Hellcats - season 1 (1 Viewer)

[mattCR]

Yes, the drive to find out how low the athletic department goes continues. The last two episodes have definitely brought the sexy factor

But mostly, I have to commend them on the pregnancy storyline.


I had figured that storyline would go way off the rails. And at times, it's too over dramatic. But I commend them for not having people go in a direction that would go way overboard. I found the responses and reactions reasonable by the characters they have. And that's a big exception to the rule.

 

[mattCR]

How many Cylons are there on this show? That having been said, I'm surprised how much I really enjoy this first season. It's breezy, and light... and the big issues are cooked on high - but yet, it still manages to "work" for me. Very enjoyable, and I found the team coming together at the end to "do the right thing" was effective.

 

[mattCR]

There is something to be said for positive, straightforward moral stories told well. I was surprised and caught a bit off guard with how straightforward and blunt the storytelling around the setup of the homeless man was.


But I have to say that I found it very heartwarming that the punches were straight to the point, and not what I expected. They didn't use any effort to drag it out or turn it into something else. The scene in at the football field was brilliant writing I thought. Knowing he was caught, he wanted to run. Just get away. He knew that the man deserved to get out of prison, but he was terrified of going in. This was a very realistic portrayal; it wasn't the valiant Tim Riggins "Do the Right Thing" moment. When he had to break down and express that he was terrified that doing the right thing would cost him everything, I thought: this good stuff.


I found the song at the end a bit much, but as a backdrop to some elements, I thought it was effective. When he walked into prison, and they pointed out that they tried to give him all the accessories possible, it'd be OK.. and then, the door clinks shut behind him and he cries. Fantastic stuff.

It's funny that a show that is about Cheerleaders, sexy outfits, etc. may be one of the most morally "wholesome" shows I've ever seen on TV. I can't remember shows where characters expressed outright terror at their future, and asked for someone to pray with them to help them figure it out.


I've said on this forum, I am not a religious person at all, but I grow tired of shows where religious people are portrayed as either weirdos or over the top zealots or hypocrits. In the same way I'm kind of sick of portrayals of atheists as some sort of hippy or science nerds. But I find it really refreshing when whatever faith or beliefs a character has, when they enter that moment it comes across as real, not just a simple facade for the show.

It's too bad Hellcats doesn't get the ratings it should, because it has had a fantastic, a really fantastic first season. And sorry, Glee.. but some of the musical numbers here are more fun then you've offered up; the Toga party was a lot of fun for a scene

 

[mattCR]

Really good storyline and some great songs mixed in. I was glad to see how the Dan situation worked out.

 

[mattCR]

Most under-rated show on TV.
Tonights episode brought the humor, but it also really played up the things I liked most about the show. Really, how many shows play up all the socially deep concepts while staying so light and keeping you involved without braining you? Dan's speech at the end, revolving why he enjoyed old fashion horror movies - including the rip at "Torture Porn" was a moment that reminds me of what I liked about that era of horror genre.
Really solid, lots of fun.. this show also makes as effective a use of song as any, and this year has been the show that really impresses me. I am hopeful for a renewal, but the box set of this season 1 is a must buy now.

 

[Patrick Sun]

Is Diedre going to end up being a half-sister to Marti? (with Aly's real life sister AJ Michalka playing Diedre).

 

[mattCR]

Originally Posted by Patrick Sun

Is Diedre going to end up being a half-sister to Marti? (with Aly's real life sister AJ Michalka playing Diedre).

I think we're going to find out that was her dad running that store and in the show they are half sisters... I have to admit, I -LOVE- the number she performed at the end, which I think is simple but effective. Thankfully, oh-78Violet (the band she and her sister are in in real life) put up the song on Youtube and at their website.

 

[Patrick Sun]

I wonder why they mirror-flipped the video uploaded to youtube?

 

[mattCR]

Originally Posted by Patrick Sun

I wonder why they mirror-flipped the video uploaded to youtube?

You know, I wondered that too.. it's an age old trick because most networks hunt for their call tag and brand the media as a copyright violation, so people will flip and post. But she's the start of the show and it's her official youtube account.. so I'm unsure of what the deal is...

 

[mattCR]

I have this terrible gut feeling all we are going to get of Hellcats is one season. It's too bad. If this show had the push behind it it deserves.. it's kind of funny that a show about cheerleaders on a network that rides the lines of "over the top sexy" has such "wholesome" Disney-esque storylines: crusading to free a wrongfully accused man; regrets over cheating; doing the right thing for your family; etc. etc. etc. I say this because while Glee still ratchets up huge ratings, it is far more risque, less rewarding, the with nowhere near the storyline or narrative Hellcats has..bah!

 

[mattCR]

Enjoyed last night's ep. The last few haven't been as strong as the first part of the season, but I still enjoy the cast. The father on the run from the law though *argh* damn the ratings, this show appears to be damned. Too bad

 

[WaveCrest]

It looks like the writing is on the wall for Hellcats, sadly. Since it's return after a few weeks without new episodes, the last three episodes' fast national ratings (source: Zap2it) haven't been very good. It returned with 1.15 million viewers, the next episode got 1.1 million viewers, and last Wednesday's episode got 1 million viewers. Life Unexpected was getting around 1.4 million viewers towards the end of it's second (and last) season, so it dosen't look good for Hellcats. It's been a good show, not spectacular, but good.

 

[WaveCrest]

Hellcats got 1.2 million viewers in the fast national ratings for the penultimate episode of it's first (and hopefully not last) season last night (source: Zap2it).

 

[Patrick Sun]

I am really bummed this show didn't get a 2nd season after that series finale. Ugh.

 

[WaveCrest]

Does the character Bill get his comeuppance? Episode 11 premiered last week and he seems to be becoming one of the major characters in the show.

 

[DaveF]

Watched the final two episodes this week. What a shame the show was canceled. So under-appreciated. And the setup for Season 2 was so compelling: loss of nationals, loss of their coach, and Alice becoming captain, and the bombshell that Marty's dad is alive (and Diedre knew it)! The only looming plot that was potentially wrongfooted was "The Fugitive" stylings of Savannah's dad's flight to "clear his name".


Even at Nationals, their was an emotionally complex story: Savannah skipping performance to be with her sister. I was immediately reminded of Parenthood, where Max (in the waiting room after Amber's accident) screaming out that it was pointless since none of them could do anything. WIth Savannah, her emotional support for her sister was real. Yet, I felt there was great long term value in being at the competition. To cheer was to win, which was to save her squad, to possibly regain and retain her scholarship, and ultimately graduate from college. All of which are short-term distractions, but very important long-term for her and her family (and even for her niece / nephew). I liked that it simply played out. She made her choice. It was clearly made, but not preachily justified with tedious moralizing.


I liked seeing Alice's stepmom reigning in her dad, and continuing to work some sense into his (formerly) one-track brain.


I was a bit disappointed into the Athletic Department head's egocentric (or possibly phallo-centric) choice to put his emotions above the school's and students' best interests. But it was set up for that. He disliked Red, and clearly liked surprising people with his unexpected political savvy.


The ex-wife. She was both sympathetic and dispicable.


Marty dating her former professor? I didn't like it. I thought he should know better. But filled with potential for tremendous heartbreak, scandal, and story developments.


I guess a show about cheerleaders that's actually well-written on the CW never stood a chance. I'll be thankful for the one season I got.