5 Reasons Why You Should Watch Reaper by Nadya Vlassoff
In every television season there are several shows that go by undetected, flying under the radar while building a loyal fan base along the way. Shows like Jericho, Freaks and Geeks and Arrested Development in recent years have all been critically acclaimed shows that prided themselves on good story-telling and character development rather than on getting the quick laugh over something foul and dirty. 2007 saw the emergence of shows like Pushing Daisies and Eli Stone, both of which were well written, especially in the case of Pushing Daisies that was brilliantly shot with a newfound sense of cinematography that had not been seen before. The CW, trying to also vie for a new hit to fill its evening line-up, bought a 13-episode block for a show called Reaper.
Reaper was a bold step for a new network that had recently been combined from both the WB and UPN. The majority of its line-up was devoid of edgier shows, although its staples like America’s Next Top Model was still pulling in solid ratings and was a fan favorite along with teen drama One Tree Hill. Long-running shows like Reba and What I Like About You had ended after 6 and 4 year runs respectively, as well as Gilmore Girls, which had led its fans on a comedic but intriguing run of highs and lows of the lives of Lorelie Gilmore, played by Lauren Graham and her daughter Rory played by Alexis Bledel.
The CW, now working to compensate for the loss of comedic television, decided to bring a new angle to a tiring genre. Reaper, a show about Sam Oliver whose parents sold his soul to the devil when he was an infant and on his 21st birthday is forced to become the devil’s bounty hunter, was a different show for the CW to take a chance on but it was a welcome one. Sam, played by Bret Harrison, and the devil, played by an extremely tan Ray Wise, along with Sam’s two best friends, Bert “Sock” Wysocki and Ben Gonzalez, embodied by Taylor Labine and Rick Gonzalez, and Missy Peregrym as Andi, all become involved in Sam’s new, unwelcome profession - capturing escaped souls from Hell.
It might sound a little unorthodox but after watching just one episode it's easy to get hooked. From Ray Wise’s dry humor to Sam’s constant battle to do the right thing, Reaper is definitely hitting all the right notes.
Here are 5 reasons why we think you should be watching it too.
Tyler Labine
A Canadian who has spent plenty of time in front of the camera, Tyler Labine has redefined the term sidekick, as his character, Sock, helps Sam through the trials and tribulations of life and love. But most importantly, Sock is the comedic relief of any scene he's featured in. While Sam has two trusted companions, Sock and Ben, both who work with him at the home hardware store, the Work Bench, it's Sock who takes a direct approach.
He's fascinated by Sam’s new calling and relishes the fact that they get to send escaped souls back to hell. However, he is not only a daredevil but a good friend to Sam aside from being a horrible employee who uses any excuse to not work. Armed with quick wit and a lovable presence, Sock is a hilarious version of Don Quixote’s sidekick Sancho Panza mixed with Batman’s Robin.
A Witty and Dramatic Recipe
Unlike other series' that are either just dramatic or comedic for the sake of either one, Reaper manages to mix both effectively. The storylines deal with Sam’s unorthodox occupation of being an employee of the Devil but wit and perfectly timed comedic interludes are sprinkled within the show so cleverly that it seems almost natural. The dynamic between Sam, Sock, and Ben meshes three different personalities, but in the end the three friends are able to overcome their fears for the thrill and for fun. Add the punch of Ray Wise as the Devil and you have a perfect recipe for chaos and laughs.
While Sam is constantly trying to prove that he's not really his devil father’s son, his attempts to be normal are hilariously interrupted by Wise’s meddling in his son’s affairs, both personal and work related. Every time that Sam hopes his life has reached a manageable level, something inevitably throws a wrench into his plans as fans eagerly anticipate each new hurdle.
Buy More, Vessels, and Action
What do you get when you mix 3 best friends, a wise-cracking deviant, and the ability to move objects with your mind? The answer is simple - every escape that Sam and his friends go on when they have to try and recapture escaped souls. In each episode of Reaper they're given a vessel by the devil, and certainly not your expected tasers or Ak-47s. Instead the vessels are anything from dirt devils to a malfunctioning toaster.
Along with the confusing choices for vessels, each escaped soul also comes with a thirst for vengeance and supernatural powers. Luckily the three heroes work at the Work Bench, and the hardware store provides for some interesting albeit unconventional outfits that they use to lure and capture the souls. Explosions, swarms of insects, and lightening striking in the same place ... All in a day’s work for the tiresome trio.
