Just so everyone has a chance to catch it, the 2hr airing of the pilot and the first episode “Tarot” comes on again tonight on NBC, then on Tuesday night on NBCU’s Sleuth Channel, then Wednesday night on Syfy, and again Sunday morning on USA.
All of those airings are listed as a 2hr block, but on Syfy they are listed as two separate 1hr episodes.
Gazerbeamsays
I enjoyed it immensely and I’m looking forward to the next episode. (But then, I’m easily amused, so my opinion should be weighted accordingly 🙂 )
h82busays
Thanks all! Don’t know how I missed it but the DVR is already set for tonight. Hope it’s worth it 🙂
Ronald Ksays
The two hours were really two episodes tied together. Liked most of the first hour, though the ending fell off a cliff for me. Did not like over half of the second hour but the ending picked up for me.
Hope they keep up the theme of him adding more to his costume each week or so for a while, though I realize they can’t keep it up forever if the series lasts.
Tim Tsays
I know it’s supposed to be a live action comic book, but the plot had so many holes in it my 6 year old was asking “why did he do that?”
I felt like they made it up as they went along. Looked more like a web show then a network release.
Summer Glau has really matured as an actress, and pulled off a new character (for her) very well. I look forward to her eventually playing a villain; I think she could carry it well. I’m also think through the years she’s had some very good voice coaching. A big improvement from her appearance years ago in The Unit.
That said, I really want to like this series. The concept is OK, but everything else so far is underwhelming. The best thing I can say is that I like the midget. Sorry, little person.
The lead actor’s performance was mediocre at best, and even that only in comparison to the bad guy’s portrayal by an actor whose name I cannot be bothered to look up, but that I have not seen in anything I liked.
The bad guy (Chess !?!) suffered from clumsy attempts to build him up to the level of some sort of super villain. The efforts fell short.
And so did efforts to build up The Cape. Seemingly nearly anyone could get the better of him, and did for 99% of the time. I guess he’ll grow into the hero part.
The editing was also annoying, as was the timeline of events. In the second hour they spoke of a 2 or 3 days time line, during which The Cape got poisoned, saved, went out on his own, build himself a lair, worked with poison research to give himself immunity (no indication he had a chemical or immunology degree – he just read a book; apparently it was the right one), etc. etc. and then saved the day in the nick of time.
And as upset as he is, he totally ignores the friend that set him up to begin with (a plot for a future episode, no doubt).
Glau’s car was nice, although when she says she cannot afford to be discovered, I wanted to suggest a less conspicuous ride.
Ostensibly the star of the show, The Cape underwhelms as well. Note to writers. There is no way a cape, even one made of spider silk (stronger than Kevlar !!!) is going to slow down a man falling from a tall building. The poor bastard is going to hit hard, and a car’s steel roof is not going to cushion the impact.
I’ll keep watching for a while, but things better pick up fast, or at least they will have to give Glau much more screen time. I think she has the making to become one of the classiest actresses out of the current batch of Hollywood offerings.
One final thing (SPOILER) . . .
. . . The Cape spends one hour chasing Cain, then leaves him tied up for the other guy he’s been trying to get for the whole two hour pilot (Chess), who happens to control the private police in charge of the town, then smiles, and disappears in a puff of smoke leaving them both along in the kitchen of the restaurant.
WTF?
Like I said; I hope they get their act together, and quick.
P.S. Yo, Cape. If you are concerned for your family, don’t keep their picture on the wall of your lair. Sheesh.
. . . uh . . . that should read “. . . alone in the kitchen . . . ” not “along”
jskisays
I thought it was good . and though the badd ass little strongman was awesome
Tim Tsays
What about the card Cape gives over his future trainer?
Why did ARK give the new guy an all access pass when they planned on setting him up in the first place?
Once the circus guys started using the card to access bank vaults, wouldn’t the key entry trail lead back to Cape?
Daaaaaaaaaaah, we all know not to use our credit cards when we are on the lamb. That’s how they will trace us.
Why hasn’t Cape somehow warned his family about his expartner/best friend?
Chris From Polandsays
It’s scored by Bear McCreary with clear stylistic references to Shirley Walker’s music from “Batman: The Animated Series” from the ’90s. That’s enough to keep me watching. And Summer Glau is always a great asset.
I just looked at the poll results . . . 65% (so far) “loved it”, with another 17% thinking it “good”. I’m an engineer, so let’s see . . . carry the one . . . that would be 82% positive. 178.75 people out of 218 (at the time of this writing).
Well, not just positive, good and above.
I don’t want to judge the taste of other viewers, especially since some of the stuff I like is not exactly mainstream (Joe Versus the Volcano, one of my MFE movies), but it does give me some insight as to just out of touch I am with modern audiences.
