TNT
Note: This piece was originally published on Creators.co.
Every summer season needs a juicy, semi-over the top, addictive drama series to get them through the weeks and months until the fall TV season starts up again. This seems to be the one! While in so many ways it seems to be a far cry from what the network’s been airing this past year, I think it’ll fit nicely. The characters themselves speak to the strengths this show may have. Certainly enough reason to check out at least the pilot.
The Warner Bros. Television pilot for Claws is something to truly see for yourself and then decide on what was presented to you. Even now I’m still trying to figure it all out. What worked, what was fun, what did I like? Any and all of those questions, plus many more I’m sure, are still swirling around in my mind. It’s a lot to take in. The one thing I’m pretty positive of, is that it was fun. That I want to come back for more and see how it all plays out. Perhaps I’ll discover that this series is truly worth it. That it’s giving me more than I can even fathom now. The perk about this new drama series is that it’s only 10 episodes long. That’s not that bad when you think about most summer shows or basic cable programs. Even if I can’t decide if this show is good and worth my precious time (which I typically devote six episodes to figuring out), at least I know I won’t have spent too many additional hours on it.
Open For Business
TNT
These women’s business may be to provide other women with manicures and possibly pedicures, but regardless, it’s to make their customers look as amazing as possible. We get to see them actually doing this work from time to time, but largely it’s all about what goes on at the salon and what happens to those who work there. You know, what a lot of TV shows are like. Plant characters in interesting locations or at fascinating jobs, but never really focus on the actual work they get paid to do. Thus far it’s not a downside, but it’s early, so, we’ll see. Because of this narrative approach, there’s ample opportunities to explore the other business they’re in as well as their own.
Business is booming! That’s what it looks like for Niecy Nash’s Desna and her friends at the nail salon as well as for the criminals they work for. See, in this world, which isn’t too surprising and might offer you your first opportunity to roll your eyes and heave a heavy sigh, there’s local criminal activities that our heroines are wrapped up in. Yes, it’s also a means to survive, but come on, really? Couldn’t the drama of their day to day lives suffice? I guess not. Whether you like this element or not, or really aren’t phased by it, it does have its perks. The drama, but there’s also some chaotic and slightly over the top moments. These moments are just juicy enough. You’re instantly caught up in the criminal elements that you can’t look away at all. You’ll miss something. To say nothing of how you’ll miss some surprising dramatic character backstory. The reasons why Nash has allowed herself to get wrapped up in all of this are sprinkled throughout. So, not only can this episode’s plot progress quite nicely, but you can also start to form your opinions on who she is. Why you should care.
Back at the salon, where Nash’s friends and fellow workers are keeping things running smoothly, we get to meet Carrie Preston as Polly, Judy Reyes as Quiet Ann, Jenn Lyon as Jen, and Karrueche Tran as Virginia. Four highly capable and fascinating women, but each with their own personal problems. That’s another beautiful thing about this episode and I think will be a huge factor in why this show works. You focus on these women, including Nash, but not in some superficial way. Pretty quickly and throughout, there are several organic moments that just provide insights and give you your first reasons for why you should care. Why you should invest time in the show. The biggest, which is constantly showcased when scenes are set in the salon, but occur even outside it, is how much these women genuinely care for one another. You get it! I, obviously, am not a woman, and so am at a huge disadvantage when it comes to this type of relationship, but not only do I find that this will be exciting to see explored, but I’m thinking I too can learn something from them. Sure some of their ups and downs will be tied to the crazy criminal life they’re part of, but even then, it’ll be grounded. That’s mainly how this show will balance out and be worth it. It’s also how it keeps with every other show that’s on TNT, and makes it a perfect fit!
Keeping with the personal for bit more, Nash really gets a chance to shine. Not only is she this business woman, who’s smart and has an incredibly strong voice, which she uses repeatedly when people try to screw with her in some way, but she’s also got other responsibilities. She has a brother, played by Harold Perrineau, and he’s in need of care as he’s developmentally disabled. The show hasn’t specified in what way, and maybe we’ll never know. At the end of the day, it doesn’t really matter. What does matter is that Nash is there to care for him. It’s clearly trying and so you get another way into her life and see just who she is. She’s incredibly complicated. Thus far too, it seems that the other women are as well. Preston’s on house arrest and reports to a parole officer, so that’s making life complicated. Because of this, in one scene, we see Lyon out with her family in the grocery store, and they run into Preston. Instant care and concern, plus development. That’s what makes me confident in what this show’s trying to do and the overall approach.
There’s a balance that’ll be needed in order to keep this show alive. If not, it’ll probably get weighed down in all the crazy, over the top antics involving these women’s criminal dealings. Or, it could also get distracted in trying to make this a juicy, sexy show with moments echoing the scene where Nash and co. throw someone out of the salon. That was just amazing!! Even Preston managed to show up and nail her part in the ordeal! Definitely a memorable scene. But, again, thankfully there was already a lot of grounded drama in between some of the darker comedy moments. Some writers and shows just can’t have that balance. Hopefully this series can maintain it for however long it’s on the air.
Originally Aired: June 11, 2017
Creator: Eliot Laurence
Starring: Niecy Nash, Carrie Preston, Judy Reyes, Karrueche Tran, Jenn Lyon, Jack Kesy, Kevin Rankin, Jason Antoon, Harold Perrineau and Dean Norris
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