‘Murder in a Small Town’ Review: Fox’s Canadian Mystery Drama Is Almost as Forgettable as Its Title

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As a seasoned gamer of procedural dramas, hailing from the vast plains of Kansas where “Small Town” is not just a genre but a way of life, let me share my thoughts on Fox’s latest offering, “Murder in a Small Town”.

The title “Murder in a Small Town” appears both accurate and misleading at the same time. On the surface, it accurately describes the Fox procedural’s content as it involves a murder, likely multiple, though I can’t confirm beyond the first episode. Furthermore, the series does indeed unfold in a quaint village named Gibsons, situated on the west coast of Canada. However, its simplicity may also suggest an oversimplification of the complex narrative that lies ahead.

From another perspective, the title appears quite vague and uninformative, providing little to no unique context. It fails to differentiate this premise from similar shows like Hulu’s “Under the Bridge,” HBO’s “True Detective,” or Peacock’s “Poker Face,” all of which share a common theme of murders in small towns. This could be because, at least initially, the show itself seems uncertain about its identity.

The standout feature of the series “Murder in a Small Town”, penned by Ian Weir and inspired by L.R. Wright’s novels, lies primarily in its overall atmosphere – an ever-present drizzle that paints the hamlet in shades of gray and chilliness, yet maintains an unexpected softness that spares it from being overly harsh. A significant portion of the storyline unfolds around a developing romance, which at times exudes a comforting warmth reminiscent of Hallmark movies.

Karl Alberg, portrayed by Rossif Sutherland, has left the bustling city behind to settle in Gibsons, seeking a calmer and more tranquil existence. Meanwhile, Cassandra Lee, played by Kristin Kreuk, is a librarian who hasn’t had much luck with romance yet, but finds herself drawn to this enigmatic newcomer.

Following their initial encounter on the apps, the duo seemed to get along perfectly during a cozy lunch at a quaint café, a relaxed walk through verdant forests, an unexpected tea gathering with a neighbor, and it appeared as though they were sailing towards their own fairytale ending. However, Murder in a Small Town isn’t a romantic comedy; instead, it is a mystery. Consequently, the budding romance was eventually overshadowed by detective work when elderly resident Carlyle Burke (R.H. Thompson) was discovered deceased in his residence by George Wilcox (James Cromwell), a grumpy retiree who harbored affection for Cassandra.

Even though the title suggests an intriguing enigma, the on-screen portrayal often falls short of expectations. The hints, particularly the red herrings, are overemphasized to the extent that they border on absurdity; it’s hard to believe how much effort is put into making a man depositing small bills into an ATM seem shady. The conclusion, unfortunately, fails to offer any real twists and is predictable for both the characters and viewers, more a result of intuition than intelligent detective work. The reasoning behind the actions is not particularly compelling, as it relies heavily on a shallow character history that we barely get to explore before the character’s exit from the storyline.

Maybe the series attempts to compensate for its lackluster storyline by showcasing Karl’s detective abilities through quick camera movements and rapid focus shifts between important details, sometimes using reversed or inverted images for added impact. However, these techniques not only come off as more cheesy than described, but they also contradict the very character the show aims to highlight.

Karl is unlike the extraordinary genius characters such as Sherlock Holmes or Will Graham from Hannibal. Instead, his charm lies in being an ordinary man with exceptional observation skills. However, he may struggle to articulate these observations effectively: Even when he clearly explains to a less intelligent coworker (Aaron Douglas’ Sid) why he is certain that a particular item has been removed from the crime scene, I found it difficult to comprehend what he was referring to.

The initial episode of the series appears to have overlooked the potential for creating an immersive, intricate world. One might anticipate Gibsons as a place teeming with vibrant locals interconnected by complex histories and hidden past traumas, similar to other small-town murder mysteries. However, in reality, only Karl, Cassandra, and a few others like Phyllis (Fiona Vroom) or Yen (Mia Lowe from Yellowjackets) are fully fleshed out in the first 90-minute episode, leaving most other potential key characters with minimal development beyond their names.

At least, the two main characters aren’t exactly pleasing to learn about, but they’re bearable enough to observe. Sutherland portrays Karl in a reserved manner yet essentially good-hearted, with a subtle hint of melancholy that could entice someone (be it a character or a viewer) to seek out deeper meanings. Additionally, Cassandra appears well-suited for the role, embodying a girl-next-door persona whose innate cheerfulness is balanced by a realistic pragmatism.

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2024-09-24 17:55