Pilot Review: Pan Am

Pan Am (ABC)
Premiered September 25 at 10pm

I’m delighted to report that this season’s second series set in the 1960s is a whole lot better than the first. Whereas the pilot of “The Playboy Club” tried to be edgy and push the envelope whenever possible with extensive drama, “Pan Am” plays it simple, taking things back to a time when everything was simpler and more pleasant. More than anything else, the sense of excitement and wonder that comes along with flying and working for an airline is perfectly conveyed, reminiscent of the wonderful “Catch Me If You Can.” It’s soapy to be sure, but it works since it doesn’t take itself too seriously, happy to be campy and a little over-the-top. The characters do come with plenty of baggage, and there are a whole lot of secrets being kept. Most intriguing is Kate’s side job assisting some authorities in tracking passengers and passing information, which also connects with Bridget’s mysterious disappearance and her role in the operation. I’m pleased to see Kelli Garner following up last year’s fleeting flop “My Generation” with her role as Kate, and Margot Robbie is fresh-faced and sympathetic as her sister Laura. The real standout here appears to be Karine Vanasse as Colette, whose role in this hour is sweet and then heartbreaking. Michael Mosley has finally found a suitable role in cocky copilot Ted, in which he’s much more believable – and likeable – than he was on the final season of “Scrubs.” Christina Ricci didn’t do all that much in the pilot, so we’ll see how big a part she actually ends up playing. This show is no “Mad Men,” but that’s not what it’s trying to be. It’s light, appealing entertainment, and in that arena, it succeeds marvelously.

How will it work as a series? The novelty of the setting may not last for long, and so this will likely be based more on character backgrounds than specific flights, which should be interesting given the range of personalities working for Pan Am, so I’d imagine there’s plenty of material to work from here which should prove quite engaging.
How long will it last? The ratings for the pilot were great, beating out both lead-in “Desperate Housewives” and main scripted competition “CSI: Miami.” Time will tell if this show holds on to its audience and stays fresh, but I think this could well be one of the season’s first big hits.

Pilot grade: B+