The Pilot Script Review (1 of 2)

Warning, although mostly spoiler free this review does allude to previously released information.

Having been blindly following the development of Drive since it was announced in February based on the strength of Tim Minear’s previous work, I’ve finally been lucky enough to read the pilot script, written by Minear and Ben Queen, and it is as good as I'd hoped.

With sixteen characters and the mythology of the premise all needing to be established the script doesn’t waste anytime and by the end of the episode not only are we aware of the race and its rules and trappings, but each character is also given a moment to shine – quite often hinting at their secret or agenda while simultaneously showing their various quirks. This ranges from the pettiness of the two brothers, the bitchiness of Ellie (my favorite character so far) and the air of mystery that surrounds Corinna Wiles.

The greater strengths of the pilot, however, lie in how the audience’s expectations are toyed with as the episode goes along. Suburban housewife Wendy is revealed to be more than just the stereotypical homemaker breaking away in a Thelma and Louise manner, fickle teenager Violet becomes someone who shouldn’t be taken for granted and even the audience’s expectations of the race are shaken out of complacency in the final montage, which sets up what we can expect from the series in future episodes.

Other highlights of the script include Ceal, K Callan’s character, whose final scene of the episode amused me for reasons that will become clear – to spoil it would be to ruin it, as well as Alex Tully’s summation of the first leg of the race, which I also won’t spoil here but I think it’s safe to say it sets up the thematic premise of the series as well as the overall mindset of those in the race. Also, the script consciously makes light of the fact that the premise is similar to a fictionalized reality show and there’s even mention of blogging, which I’m choosing to believe is a direct reference to me. If it isn’t, don’t tell me. I’m choosing to remain in ignorance.

In all, the pilot script is a great introduction to a series that will hopefully break Tim Minear’s unlucky streak with Fox and will remain on the air long enough for us to see who wins the race (go Ellie) and hopefully beyond that. The potential is here for a funny, yet dark and dramatic series that will appease fans of Minear’s previous work and hopefully even the Fox execs who should put it on the schedule ASAP (January is such a better month than March).

For variety, a review of an earlier draft by Polter-Cow will be up in a few days.