[Review] The InBetween Season 1 Episode 1 – “Pilot”

by Qua-niesha

Poster for the NBC drama series “The InBetween” featuring the face of Harriet Dyer, and the full bodies of Anne-Marie Johnson, Paul Blackthorne, and Justin Cornwell.

The InBetween follows Cassie Bishop (played by Harriet Dyer), a woman with a connection to the spirits lingering in the space between the living and the death (known as purgatory). We’re immediately shown that this is not a new experience for her and that she drowns this out with alcohol use. Where the plot begins is her newer visions that become a major clue to the overarching investigation by the Seattle Police Department where her foster father, Tom Hackett (played by Paul Blackthorne), and newly transferred FBI-turned-cop, Damien Asante (played by Justin Cornwell), work. Over the course of the episode, as Cassie helps a young child close a chapter in her life, the police detectives unravel the mystery of a serial killer. In the midst of both plots, we see that Damien might be more connected to the lives of Tom and Cassie than he’s willing to admit.

Created by Moira Kirland (Madame Secretary, Dark Angel), The InBetween was executive produced by Charlotte Sieling (Krøniken, Mesteren), Nancy Cotton (Carrier, Complete Savages), Matthew Gross (Across the Universe, Body of Proof), David Heyman (Harry Potter franchise, The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas), Kirkland, and co-executive produced by Bill Johnson (Midnight, Texas, A Walk to Remember). The episode was produced by Christina Malach, written by Kirkland, and directed by Sieling. The show is very open-and-shut about the police procedural side while leaving the more supernatural elements and character drama ongoing for the season. It’s contemporary, and there are tidbits in the dialogue that reveal a lot in the story that you may miss. If you liked Castle from ABC or Manifest from NBC, you’ll like this.

 

Something I do appreciate about the show was the realness of the young child Abigail (played by Sarah Abbott), and how Cassie didn’t chastise her for being wrong. With the kind of personality Cassie has, I’ve seen a few shows that make people like her not as patient with kids, but Cassie understands and listens in her own way. She also guides the child to better thinking so she can be at peace quicker. It makes for a much likable character. On the flip side, Damien’s character comes off initially as hard to like because the narrative is from Cassie and Tom’s point-of-view. And the actions that Damien partake, like the repeated disrespect he shows Cassie either to her face or behind her back, adds to a distasteful narrative. If they didn’t have scenes where Damien attempted to apologize for his wrongdoing and show that he’s close to a woman who may be related to Cassie, I would have written this show off. I can see there is a reason he came off that way, and the show will further explain it. The dialogue flows well with what the show pulls off. It feels natural. It goes by quickly, but I think that adds to the detective narrative of needing to solve the case. The authenticity is what really drives me to this show; the authenticity mixed with the supernatural aspects.

 

Dyer does good in her role. At some points, I don’t know if she meant for her character to seem zoned out and dry, but it works for me considering what her character deals with. Abbott also did great in her role. There wasn’t much for Blackthorne in this episode (expression-wise beyond seeming neutral), but I am aware of his talents, and I look forward to seeing more of him. Cornwell had some softer aspects especially toward the end that I think he showcased well. There was one heartrending scene for him that I think he nailed. There were other good moments from Sean Bolger, Garrett M. Brown, and Chad Rook. Since Cindy Luna is billed as a main, I look forward to seeing more of her as well. The cast (main, recurring, and guest) is solid with amazing performances.

I got into The InBetween super late, like a week before it premiered, because I saw a commercial for it, and it interested me. It looks like it’ll join Roswell, New Mexico and What We Do In The Shadows in my list of “feel good” shows of 2019 as long as it keeps up this quality. The pilot is great, and the promotional trailer for episode two seems even more intriguing. I would say I’m thoroughly interested. 9/10.