Courtesy of SPACE / Syfy
Elena (Laura Vandervoort) returns home again – this time to grieve after the events of last week’s episode. So are we any closer to figuring out what’s happening on this series?
Let’s bitch it out…Just when you thought that Elena couldn’t be more insufferable, Bitten introduces “grief-stricken, homicidal rage” Elena. Turns out that our protagonist can be whinier and more annoying than ever <groan> The newfound bitchiness is part of her coping mechanism to deal with the loss of Pete and although she explains to everyone and anyone who will listen that she’s not used to the loss of a loved one, it certainly doesn’t make her more sympathetic. Kudos to Jeremy (Greg Byrk) for tolerating her child-like antics.
The big issue with ‘Grief’ is that it replays many of the narrative beats that we’ve already witnessed: angry citizens confronting Clay (Greyson Holt) and Elena in town; Philip (Paul Greene) worrying about Elena’s lacking communication/relationship skills and the Sheriff (Fiona Highet) poking around Stonehaven and the Danvers family history. At this point Bitten needs to break some new ground. Thankfully it appears that things might be moving in the right direction with the revelation that the mutts are bonding together to take on the pack. With notable antagonists Cain (Noah Danby) and Marsten (Pascal Langdale) leading the charge (but not giving the orders apparently) there’s plenty of potential for things to get a lot more interesting. Here’s hoping it unfolds just a little bit faster than these four initial episodes.
Other Observations:
- Why does Elena bother putting her pants on, but not her top before re-entering the house? Makes no sense…unless she wants Nick (Steve Lund) to stare at her boobs, that is.
- If there is any justice in the world, let the words “vodka campaign” never be uttered on this show again!
- In case you were wondering, the Danvers family has been associated with the Mafia, Satanists and the occult. Good to know.
- The moment that Clay and Elena overhear the banter between the girls at the diner as they deconstruct the body language between the former lovers is amusing? Admit it. If you had super hearing, you would totally do stuff like this, too.
- Of all the ways to cover for Pete’s disappearance, the FBI ruse seems like the most elaborate and least believable way to go. I have difficulty believing this won’t backfire quite spectacularly (though I doubt it will ever be addressed again).
- Finally, there’s a nice general sense of malice that builds-up during Logan’s (Michael Xavier) meeting with Daniel Santos (Michael Luckett). Anyone else get the sense that Santos’ desire to return to the pack is less that genuine? This guy could be big trouble.
Best Lines:
- Elena (when Jeremy suggests bloodlust is not in her nature): “I hate everything that has happened since you asked me to come back here” God, give it a rest!
- Clay (after Elena clarifies their touchy moment in the woods was a mistake): “Understood, darlin’” Has Clay been watching Showgirls?
What are your thoughts on ‘Grief’? Is the series repeating itself too often? Are you intrigued by the idea of a mutt rebellion? How long can the Danvers stay hidden with so much suspicion (and DNA at crime scenes) piling up? And is Elena one of the whiniest protagonists on TV? Sound off below (but please refrain from addressing book spoilers!)
Bitten airs Saturdays at 9pm EST on SPACE in Canada and Mondays at 8pm EST on Syfy in the US.