As a lifelong aficionado of crime dramas, I’ve seen my fair share of procedurals that lean heavily on the “crime” and light on the “procedural.” But “Murder in a Small Town,” with its unique blend of intrigue, romance, and small-town charm, has managed to captivate me in a way few shows have. The chemistry between Kristin Kreuk’s Cassandra and Rossif Sutherland‘s Alberg is palpable, and it’s refreshing to see a crime show that doesn’t rely on a will-they/won’t-they dynamic to drive the narrative.
Warning: spoilers are ahead for Episode 2 of Murder in a Small Town, called “Fall From Grace.”
In the 2024 TV lineup, the show titled “Murder in a Small Town” kicked off with a special 90-minute debut, and its first episode, titled “Fall From Grace”, aired within the usual one-hour time slot on Fox. Despite initial doubts about it being just another crime procedural, this series starring Kristin Kreuk and Rossif Sutherland, didn’t follow the conventional will-they/won’t-they dynamic. However, after watching “Fall From Grace”, I must admit that my skepticism was unfounded as this show seems to be unlike any other series as promised!
Graduates from Gibsons high school flooded back to town for a reunion in “Fall From Grace,” welcoming students of all ages, including Cassandra (Kreuk). She had already agreed to attend, and convinced Alberg (Sutherland) to accompany her. However, the celebration took a dark turn when a man was killed following an affair revelation. Despite his job responsibilities interrupting their romantic evening, the case was eventually resolved, and Cassandra accepted Alberg’s apology.
What truly convinced me that Murder in a Small Town stands out from other crime genre shows is the engaging banter between Cassandra and Alberg, reminiscent of their high school reunion/prom date days. Unlike other series where the female lead is often just a love interest, Cassandra and Alberg are distinct characters with largely independent lives who have chosen to be together. This dynamic isn’t commonly seen on shows like NCIS or Law & Order. The episode (streaming with a Hulu subscription) doesn’t force Cassandra into the case of the week, but instead presents her as a character with depth and complexity.
Comparing Cassandra and Alberg’s behavior in regular episodes versus premiere events reminded me of my conversations with these two stars about various topics such as their characters being soul mates, why Sutherland initially hesitated to join the show. I recall asking them what makes Murder in a Small Town unique compared to other crime shows, and Kreuk replied:
The series you mentioned, as per your explanation, indeed revolves around crime investigations, with the protagonists being police officers. However, it’s not just about the crimes; rather, the focus lies on the intricate relationships between the characters. I portray a librarian who isn’t entangled in these crimes, yet there’s a palpable connection among the characters that gives the show its unique pulse. Furthermore, the town where the story unfolds is an integral part of the series, contributing to its overall narrative.
Over time, I’ve binge-watched numerous crime dramas and am looking forward to more this fall TV season. Initially, it seemed like the weekly crimes would inevitably lead Alberg to seek help from local librarian Cassandra for a crucial piece of information. However, the second episode clearly demonstrated that they can both independently carry their own storylines as joint leads. The actor from Smallville added:
Occasionally, crime dramas offer an engaging experience due to their intricate plots and the thrill of solving mysteries. However, our series not only delves into the complexities of a crime but also focuses on a heartfelt romance and a sincere love story between two characters in their 40s.
Crime dramas have consistently proven popular; the “Law & Order” series, for instance, has been around for nearly 35 years and includes seven distinct shows. This is just one example among many successful crime procedurals. Despite the long-standing anticipation among fans of “Law & Order: SVU” and “Organized Crime” that the main characters might finally get together since 1999, romantic relationships are usually not the primary focus in typical crime shows. However, this is different with “Murder in a Small Town”. Rossif Sutherland also discussed what makes the new Fox series unique:
In this kind of production, everyone on the team, including myself, needed to move to a new location. As they often say, crews become like families, but in our case, we were all living under one roof. We transformed this new place into our home, showed up for work every day with enthusiasm, and were eager to make this project come alive. It was an extraordinary experience that fostered many friendships. I believe much of the magic you see on screen actually happened when the cameras weren’t rolling, making it a truly special journey for many of us.
As a fan, I’m thrilled about “Murder in a Small Town” because it deviates from the usual city-based crime dramas we’re used to, like New York, LA, or D.C. The fact that this series is set in a serene small town certainly adds a unique twist. I must admit, I was a bit skeptical about how they’d maintain the intrigue with such a high crime rate in such an idyllic setting, but the latest episode has me hopeful.
Listen to Fox on Monday, October 8th, for the third episode of “Murder in a Small Town” as it shifts into its primetime slot of 9 PM ET. This season, it will air after “Accused,” which kicks off Season 2 at 8 PM ET on the same day, October 8th.
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2024-10-02 05:37