Debris: This Ain’t Trash

Debris from the remains of a destroyed alien space craft adrift in the cosmos hurtles to Earth.  Several months later, a joint team comprised of CIA operative Bryan Beneventi (Jonathan Tucker) and MI6 agent Finola Jones (Riann Steele) search, locate, identify and recover the remnants before they fall into the wrong hands.  Each piece of the debris, depending on where in the craft it came from, has different attributes and mysterious powers.

The two governments are working together, but also working for their own gain.  And the two agents also have their own reasons for taking on this mission.  Bryan sees the debris as dangerous, and is doing this to keep the world safe, while Finola sees the debris as wonderous and has hope that it will be the saving of humanity.   The debris also fetches a high price on the black market, which sometimes puts extreme powers into the hands of the wrong people, with often deadly results.

The show felt like a cross between the X-Files and Warehouse 13.  Government conspiracies while searching out and neutralizing items of immense power.  A male / female duo with one having a more rigid, “fight the bad guys” mentality, while the other has a softer hopeful personality, but each protective of the other.   It will be interesting to see how their relationship progresses.

The pilot feels episodic, but with an underlying arch that will run throughout.  The writing was rather good without falling into the trap that so many pilots fall into by trying to cram too much exposition and back story into the episode that the dialogue sounds staged and not genuine.  Instead, we are given hints of each characters back story, why they are there, what they see their purpose is, but without divulging too much detail.  This gives the audience enough to understand what is happening and who these people are, but leaving room to grow as the season progresses.

I liked the casting choices.  Jonathan Tucker does well as the world weary “soldier” a bit more jaded and fiercely protective, who finds he must open himself up more in this new position.  And Riann Steele plays the more hopeful character who sees the wonder and the good in this “new world” after life outside of Earth is discovered.  She exudes a certain softness and compassion but her empathy towards the people they are helping may get her into more trouble.  The chemistry between the two characters and actors isn’t quite as strong as I would like, but there is definitely something there, and I will enjoy seeing how it progresses and grows.  I also hope we see more of Scroobius Pip, who plays Anson Ash, the mysterious buyer of black-market items that seems to some how be related to Finola’s father.  He is dark yet charismatic, and although he isn’t in the episode a lot, I definitely want to know more about who he is and what are his intentions.

The story flowed well and it had a good cadence and rhythm.  Production value was also remarkably high.  The pieces of debris feel alien and yet realistic.  The powers are displayed using simple special effects, which lends to a more grounded feel to the show.

Overall, I really enjoyed the pilot.  I am not sure it will reach X-Files level of excitement, but it definitely has potential and depending on where they take it, could form a solid fan base.  I am worried that it  will run the course of so many other “Event” based shows where we get one great season which ends on a cliffhanger and then doesn’t get renewed leaving the audience forever in the dark.