Season 1, Episode 1
Air Date: March 24, 2020, 10/9c on NBC
Rating:
“Do you have jerseys and a secret handshake?” — Robin Perry
Following a cancer diagnosis, Scott Perry (Tom Everett Scott) finds himself worrying about his children growing up without a male role model. He enlists the aid of his close friends to form the “Council of Dads,” a group of men to be fatherly figures for his children, and help his wife Robin (Sarah Wayne Callies) when he’s gone. If the story created by Joan Rater and Tony Phelan sounds familiar, it’s because Council of Dads is based upon the Bruce Feiler novel of the same name.
When it comes to television, it’s impossible to mention Council of Dads and not think of This is Us also on NBC. The studio even moved the Council of Dads original premiere date to coincide with the This is Us season finale. Both shows deal with the death of a father and his lasting influence on his children as they grow up. While This is Us uses flashbacks to share insight to the father, Council of Dads relies on the Council to carry on Scott’s memory. The comparison is a blessing and a curse as Council of Dads often feels more like a studio’s attempt to recreate what worked before rather than an inspirational show standing on its own.
One of my favorite parts of the “Pilot” is the opening scene where we’re introduced to Scott, Robin and their four children—Theo (Emjay Anthony), JJ (Blue Chapman), Charlotte (Thalia Tran), and Luly (Michele Weaver). The three-minute opening tells me everything I need to know about the Perry family and I immediately found myself caring about the difficult journey they were about to take. With such a wonderful opening, it’s unfortunate the feeling doesn’t last.
The dilemma the “Pilot” faces is it’s essentially a prequel episode. The series is called Council of Dads not “Lessons from a Dying Father.” It’s no spoiler, it’s fact —for the council to form, Scott has to die; for the council to have meaning, we have to know Scott and his values. Rushing to get to the council’s formation, the writers’ use a series of time jumps which often coincide with the ups and downs of Scott’s cancer treatment. The speed dating approach of storytelling allows the audience to get a feel for Scott but not enough to get to know him.
Scott isn’t the only one hurt by the time jumps. Between the Perry family, and potential council members, screen time during the pilot is scarce. While the opening does a great job introducing us to the family as a whole; the pilot doesn’t allow time to know them as individuals. The only character given any kind of significant story arc is Luly and her budding relationship with Evan (Steven Silver), and even that is done hastily which doesn’t feel natural.
Forming the council is Scott’s oncologist, Dr. Oliver Post (J. August Richards), Scott’s long-time friend Anthony Lavelle (Clive Standen), and the mysterious Larry Mills (Michael O’Neill) who often shows up unexpectedly. I’ve been a fan of O’Neill for years. I revel in how Larry is introduced and used throughout the pilot. Larry is perhaps my favorite character on the show; I can’t wait to see what the writers have in store for him.
My biggest frustrations about Council of Dads is how much the writers struggle to find the characters individual voices. While some scenes are beautifully written, there are times a voiceover says one thing about a character leading to the very next line where the character is doing the exact opposite. Even Scott’s idea to form the council is more of a casual idea thrown out rather than a serious endeavor. It’s as if the writers realize the formation of the council is the official start to the series and all the scenes leading up to it is a just practice run to see what works.
When the series was first announced, I was immediately excited about the casting of Callies. Callies has a history of playing strong female characters, so I was eager to see her portrayal of Robin. Sadly, on a show about a group of men swooping in to help the grieving family, she isn’t given much to work with. At times, Robin comes across as more emotionally reactive rather than the type of character she could or should have been. Hopefully, as the series progresses Robin is given a chance to grow.
Beautifully shot around Savannah, Georgia, the series is full of potential yet doesn’t pause long enough for the story to take root. Perhaps the writers could have been better served had they allowed Scott’s cancer storyline to play out over several episodes. This would have given the audience a better chance to get to know him, his family, and the council.
In this difficult time the entire world is facing with COVID-19, it pains me to start this review with a more critical tone; however, there are bright spots about Council of Dads. The show isn’t bad, it’s just the “Pilot” doesn’t give the audience much of an opportunity to get to become invested in the characters. The final few minutes of the “Pilot” are as strong as the opening. With the council now in place, I’m much more hopeful for the direction of the show. It’s definitely worth giving it a chance.
Tune in to Council of Dads Tuesdays 10/9c only on NBC.
Tweet me @staffaroadtrip or leave a comment below to let me know what you think about the Council of Dads “Pilot.”
For more on the show, go to https://www.nbc.com/council-of-dads
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Photos © 2020 NBC Universal, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Greg Staffa
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