Cult

This is a TV-series called CULT which is about a mysterious TV-series which is also called CULT. A recursive TV-series, how clever is that? Actually, the series a bit too clever for its own good. It is cleverness without a cause. The writer just want to flash his cleverness in the viewers face.

At first, the series self-reference is just awesome, and sends your mind spinning. Even if the blatant exposure of cleverness is ever so pretentious, I have to admit that the cleverness is indeed very, very clever, hence my rating. But the gimmick eventually wears of, leaving behind a very bland show.

I love X-FILES, KOLCHAK, TWIN PEAKS and DOCTOR WHO. These series delivers characters that I wants to spend my time with. But CULT, like the series LOST, don't have anyone that I care about. The entire cast could die, it wouldn't bother me; the reason I watch those shows is not because they are entertaining, but that they keep my curiosity alive: The promise of this awesome, sparkling revelation.

In other words, CULT and LOST is all about the destination, not the ride itself. It is a bit like religion, which also promises that you'll get you reward when it is all over.

I just did a Google search to find out how LOST ends; if the ride itself is bland, why not take a shortcut?

This show definitely gets you thinking. It switches between scenes of a TV program and "real" life. For some people that back and forth may make it difficult to follow, but if you pay attention, it's very intriguing. My elderly mother would not be able to follow this show. And if you're jumping up to grab snacks, or tuck in the kids, or answering the phone, etc. you probably won't be able to follow either. You need to pay attention to the show to "get it." Personally, I love it. And I'm extremely sorry that the CW has canceled it. With some of the garbage they have on, I am truly surprised they canceled is great show.

I never make reviews for show... But I just had to make a review for this show. I LOVE IT! My girlfriend and I watch it every Tuesday on CW and we just keep on wondering what will be on the next weekend. I sure hope it doesn't get cancelled before the 1st season is over... I want to see it all! Love it. 10 out of 10. Very mysterious. Robert Knepper is a great actor. Love him. So is Matthew Davis. As well as Jessica Lucas... The film just makes you wonder what is going to happen next. It's almost as if it sucks you right in just like it sucks the people in that are keeping up to the show.. Not only I give it a 10 out of 10. But my girlfriend gives it a 10 out of 10. I'm the one who told her about it. Now she wants to watch it just as bad as me each week. Keep the episodes coming... No need to cancel this pilot.

"Cult" started out with a very interesting, if not completely workable, premise: the blending of the "reality" of a TV show affecting the "reality" of the universe in which that show was being filmed and broadcast. There were even hints of the "reality" of the universe in which the show (also named "Cult") affecting our actual reality in which we were watching the show "Cult". A complex, mind-bending concept and quite interesting.

Unfortunately, somewhat like "The Event" or "Flash Forward", it suffers from a couple of problems that make it virtually impossible to shape a successful series from the concept.

Compare this show's structure to something like "Supernatural" or "Doctor Who". Both have a season long story arc, like many series, but are careful to keep the arc simple (such as stop the end of the world/universe by accomplishing these specific tasks) and then feeding in the accomplishment of those required actions throughout the season. The rest of the time they are able to focus on "monster of the week" or "one off" stories, which allows a viewer the luxury of missing an episode and not feeling completely lost when they return.

"The Event", "Flash Forward" and "Cult" have a single overriding mystery driving the entire concept, set in an environment that does not lend itself to smaller, "one off" mysteries within the overall concept. In the case of "Cult", it's a reporter trying to find his missing brother who somehow got involved in the cult of "Cult". He works on no other stories and is focused entirely on this one, very complex mystery. Which means that if you miss a single episode you are completely lost, emotionally if not merely for information.

And in order to pick up the thread once more, you have to go back to the missed episode to catch up. Sometimes you have to go back a number of episodes and review them to catch the clues that will explain a later part of the series.

And in the case of a generally humor deprived universe (as in "Cult"), with little in the way of sub-plot (as in "Cult"), where the entire focus is a relentless pursuit of the mystery, there's very little but the mystery to keep you interested.

And then it isn't entertainment, it's kind of like work.

So for every viewer who misses an episode, they may very likely decide it's just not worth it to go back, that there isn't enough in each individual show to draw them back in.

That isn't to criticize the quality of the work or the premise itself. It isn't to judge the production in any way. It's just that the story structure isn't suitable to a long running series.

But for some reason producers aren't quite getting that. This should have been a mini-series, not an open ended on-going series. With a fully developed thirteen episode story it might have been brilliant. But having to keep it open ended (so there's more story to shoot episodes of once you get done with all the ones you've planned already), there just isn't enough to hold an audience.

Perhaps that's why certain universes, (hospitals, police or detectives, legal, financial and so on) make for more successful long running TV series. They contain the logical limitless range of "one off" stories that are virtually self-contained and can keep the viewer interested.

"Cult", alas, does not.

At last a series that keeps you on your toes. The first episode was slightly confusing at first but once you start to understand the show within a show format then it grabs your attention. If you have seen Cronenberg's Videodrome you will get the premise. Some elements of the show also reminded me of some of the basic elements of Twin Peaks and Lost too. My only gripe is the production values are needing a bit more polish, but that can be ignored as the story keeps things moving along nicely. It's about time we had an American series that has fantasy,dark humour and thriller aspects within the same show. The show has some real potential too. I'll be watching to see where this show goes.