Slippage and traction, indie attraction

This episode of Reaper started and ended with some intrigue, but like this week's errant soul, the middle was mostly an amorphous blob greased up to distraction. With news that timeshifted ratings have given the show a The Office-like boost, it looks like the show has a chance to get picked up for the season, and as a result, I'm pleading for for an episode that has Satan's Scooby gang doing more then the formula of catching a soul each week.

With House back from it's baseball break, Reaper's next day ratings report today didn't look so good, but given it's timeshifted audience, I'm sure the TIVO/DVRs were in full force again last night. Those watching it today, take note of the two Battlestar Galactica guest appearances. First up was Cheif Galen Tyrol (Aaron Douglas) as the demon messenger delivering Sam's ginormous contract to sign. Then later, Andi's mom was played by Sergeant Hadrian (Jill Teed,) making me wonder if this might just be some desperate geek call to arms. I'm surprised we haven't gotten any Buffy vets to step in yet, given the creators' pedigree on the show.

Musically, the show pulled a couple indie punches, first with the use of Spoon's "The Underdog" to underscore just how out of his league Sam is with Andi. Then later, while the new Scoobies prepare to enter the sewers, Imperial Teen's "Shim Sham" plays, providing zero subtext, as much as I could tell. I'm pretty sure there was another song in there, but it's pretty obscure -- and for all the wrong reasons. All told, the choices this time felt more like an 18-49 demo ratings grabs than actual soundtracking.

The one glimmer of hope for the non-existent over-arching mystery was the bit where Sam's father tears a page out of his contract and burns it. Seems there's something in there he wants to protect his son from knowing. Does Mr. O and Satan have more of a past then we were first led to believe? Was there an Indecent Proposal involving Mrs. O with Sam the byproduct? Of course I'm grasping at straws here, but Lord (and the Devil too) knows the show needs something to justify this all going on and on (and on). At least next week we'll have Patton Oswalt to kick around.

Reaper Episode 1.05
1. "The Underdog" - Spoon - Andi reminds Sam about their karaoke night out
2. "Shim Sham" - Imperial Teen - The Scoobies prepare to enter the sewers

More: I can't go without calling out the great prank that Andi pulls on Ted -- leaving a note on his car apologizing for (not) hitting it. See for yourself:

Previously: Grizzly Discovery (Episode 1.03)

tags: music, television, soundtrack, reaper, spoon, imperial teen, indie rock