TV

Reaper

by Patrick Hildebrandt

Reaper
B
Thurs., 9pm. CW

The writers’ strike wasn’t particularly good for anybody, but it was least kind to this season’s new premieres, which were given even less chance than usual to make an impression. One prime case is the CW’s Reaper, a consistently acclaimed but ratings-challenged show that returns this week with new episodes. But without a confirmed renewal for next season, its future is still in doubt.

It’s a shame, because Reaper is a fairly clever take on the “my boss is the devil” complaint. For slacker Sam (Bret Harrison), though, his boss (Ray Wise) literally is the devil. Thanks to a deal his parents made before he was born, Sam’s soul became the devil’s property once he turned 21, forcing him to moonlight as Hell’s bounty hunter. Best friends Sock (Tyler Labine) and Ben (Rick Gonzalez) help him with the arduous task of tracking down and capturing escaped souls. But no one can help him manage his tortured, star-crossed relationship with the beautiful Andi (Missy Peregrym). And his new love interest Cady (Jessica Stroup) may be the spawn of Satan.

Reaper tries to play as both comedy and drama, and the result is an amiable if not altogether successful stew. The show is at its best when it goes dark and dramatic, and fortunately the soul-hunting assignments usually deliver. By contrast, the lighthearted scenes with the goofball antics of Sam’s friends usually fall a little flat.

The real revelation here—pun intended—is Wise as ol’ Beelzebub himself. This devil is no goat-legged pitchfork wielder; Wise plays him instead as a dapper, debonair ladies’ man. He brings a charming lethality to the role, so much that you can’t help but like him, even though he’s never up to any good—like treating Sam to dinner at a fancy restaurant and skipping out on the bill. Wise and Harrison play off each other effortlessly, and their scenes together are a highlight.

For all its flaws, Reaper is enjoyable enough that it deserves to stay on the air—hopefully without having to make a deal with the devil.