Yep, I watched the debut episode of “Big Sky” last night – always fascinating to see how Montana and its people are portrayed. Drama-wise, this episode was enough to make me want to tune in for the next episode (that ending!). A bit hokey in spots with some eye-rolling TV tropes (two smart women literally fighting over a man? come on!), but it moved along nicely.
The premise of the first episode: “Grace and Danielle are kidnapped by a long haul trucker on a remote stretch of highway. Private detectives Hoyt and Dewell search for the sisters.” The episode moves between Helena and the area between Livingston and Gardiner, roughly.
The Montana Highway Patrol trooper character was interesting – in his first scene, something felt very “off” about him, but he genuinely seemed to care when he jumped into action to help find the missing young ladies. Worst part of the episode: three people who are unable to escape the back of a semi-truck by overpowering one man. Strains credibility, but…whatever.
Montana-wise – well, of course it wasn’t filmed in Montana (British Columbia, I think), but there were things that make it clear it is set in Montana, such as a shot of the Walking Mall in Helena, the apt-named “Lewis & Clark Walk-In Clinic,” the mile marker of I-90 corresponding to the approximate “correct” location in Park and/or Stillwater County, and the Montana license plate (but with a Butte #1 tag in Helena?), Yankee Jim Canyon. Also: the trees branches hanging over the two-lane road after the two young ladies got off the highway definitely did not look like Montana – gave off more of a New England vibe.
The series is based on a series of books by C.J. Box that I had once considered reading, and David E. Kelley brought the show to TV. Kelley has a pretty good track record with some slightly off-kilter TV shows (Boston Legal!).
Bottom line: not great, but good enough to keep me on board for the second episode. So – if you watched – thoughts?
