I’ve been pleased with the some of the new dramas on television these days. Revenge (ABC) is one of my favorite shows, as it Scandal (ABC). I’ve been a fan of Covert Affairs (USA Network), as well as Burn Notice (USA Network).
If you know these shows, I’m sure you’ve noticed a pattern to their premises. All of them are about women who live life on the in the dark corners of government, or within the pinnacle of power, and must avenge those who would hurt their loved ones.
A new show premiered last night: Red Widow, on ABC (Sundays, 10pm). I’d been looking forward to it for quite some time. In the first place, I loved the concept: Marta Walraven ( Radha Mitchell) a normal mother of three happens to be married to the Russian mob, but doesn’t know until her husband is on the non-legitimate side of the family business until he’s gunned down in her driveway.
I also love the fact that it’s based in my old ‘hood: Sausalito, in Marin County, California, across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco. I enjoy catching glimpses of places I know so well.
I also love that it was directed by Mark Pellington, who also directed the pilot of a show based on my book Secret Lives of Husbands and Wives. We should be hearing soon when and where the show lands on NBC’s schedule. Fingers crossed!
To pay off the debt incurred by her brother and her husband’s best friend, Marta has to get in bed (not literally, at least, not yet) with the sexy, wealthy bad guy (Goran Visnjic) who was ripped off. At the same time, the Feds are watching her, and she’s got to keep the respect of her children, without implicating her family.
So, should she take her husband’s place, or run to the police with what she knows? And if the police want to use her to get to the bad guy, should she let them?
Moral ambiguity is complex. When we are at our wit’s end, we do things that are bad, things that we’ll regret.
But does the means justify the end? Is the only way out to go deeper in?
How far would you go to protect your life, and those of your children?
Here’s the trailer for the pilot, below.
Enjoy,
— Josie
Josie Brown is the author of these novels: The Housewife Assassin Novel Series, including The Housewife Assassin's Handbook (Book 1) [2011, Signal Press] The Housewife Assassin's Guide to Gracious Killing (Book 2) [2012, Signal Press] The Housewife Assassin's Killer Christmas Tips (Book 3) [2011, Signal Press] The Housewife Assassin's Relationship Survival Guide (Book 4) [2013, Signal Press] The Housewife Assassin's Vacation to Die For (Book 5) Totlandia (Novel Series), including Book 1 / Fall; Book 2 /Winter; Book 3 /Spring [2012, 2013, Coliloquy] The Baby Planner [2011, Simon & Schuster] Secret Lives of Husbands and Wives [2010, Simon & Schuster] Impossibly Tongue-Tied [2006, HarperCollins] True Hollywood Lies [2005, HarperCollins; 2010 Diversion Books] Her novel, Secret Lives of Husbands and Wives (Simon & Schuster), has been optioned by Jerry Bruckheimer for a dramatic television series.
Goran Visnjic?
THUD – faints dead away! 😀
Sadly don’t get these shows over the pond . . .yet!
I love him in EVERYTHING, too, Willa! Sometimes the shows make it into international syndication, so if it sticks around, you may be seeing it soon.
🙂 Josie
This looks soooo good. I caught this trailer about a week ago and meant to watch it. I’ll have to catch it On Demand.
Definitely, Kendra, it’s right up your alley! Can’t wait to hear what you think of it!
🙂 Josie
I didn’t get to watch this last night but I’ve got it on DVR.
LD, I’m like you! I DVR so much these days, because either I’m writing at night, and then reward myself with a show, or for some reason I’m out and about. Write back to let me know what you thought!
🙂 Josie
The premier moved slower then I thought it would, but I think they were setting up a lot of the story. So I will give it a few more episodes before I pass judgement. I am fairly sure I know who actually stole the drug already though; it was to obvious for me.
I agree about the speed, albeit a set-up was needed, what with the how and why her hubby died. I thought the end was interesting. She approached the problem of a dock worker as a woman would: not by bobbing heads, but by getting to the vulnerability of the person who she needed a favor (dock worker).
A new TV show!!! Argh!!! I added THE FOLLOWING this year only because it was a short season (13 episodes.) That made it workable. But I’m still behind on all my favorite shows (except Justified, Bones and NCIS — my very favorite!) so I might have to wait for this. Like, Netflix.
I know what you mean! I think I watch more TV now than when I was a teenager. But I “justify” (bad pun) it by saying that it’s for book research, LOL! (Yes, I love “Justified” too!)
xx Josie
That show does sound good. I hardly watch TV anymore, but I may have to revise my opinion!
Re your questions: I grew up with a stong sense that the end does not justify the means. For my family, though, I’d do just about anything.
I agree with you, LSUReader. In the end we always regret that we didn’t stay on the true path.
🙂 Josie
I missed RED WIDOW but it looks very intriguing. I need a new show to get addicted to.
I think you’d love it, Laura. It’s certainly an interesting premise, isn’t it?
🙂 Josie
Sounds interesting
I’m going to catch it on OnDemand and check it out. So looking forward to your Husbands and Wives too!!
Obviously, I have some catching up to do! I know they do TV here in Vegas, but I’m so busy doing….Vegas, that I’m never home to watch the shows. Gotta learn how to DVR…..these all sound amazing.
Nice, did not watch