Pilot Review: Enlightened

Enlightened (HBO)
Premiered October 10 at 9:30pm

It’s hard to break down HBO’s latest comedy effort. The pilot is definitely intriguing, but it’s near-impossible to tell just where it’s headed and what kind of tone exactly it’s going to have. There’s no denying, however, that Laura Dern commands this role, and she’s going to be the reason to watch this show if it proves intriguing in future weeks. What’s most glaring about this show, as I’ve noticed others also pointing out, is that it feels just like the other female-led dramatic comedies that Showtime produces, except for the fact that it’s on HBO. That doesn’t concern me too much considering the quirkiness of this show’s lead-in, “Bored to Death,” so I do think there’s hope for this one too. The opening scene was quite memorable, and there’s no matching Dern’s performance in it, though Charles Esten puts on a pretty formidable frightened face as Damon. Dern's real-life mother Diane Ladd is one monster mother, and I imagine that she’s going to be a constant source of stress for Amy. Luke Wilson’s Levi seems to have the opposite effect on her, proving to be too calming an influence. I’m intrigued to know more about her blissful time in Hawaii, but I’ll admit that what’s most enticing is to see how she’s going to behave back at her own workplace, especially considering her former assistant now has her job. I’m not yet sold on this show, but I can afford to devote at least another half hour of my Monday night to seeing just what this quirky little pilot will lead to in the near future.

How will it work as a series? It’s entirely unclear, but this show appears to be fiercely determined, through its lead character, to have its own voice, so I have confidence that it’s going to have no trouble establishing itself. It’s bound to be interesting, though it’s likely going to take a bit of time to get adjusted to and to fully appreciate all of the characters, a rite of passage through which most HBO shows have to go at the beginning.
How long will it last? Just as unclear. HBO tends to back their shows, and so I have a feeling that it’s going to end up with a second season, especially if something as lukewarm as “How to Make It in America” merits a renewal. We’ll have to see how it performs, but I think this show, like its lead, will have a bright and spunky future.

Pilot grade: B