Don't Trust The Bitch In Apartment 23, S01E01
ABC came out with a new show about a girl named June who moves to New York, but all of her plans fall through and she ends up getting a new apartment with a girl named Chloe who is out to scam her. Although June's life seemed to go from bad to worse from the minute she agreed to move in with Chloe, she found out that she wasn't entirely a bitch after all. The premise of the show wasn't bad, but I certainly didn't find it as funny as it was trying to be. It was mostly bland and predictable.
Not sure if June's personality just takes some time getting used to, but I found her character to be incredibly superficial. She was so overly trusting and hopeful that she was practically begging for someone to take advantage of her. So when she fell right into Chloe's trap, you didn't feel very outraged or sad for her. She certainly is not a complete pushover since she did fight back once she realized that Chloe was playing her for a fool, but then she was just as easily convinced of Chloe's sob story about the ottoman. She felt so bad about it that she and Chloe went out to retrieve it from the person who then owned it. When June tried to convince them to give it back, after all else had failed, she spoke about Chloe's goodness as if there had been a moment to prove any of the crap she was saying. It just seemed so random and fake. If she was just talking out of her ass, that would have been fine, but I think her character actually believed what she was saying. I know she believed the part about Chloe possibly returning to burn down the house. I wish that part had been funny. It was the only thing I thought that made sense that she could say at that stage of her and Chloe's relationship.
Chloe's character seems to be trying to portray an evil girl who isn't as bad as she wants everyone to think. I don't think that the plot or the actress nailed that impression. Sure, she was doing annoying things like inviting strange men over to suggest she'd be having wild sex, ate June's yogurt while walking around completely nude, and barged into the bathroom while June was taking a bath. Still, all these things seemed so stale to me--they didn't shock me or convince me that Chloe was a demon. Maybe I have been watching too many other people who are more skilled in dishing up trouble for others and her attempts just couldn't compare. Even when she he pulled out the drugs from the ottoman, I saw it coming. Then when she tried to be June's friend and tell her about her cheating fiance, I didn't buy her "nice" side either. This was perhaps because she just hadn't nailed her "outer" personality, so I couldn't go along with her "inner" one. If Chloe is going to be the "bitch" that this title implies, she needs to pump it up. She's about as badass as Butters from South Park being Professor Chaos.
One thing I do sorta like about this show is Robin. I think she has potential to be a funny neighbor (unlike the pervert who looks into their window). I like how she both detests Chloe and at the same time seems to want her friendship. She definitely gives off the impression that she has been burned by Chloe in the past. I'd like them to keep her as a regular because June and Chloe (and James--ugh) just don't cut it if this is supposed to be a comedy.
I watch enough shows that aren't that good, so I doubt I'll watch this for more than one more episode if they can't establish the characters better or make more interesting situations. I didn't have any hopes for this show beyond what the title suggested, so I can't say that I was disappointed. It would have been nice to secure a new show to offset most of my shows going into summer hibernation, but I'm sure that I'll find something else if this one doesn't deliver.
No comments:
Post a Comment