In the wake of many popular television shows coming to an end, whether it be the series finale of "Friends" or "Frasier" or the cancellation of such beloved shows as "Angel" and "Miracles", USA ventures to redefine the crime genre with the remake of a British series of the same name, "Touching Evil".
Starring Jeffrey Donovan and Vera Farmiga, the show starts off unlike any other crime drama before with its surrealistic pan angles, colors and especially creepy background music composed by the Ross brothers (Error and 12 Rounds) and Claudia Sarne. Donovan's character Detective David Creegan is just returning to duty after a three-year long medical leave after surviving a gunshot wound to the head. He is no longer the same man, husband, father or cop as he used to be.
"Touching Evil" is so rich in character development that it is impossible not to become attached to one or more characters on the show. The smallest bits of interacting between characters serves as a device to explore different aspects of the characters that you normally would have seen otherwise. For example, in the episode "Grief", Chief Hank Enright is speaking with Jay Swopes on the telephone and proceeds to spell a person's name. Swopes responds, saying that normally it's I before E, whereas the name is spelled with E before I. It's such a minor and unrelated detail plot wise that makes for the impact. Such character details helps to make these people real, people we can relate to and grow to love. Even the snarky Bernal, who is always out to slander Creegan any chance he gets, grows personally to the point where we have to like him, if just a little bit. In short, the characters on this show are dynamic, every one.
If you haven't seen this show, you're really missing out. I expect at least one Emmy nomination for the outstanding lead roles by Jeffrey Donovan and Vera Farmiga--they both did such a terrific job and they deserve to be recognized for their hard work. "Touching Evil" fans are anxiously awaiting news of renewal for a second season. So far, I am placing much more faith in cable networks than I dare to with broadcast networks. I only hope that USA will continue to come through for us "Touching Evil" fans. USA, don't let us down!
