Pan Am
ABC’shigh - flying period piecedebuts tonight . DoesPan Amcapture the glamour and romance of jet age traveling , or plainly copy the success of a certain other 60 ’s shows ?
Pan Amfollows the life of four air hostess ( not flight of steps attendants ) and one pilot , all crewing a brand novel jetliner in 1963 . Pan American is the biggest airline in the United States , the pilots are gods among men and the hostess are icons of exemption and state of grace . Behind the veil of marketing , the woman are subjected to supermodel standard of smasher , which combine with a difficult and spunk - wracking career to set them all on edge . In reality , the buffer … are essentially super well - trained playboys .
The primary generator of drama comes from Maggie ( Christina Ricci , Monster ) and sisters Kate ( Kelli Garner , proceed the Distance ) and Laura ( Margot Robbie ) . Maggie is the incredibly pragmatical drawing card of the stewardess , devote to the company despite its casual abuse . Her personal relationships are sacrificed to her chore - not that she particularly cares .
The larger surgical incision of the pilot is devoted to Kate and Laura . Kate is being enroll by a mysterious G - man and given an assignment to pester a soviet operative for Uncle Sam , with the promise of more loyal help to come . Laura ( " the pretty one " ) joins with Pan Am after impart her groom-to-be at the alter . Her popularity is bolstered by being feature on the screen of LIFE Magazine , which straight off re - fire a life of sibling contention .
Romantic aspects of the show are largely given to pilot Dean ( Mike Vogel , Cloverfield ) and Colette ( Karine Vanasse ) . Dean is engaged to a former stewardess with a itchy feet , whom we see in a series of flashbacks that permeates the installment . Colette affright when her matrimonial swain appears on the chemical group ’s first flight with his married woman and kid .
The first thing that pops out when take in thePan Ampremiere is the stigmatization : if Pan American Airlines had n’t fold twenty years ago , you ’d conceive this was the biggest piece of scripted advertizement sinceThe Wizard . The image of the airline , the industriousness and the ( at least somewhat fictional ) acculturation is seen in every moment of the fender , makingPan Ama beloved letter to the era instead of a naturalistic flavour at chronicle .
This position stretch to the entire output . The computer yield plane and flawless sets sparkle ; I ’d say there was Vaseline on the lens if it was n’t in HD . It makes for an enjoyable air , even if it collide somewhat with the tangled personal dramas being presented . The lilting point euphony is a real treat for rooter of the genre , making the pilot feel more likeCatch Me If You CanthanMad Men .
deliberate the themes of female liberation thatPan Amis trying to stage , it ’s rather unsatisfying that the show falls back on such well - trodden easy lay opera house tropes . The spurned mistress , the ruthless professional person and the overjealous sister - all of these are character we ’ve find out before . While show the double standards that cleaning lady faced fifty year ago quite well , the writer have unluckily forgotten to show the persona doing anything except tacitly accept them , even while they ’re being pose as " a new stock of woman . " The results ca n’t help but seem bland .
As for the story itself , there ’s a lot to care . The most interesting sections allot with Kate handle undercover agent duty while serving drinks and telling rider to buckle up . These are more tense than exciting , but they promise a lot more to come . Dean ’s pining comes off as a little miserable until the gotcha moment at the end of the episode , when the stake for actual risk are elevate considerably .
The remainder of the characters I could take or get out . Ricci essay her best , but she is n’t ease up a sight to work with considering that she ’s the star . Maggie is the same uncompromising career woman we ’ve seen slews of times before , made somewhat incredible regard she ’ll be give way the boot the instant she turn over 32 . Colette is magical but ultimately irrelevant , at least for now .
The larger problem is an excess of leads . This load the fender to the breaking point , often leaving the spectator too confused between the stories of half a dozen role , all of which get their own flashback . ( The fetching but identical sky - blue uniforms do n’t help . ) This is a mutual problem among boob tube pilots , and some of the reference will likely blow over into the background later into the time of year , but there ’s a definite deficiency of focus on presentation .
Take the Bay of Pigs flashback : the scene suddenly shifts to months before , where Maggie , Dean and his next bride - to - be are void the last grouping of prisoner exiles out of Castro ’s Cuba on a Pan Am prop plane . This historically significant segment is shoved into a few curt minutes just to highlight Dean ’s fail relationship , when it could have been a couple of piece de resistance installment later on on in the series .
If you ’re hurt for a glittery presentation of 1960s , Pan Amhits the spot . The generous production design , costumes and music are delightful , and they make for a much lighter atmosphere thanThe Playboy Club . As for the show itself , it seems like a meek reading ofGrey ’s Anatomy , minus the life - and - destruction drama ( though that could easily be coming ) . While a lack of focus strangle the first episode , those looking for a historical take on ABC ’s soap opera house formula will be entertained .
Pan Amisn’t hard - hit societal comment but it ’s pleasurable enough . Provided the show can get a more saturated narrative ( and get the great unwashed to wish about at least some of the steer ) , it may find a niche despite the bumpy landing place .
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Pan Amairs on ABC Sunday nights at 10 necropsy .
