‘Tis the season when all these wishes may come true... or not. There is always the possibility that your favorite program from last year may royally suck this year.
‘Pushing Daisies’ burst on to our screens last season in a cacophony of bubblegum colors, quick quips and enough sweetness to keep dentists 401ks healthy whatever happens on Wall Street. The story of Ned, a boy who literally has the touch of life, and his childhood sweetheart, Chuck, who he has pulled back from death, captured hearts throughout the country, including mine. The delicate dance between the lovers whose slightest touch would prove fatal is the anchor of the show. The relationship is flanked by Olive Snook, the ditsy ex jockey turned waitress who is also head over heels for Ned, and money hungry, pop-up book loving, knitting PI, Emerson Cod, who’s wacky murder cases, solved with the help of Ned’s unique gift, are the bread and butter of each episode. Throw in Chuck’s eccentric synchronized swimming aunts, oodles of secrets and a few show tunes all wrapped up in a Tim-Burton-on-a-sugar-rush-esk world and you have a show that should keep anyone entertained.
The second season kicked off on Wednesday with ‘Bzzzzzzzzz’. The murder of Kentucky Fitz, a sales girl for Betsy’s Bees beauty products, stung to death by a swarm sets the gang on a familiar trail of undercover sleuthing in order to apprehend the perpetrator and, always more importantly for Emerson, collect the reward. The theme of bees was an important connection to last season (Bees were a big part of Chucks sheltered life with her aunts before she died) but unfortunately for fans it was one of few.
The long narration at the beginning, presumably to allow new viewers to get caught up, was excruciating. In a show that uses language so cleverly, it was unfortunate that more subtlety couldn’t have been used. For an audience who clearly enjoys, and are more than capable of following, complex storylines in a vivid landscape the overlong introduction was awkward and bordered on patronizing.
There was also very little in the way of fallout from last year’s events. The last episode of that season featured a heart wrenching conversation between Ned and Chuck at her father’s graveside after it was revealed that Ned’s gift had caused his death. This incredibly touching and emotional scene was barely mentioned and it seemed that Ned and Chuck’s relationship had not been affected by the revelation.
As a result the character of Chuck seems diminished. Last season Anna Friel's character came across as feisty and plucky as well as a great dresser. Her ‘second life’, both figurative and literal, had given her the opportunity to prove her inner strength. At least in ‘Bzzzzzzzzz’ she seems to have lost that. Her undercover role at Betsy’s Bees turned her from investigator to bait, just waiting for Emerson and Ned to save her. In future episodes, I can only hope Chuck gets back to her old self.
Thankfully the rest of the show is. The fantastical production is even more luscious, the colors are just as rich and the 50’s inspired wardrobe is still to die for. Lee Pace as Ned once again proved his nomination in this year’s Emmys was well deserved. His awkward, childlike persona plays brilliantly against Chi McBride’s world weary Emerson and Kristin Chenoweth’s flirty, materialistic but good hearted Olive who all too often steals the scene with lines like “And when I say cabbage patch, I mean your lady parts” perfectly delivered.
It’s at times like that all the anticipation pays off. Your favorite show is back and on top form and you find yourself falling for it all over again. I, for one, can’t wait ‘til next week.
