What I'm Watching: Heartland (Series Premiere)

Heartland: Season 1, Episode 1 "Pilot" (F)

Well, if this is not the corniest thing I have seen in a while, I do not know what is. From the very first scene, the show is clearly poorly written and trying way too hard to be intense and thrilling. Two very unenthuasiastic leads do not help matters. Treat Williams, fresh off of "Everwood", stars as the seemingly bitter and tough-to-work-with doctor who is not nearly as threatening or miserable as he tries to seem. Kari Matchett (from "Invasion" last year and a recent recurring guest star on both "24" and "Studio 60") plays an organ donor consultant, who is always dismayed when she is unable to talk a grieving husband or wife into readily giving up their loved ones' organs for transplant. And wait, get this - they used to be married! The doctor and the consultant, who work in very close proximity, used to be married and even slip up in the first episode of the show and sleep together before realizing it can never work. This occurs only after THE most awkward plane ride ever, with the two leads and their respective new signficant others. Yeah, count me out, please.

Many a preview for TNT's next new "great drama" aired during this episode. "Saving Grace", starring Holly Hunter in what TNT is highly publicizing as her first TV role, looks to be interesting for sure but a bit too bizarre for my tastes. Not in a quirky way, but rather in a dark, sort of religious manner. But Holly Hunter sure does look excited when she is discussing it in the promos. Premieres July 18.