Not a definitive insight, since most did not explain why they liked it, and I don’t know the breakdown of those people, so it could be mostly shy adolescent going ga-ga over seeing Ms. Glau in a miniskirt, and not really paying attention to what is going on between her screen time.
Then again it could once again confirm what I have known all my life . . . me and and the rest of humanity don’t exactly see eye-to-eye on a whole lot of stuff.
That said, I am open minded to reasoned arguments. Would some of the “loved it” people explain what they liked? I promise I won’t argue about those likes, as they are after all personal opinions. I just want to know what it is I am missing.
catarinsays
I did watch The Cape and I thought it was very well done. The first hour moved at a very good pace. Lots of things needed to be established. The second hour was a bit slower – as expected – and lent itself to developing the major players. I thought the casting was fantastic. A good mix of old and new and I liked the fact the casting included minorities and – don’t laugh – a midget other than Vern Troyer. There was plenty of action, laughs, cars, magic and that fat guy from BORAT even had a role and one of the best lines in the two-hour show
Ericsays
I can’t believe that so many people voted “loved it”. I thought that writing was awful and the acting was only so so. I’m not going to watch another one.
ninamansays
So far, I’m loving “The Cape.” It’s captivating story-wise and visually very exciting, the talent involved is excellent, and overall, it’s extremely entertaining and great fun! As a long-time fan of the brilliant James Frain, he’s the reason I initially tuned in, and now I am staying! I hope the network gives this show whatever time and opportunity it might need to fine-tune the fun and build its audience.
paulsays
I did watch The Cape and I thought it was very well done. The first hour moved at a very good pace. Lots of things needed to be established. The second hour was a bit slower – as expected – and lent itself to developing the major players. I thought the casting was fantastic. A good mix of old and new and I liked the fact the casting included minorities and – don’t laugh – a midget other than Vern Troyer. There was plenty of action, laughs, cars, magic and that fat guy from BORAT even had a role and one of the best lines in the two-hour show
jonathansays
I actually loved it. I am a big comic fan so maybe I am partial to it, but I liked it very much. I think the script was good and things were explained properly…
I like the guy and I like the fact that this is not targeting some retarded 15 years old audience…. which seems to be the primary concern to everybody else nowadays…
tensaibakasays
I didn’t love it, but I didn’t hate it either. Like some of you were saying on the preview thread, if you think of it as a campy series then it’s actually not bad to watch.
But I have to ask one thing, what happened to the leeches? They stick three leeches on his neck, then proceed to slap him silly, and suddenly the leeches disappear? I don’t think slapping is enough to remove leeches, and if you do manage to slap them off, IIRC the heads of the leeches become detached and remain in the blood stream….so could we see a future episode where he turns into a leech? 😛
fifisays
I liked it. Had a cool style, and an interesting premise (with the Tarot league of assassins, Chess, etc.). Sure the origin story isn’t exactly original, but it works.
I’m gonna give it a chance at least, see how things develop.
Locutussays
Not bad. Not great, but not bad. I’ll give it a few more episodes.
I would have preferred them taking the full two hours to make him “the cape”, rather then smashing it all into the first hour.
That made the whole thing feel very rushed.
But, I suppose show creators these days feel like they no longer have the freedom to slowly craft a show — they have to get right to the hook.
I hope they use Summer Glau a lot more. She’s the strongest part of the show.
terra novasays
I liked it. I like most Superhero movies but never really got into any TV shows. This one kept my attention and had me wanting more. He’s part Spiderman, part Batman. Batman in that he is a real man without superpowers, just equipment and training. Part Spiderman in that he’s broke, living in an abandoned basement without millions to spend on “all of those wonderful toys.” I don’t know if The Cape was a real comic series or not but never heard of it before…which means the director/writers can be more creative without having to worry so much about the “purists.
I did not go into this expecting high brow sci-fi entertainment. I went into expecting a fun show that is not going to take itself too seriously (*cough* Heroes *cough*). And I got exactly what I was looking for. It’s amazing what expectations can do.
don fredsays
Summer Glau is back on TV…. sorry, I guess I missed the rest. What did you say?
Seriously, i’m a big fan of Summer but i don’t see her only from a “fanboy’s pinup” point of vue; that would be too reductive, considering how amazing she is as an actress.
If you want more news about Summer Glau and The Cape and discuss about it , you can visit Summer Glau Wiki, the wiki of awesomeness.
Gregsays
This has such a great potential to go many seasons. This is assuming that the writers actually know where the story is and will end-up. Poor writing has killed so many great shows lately. Really Writers’, where are your heads?!?!
h82bu says
It’s not on until tonight (Monday) here in New England. Who aired it already?
Michael Hickerson says
NBC aired a two-hour preview last night.
