

Plot: since its based on an existing book is quite an assurance (well, most of the time) that it will be well developed. I liked the way it's exposed, piece after piece.

Actress & Acting: up to now I can practically talk only about the main character (Kaley Cuoco) since the others are not so much shown up. I know her from The Big Bang Theory and I thought she was perfect for that role. For a silly and funny role. And for this I was a little reluctant about seeing her doing a serious show. But then, after the beginning where I kept seeing Penny, I was captured, stunned about her expressiveness, about her skills and talent in acting. Well, she has a funny face, so sometimes she made me smile, but I think she is amazing. I hope she'll keep be like that.

Soundtrack: also good. I was focused mainly on the plot, so I can't tell you something specific. The fact that it does not bother me while watching it is a great start, right?

Conclusion: if you like thriller stuff and you want something quite light this is your show.

Kaley Cuoco's performance in this pilot episode is ASTONISHING. Raw, honest, f-d up and wonderfully human. She's seriously good in this.

The cinematography is gorgeous and using the "floating boxes" approach to showing multiple different aspects of the story (similar to the grossly underrated tv series "Burn Notice") definitely works.

The only negative here is the rest of the supporting cast is so blah. Fortunately Kaley carries all of them effortlessly.

Strong start laying good groundwork giving us the frame of the story and an outline of the characters and their relationships. The writing is fabulous, employing a difficult blend of tension and dark comedy to deliver all of this naturally without a hint of gratuitous exposition. Metaphor is well used to push this along, the forgotten first guy in bed foreshadows the second, the Crime and Punishment book and the out-of-body scene echoing Cassie's predicament.

The Flight Attendant is a vehicle to give Kaley Cuoco a chance to shed the shadow of TBBT and shine in her own right. Sure, she is a fun-time slightly dipsy blonde, but that is where the similarity ends. Cassie is portrayed with a range of believable emotions through gesture and expression. An impressive first episode, we now need to see how Ani fits in.