Cult

"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.

Though I did find some of the concepts brought up in the series to be disappointing half circles...I was nonetheless intrigued.

The idea that television can create obsessive fans who blur reality and fiction could have been taken many places, but it was not.

Reality is a perception, however as a group humans accept the paradigm that they've been told outlines the laws of the universe as material truth. Humans will be grounded to this planet until they are able to see the current paradigm as having merely guidelines based on the current perspective. The show could have easily gone there, but it only hinted at this.

I appreciated the story line between Jeff and Skye and enjoyed watching that evolve.

The toggles between reality and fiction where mostly unsuccessful as the reality scenes were many times as Cartoony as the fiction scenes.

All in all it was worth watching, I just wanted a few more completed circles, or fleshed out ideas.

Lawna

Unfortunately while writing those lines, the ratings of Cult are very low and it's more than possible that the show will be canceled. On the other side, i have to add that judging a quality of show based only by ratings is a big big mistake. But definitely it's a show which you will hate. Or love. CW definitely made a big turn, making such an interesting series in an era of too-many-series-too-many-kinds. CULT is something fresh, something totally different and i can assure you you will be more than surprised. To me the story runs on many different levels. Beside of the main story of a journalist who tries to find his brother while trying to figure out what the fuss is about, the show intrigues you and definitely teases your imagination about discovering and making hypothesis about the background of show. I hope we will stand a chance for a full season at least, if not a 2nd one. As for the techniques specs, if you want a blockbuster, you can always watch The Hobbit. Everything though is on the right place! Just dive in CULT's dark universe and enjoy!;)

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.

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.