Calysta Rose says
@h82bu it was aired on NBC at 9/8c Sunday night 2 hour premier
Summer Brooks says
Just so everyone has a chance to catch it, the 2hr airing of the pilot and the first episode “Tarot” comes on again tonight on NBC, then on Tuesday night on NBCU’s Sleuth Channel, then Wednesday night on Syfy, and again Sunday morning on USA.
All of those airings are listed as a 2hr block, but on Syfy they are listed as two separate 1hr episodes.
Gazerbeam says
I enjoyed it immensely and I’m looking forward to the next episode. (But then, I’m easily amused, so my opinion should be weighted accordingly 🙂 )
h82bu says
Thanks all! Don’t know how I missed it but the DVR is already set for tonight. Hope it’s worth it 🙂
Ronald K says
The two hours were really two episodes tied together. Liked most of the first hour, though the ending fell off a cliff for me. Did not like over half of the second hour but the ending picked up for me.
Hope they keep up the theme of him adding more to his costume each week or so for a while, though I realize they can’t keep it up forever if the series lasts.
Tim T says
I know it’s supposed to be a live action comic book, but the plot had so many holes in it my 6 year old was asking “why did he do that?”
I felt like they made it up as they went along. Looked more like a web show then a network release.
Sam says
missed it.
ejdalise says
Minor spoilers.
Summer Glau has really matured as an actress, and pulled off a new character (for her) very well. I look forward to her eventually playing a villain; I think she could carry it well. I’m also think through the years she’s had some very good voice coaching. A big improvement from her appearance years ago in The Unit.
That said, I really want to like this series. The concept is OK, but everything else so far is underwhelming. The best thing I can say is that I like the midget. Sorry, little person.
The lead actor’s performance was mediocre at best, and even that only in comparison to the bad guy’s portrayal by an actor whose name I cannot be bothered to look up, but that I have not seen in anything I liked.
The bad guy (Chess !?!) suffered from clumsy attempts to build him up to the level of some sort of super villain. The efforts fell short.
And so did efforts to build up The Cape. Seemingly nearly anyone could get the better of him, and did for 99% of the time. I guess he’ll grow into the hero part.
The editing was also annoying, as was the timeline of events. In the second hour they spoke of a 2 or 3 days time line, during which The Cape got poisoned, saved, went out on his own, build himself a lair, worked with poison research to give himself immunity (no indication he had a chemical or immunology degree – he just read a book; apparently it was the right one), etc. etc. and then saved the day in the nick of time.
And as upset as he is, he totally ignores the friend that set him up to begin with (a plot for a future episode, no doubt).
Glau’s car was nice, although when she says she cannot afford to be discovered, I wanted to suggest a less conspicuous ride.
Ostensibly the star of the show, The Cape underwhelms as well. Note to writers. There is no way a cape, even one made of spider silk (stronger than Kevlar !!!) is going to slow down a man falling from a tall building. The poor bastard is going to hit hard, and a car’s steel roof is not going to cushion the impact.
I’ll keep watching for a while, but things better pick up fast, or at least they will have to give Glau much more screen time. I think she has the making to become one of the classiest actresses out of the current batch of Hollywood offerings.
One final thing (SPOILER) . . .
. . . The Cape spends one hour chasing Cain, then leaves him tied up for the other guy he’s been trying to get for the whole two hour pilot (Chess), who happens to control the private police in charge of the town, then smiles, and disappears in a puff of smoke leaving them both along in the kitchen of the restaurant.
WTF?
Like I said; I hope they get their act together, and quick.
P.S. Yo, Cape. If you are concerned for your family, don’t keep their picture on the wall of your lair. Sheesh.
ejdalise says
. . . uh . . . that should read “. . . alone in the kitchen . . . ” not “along”
jski says
I thought it was good . and though the badd ass little strongman was awesome
Tim T says
What about the card Cape gives over his future trainer?
Why did ARK give the new guy an all access pass when they planned on setting him up in the first place?
Once the circus guys started using the card to access bank vaults, wouldn’t the key entry trail lead back to Cape?
Daaaaaaaaaaah, we all know not to use our credit cards when we are on the lamb. That’s how they will trace us.
Why hasn’t Cape somehow warned his family about his expartner/best friend?
Chris From Poland says
It’s scored by Bear McCreary with clear stylistic references to Shirley Walker’s music from “Batman: The Animated Series” from the ’90s. That’s enough to keep me watching. And Summer Glau is always a great asset.
ejdalise says
You saw her asset?!?
hmmm . . . I already deleted the recording, but I don’t remember seeing assets of any kind.
ejdalise says
I just looked at the poll results . . . 65% (so far) “loved it”, with another 17% thinking it “good”. I’m an engineer, so let’s see . . . carry the one . . . that would be 82% positive. 178.75 people out of 218 (at the time of this writing).
Well, not just positive, good and above.