The Element of Supernatural
Many shows have dealt and dabbled with the supernatural, from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, the current CW show aptly titled 'Supernatural,' and so on. How is Reaper supernaturally different? First, it takes a comedic spin on a usually dramatic genre. Also, Reaper follows a similar template that Buffy employed by mixing comedy with a darker element.
Sam is the devil’s bounty hunter, and while his job puts him in the line of fire, quite literally in some cases, he manages to capture his bounty yet his only prize is that he gets to live another day. Despite his life prize, Sam has also developed a special power that he so aptly names his “devil power” that allows him to control objects with some sort of telekinesis. Unfortunately for Sam, just like in the rest of the series, nothing works out the way he would hope and he's unable to control his newfound ability.
The Family Dynamic
Reaper has taken the idea of family to a completely new level. The first season of Reaper saw Sam struggle with his parents who sold his soul to the devil when he was a baby that forced him to become the devil’s bounty hunter after his 21st birthday. With a growing confidence in his own abilities, Sam also continues to battle his own inner demons in order to do the right thing and prove to the devil that goodness still exists.
An even bigger Reaper related bombshell is dropped at the end of the first season when we discover that Sam is actually the devil’s son, making the situation at home even more awkward. Try complaining to your friends about how evil your parents are after watching this show. With a new father and brother added to the mix, Sam is definitely in for some more surprises along the way.
With the Reaper fan base growing, there are many out there who agree that the CW series is deserving of all the praise it's receiving. The second season was slow to generate steam but it certainly feels like Reaper has its stride. From reformed demon friends and love interests to a much more complicated family secret for Sam, Reaper still has plenty of fun to be found in the devil's CW lair.
This article is great! You really hit the nail in the reasons why EVERYBODY should be watching this amazing show! Let's hope The CW realizes the great jewel they've got with this and give it a chance to really shine!
In every television season there are several shows that go by undetected, flying under the radar while building a loyal fan base along the way. Shows like Jericho, Freaks and Geeks and Arrested Development in recent years have all been critically acclaimed shows that prided themselves on good story-telling and character development rather than on getting the quick laugh over something foul and dirty. 2007 saw the emergence of shows like Pushing Daisies and Eli Stone, both of which were well written, especially in the case of Pushing Daisies that was brilliantly shot with a newfound sense of cinematography that had not been seen before. The CW, trying to also vie for a new hit to fill its evening line-up, bought a 13-episode block for a show called Reaper.
A Canadian who has spent plenty of time in front of the camera, Tyler Labine has redefined the term sidekick, as his character, Sock, helps Sam through the trials and tribulations of life and love. But most importantly, Sock is the comedic relief of any scene he's featured in. While Sam has two trusted companions, Sock and Ben, both who work with him at the home hardware store, the Work Bench, it's Sock who takes a direct approach.
Unlike other series' that are either just dramatic or comedic for the sake of either one, Reaper manages to mix both effectively. The storylines deal with Sam’s unorthodox occupation of being an employee of the Devil but wit and perfectly timed comedic interludes are sprinkled within the show so cleverly that it seems almost natural. The dynamic between Sam, Sock, and Ben meshes three different personalities, but in the end the three friends are able to overcome their fears for the thrill and for fun. Add the punch of Ray Wise as the Devil and you have a perfect recipe for chaos and laughs.
What do you get when you mix 3 best friends, a wise-cracking deviant, and the ability to move objects with your mind? The answer is simple - every escape that Sam and his friends go on when they have to try and recapture escaped souls. In each episode of Reaper they're given a vessel by the devil, and certainly not your expected tasers or Ak-47s. Instead the vessels are anything from dirt devils to a malfunctioning toaster.
Many shows have dealt and dabbled with the supernatural, from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, the current CW show aptly titled 'Supernatural,' and so on. How is Reaper supernaturally different? First, it takes a comedic spin on a usually dramatic genre. Also, Reaper follows a similar template that Buffy employed by mixing comedy with a darker element.
Reaper has taken the idea of family to a completely new level. The first season of Reaper saw Sam struggle with his parents who sold his soul to the devil when he was a baby that forced him to become the devil’s bounty hunter after his 21st birthday. With a growing confidence in his own abilities, Sam also continues to battle his own inner demons in order to do the right thing and prove to the devil that goodness still exists.