I don’t want to judge the taste of other viewers, especially since some of the stuff I like is not exactly mainstream (Joe Versus the Volcano, one of my MFE movies), but it does give me some insight as to just out of touch I am with modern audiences.
Not a definitive insight, since most did not explain why they liked it, and I don’t know the breakdown of those people, so it could be mostly shy adolescent going ga-ga over seeing Ms. Glau in a miniskirt, and not really paying attention to what is going on between her screen time.
Then again it could once again confirm what I have known all my life . . . me and and the rest of humanity don’t exactly see eye-to-eye on a whole lot of stuff.
That said, I am open minded to reasoned arguments. Would some of the “loved it” people explain what they liked? I promise I won’t argue about those likes, as they are after all personal opinions. I just want to know what it is I am missing.
catarin says
I did watch The Cape and I thought it was very well done. The first hour moved at a very good pace. Lots of things needed to be established. The second hour was a bit slower – as expected – and lent itself to developing the major players. I thought the casting was fantastic. A good mix of old and new and I liked the fact the casting included minorities and – don’t laugh – a midget other than Vern Troyer. There was plenty of action, laughs, cars, magic and that fat guy from BORAT even had a role and one of the best lines in the two-hour show
Eric says
I can’t believe that so many people voted “loved it”. I thought that writing was awful and the acting was only so so. I’m not going to watch another one.
ninaman says
So far, I’m loving “The Cape.” It’s captivating story-wise and visually very exciting, the talent involved is excellent, and overall, it’s extremely entertaining and great fun! As a long-time fan of the brilliant James Frain, he’s the reason I initially tuned in, and now I am staying! I hope the network gives this show whatever time and opportunity it might need to fine-tune the fun and build its audience.
paul says
I did watch The Cape and I thought it was very well done. The first hour moved at a very good pace. Lots of things needed to be established. The second hour was a bit slower – as expected – and lent itself to developing the major players. I thought the casting was fantastic. A good mix of old and new and I liked the fact the casting included minorities and – don’t laugh – a midget other than Vern Troyer. There was plenty of action, laughs, cars, magic and that fat guy from BORAT even had a role and one of the best lines in the two-hour show
jonathan says
I actually loved it. I am a big comic fan so maybe I am partial to it, but I liked it very much. I think the script was good and things were explained properly…
I like the guy and I like the fact that this is not targeting some retarded 15 years old audience…. which seems to be the primary concern to everybody else nowadays…
tensaibaka says
I didn’t love it, but I didn’t hate it either. Like some of you were saying on the preview thread, if you think of it as a campy series then it’s actually not bad to watch.
But I have to ask one thing, what happened to the leeches? They stick three leeches on his neck, then proceed to slap him silly, and suddenly the leeches disappear? I don’t think slapping is enough to remove leeches, and if you do manage to slap them off, IIRC the heads of the leeches become detached and remain in the blood stream….so could we see a future episode where he turns into a leech? 😛
fifi says
I liked it. Had a cool style, and an interesting premise (with the Tarot league of assassins, Chess, etc.). Sure the origin story isn’t exactly original, but it works.
I’m gonna give it a chance at least, see how things develop.
Locutus says
Not bad. Not great, but not bad. I’ll give it a few more episodes.
I would have preferred them taking the full two hours to make him “the cape”, rather then smashing it all into the first hour.
That made the whole thing feel very rushed.
But, I suppose show creators these days feel like they no longer have the freedom to slowly craft a show — they have to get right to the hook.
I hope they use Summer Glau a lot more. She’s the strongest part of the show.
terra nova says
I liked it. I like most Superhero movies but never really got into any TV shows. This one kept my attention and had me wanting more. He’s part Spiderman, part Batman. Batman in that he is a real man without superpowers, just equipment and training. Part Spiderman in that he’s broke, living in an abandoned basement without millions to spend on “all of those wonderful toys.” I don’t know if The Cape was a real comic series or not but never heard of it before…which means the director/writers can be more creative without having to worry so much about the “purists.
WonderJenn says
I did not go into this expecting high brow sci-fi entertainment. I went into expecting a fun show that is not going to take itself too seriously (*cough* Heroes *cough*). And I got exactly what I was looking for. It’s amazing what expectations can do.
don fred says
Summer Glau is back on TV…. sorry, I guess I missed the rest. What did you say?
Seriously, i’m a big fan of Summer but i don’t see her only from a “fanboy’s pinup” point of vue; that would be too reductive, considering how amazing she is as an actress.
If you want more news about Summer Glau and The Cape and discuss about it , you can visit Summer Glau Wiki, the wiki of awesomeness.
Greg says
This has such a great potential to go many seasons. This is assuming that the writers actually know where the story is and will end-up. Poor writing has killed so many great shows lately. Really Writers’, where are your heads?!?!