Dear FX,This fall television network has been pretty lousy at the broadcast networks. Massively hyped series have fizzled and viewers seem largely turned off by the prospects for new offerings, with several series already cancelled. It's likely that the axe will fall on a bunch more before winter comes.
Which is why your new series, Terriers, is such a breath of fresh air amid a what's largely a creatively stagnant landscape this fall.
For some reason, viewers haven't flocked to this remarkable series.
Perhaps it was the odd choice of title (it's not about dogs or dog breeders, despite the scrappiness of our protagonists) or the advertising campaign that played up images of snarling, biting, and scrappy dogs rather than focus on the beachy private investigator angle or series leads Donal Logue and Michael Raymond-James. Or perhaps this would have performed better in the summer rather than competing against a crush of new series, all premiering at the same time and jockeying for viewers' attention.
Regardless of the ratings (they, like the canines alluded to in the title, are small but fiercely loyal), Terriers is a series worth sticking with, a hysterical and heartbreaking series that's quirky and original and broadens the brand of FX.
Creators Shawn Ryan and Ted Griffin have winningly fused together the crime-based procedural with serialized, character-based arcs, fleshing out the world of Ocean Beach in include a cast of colorful characters that only get more, well, colorful over the next four episodes, which I gleefully watched recently.
Over the course of its first five installments, Terriers developed into a deeply nuanced series that explored the bond between brothers, between lovers, and between people, a taut emotional cat's cradle that examined the consequences of action.
These next four episodes, beginning with tonight's "Ring-a-Ding-Ding," find Hank and Britt grapple with a number of changes to their lives as the wedding between Hank's ex-wife Gretchen (Kimberly Quinn) and Jason (Loren Dean) fast approaches, the condition of Hank's sister Steph (Karina Logue) worsens considerably, and secrets between Katie (Laura Allen) and Britt threaten to derail their entire relationship. (I'll say that all four episodes were outstanding, and I adored the guys' unusual client in "Pimp Daddy," who nearly stole the show, and the tension of "Agua Caliente.")
Along the way, supporting characters like new mother Maggie (Jamie Denbo)--the guys' putative boss as well as attorney--and Hank's ex-partner Mark Gustafson (Rockmond Dunbar) get fleshed out further, as the series itself grows up a bit. It still hasn't lost its focus on odd couple Hank and Britt, but there's a remarkable sadness that's crept into its bones as well, making this far more than a one-trick pup.
Terriers may not be an out of the gate smash hit like Sons of Anarchy, your top-rated series, but it's also a critical favorite that adds a bit of screwball fun to the lineup. Positioned differently, it could be a quiet hit for the network as well as sit separately from the acid-tongued humor of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia and The League, the sweeping Shakespearean Sons of Anarchy, and the Western trappings of Justified.
Besides, those ratings aren't quite accurate now that Dish Network subscribers can't even watch Terriers, much less FX at all. So reports that ratings have plunged for this winning series aren't all that accurate, considering it's not available in as many homes as a few weeks earlier. Let's just keep that in mind when taking a look at the fate of this series.
But with so many doctor/lawyer/cop tropes on display yet again this season, Terriers has been a refreshing alternate to regurgitated and rewarmed genres that we've seen time and time again. And while PIs aren't exactly novel nowadays, the way in which they're handled here--they're too small to fail--makes for compelling and intelligent programming, something that's severely lacking on the broadcasters right now.
So why not do Terriers fans a solid and not put this dog to sleep just yet?
Terriers airs Wednesday evenings at 10 pm ET/PT on FX.
Comments
Please add me to the list of people who think this show deserves a chance (and perhaps a better advertising campaign).
-gary
It is a great show with a loyal following. I love it.
So please FX, keep Terriers!
The story-telling here is top notch and the acting isn't far behind. At a time when most new shows are based on a "hook" of some sort of fantasy or concept to take the viewer out of their own reality - Terriers removes the frills and communicates directly to the audience with genuine emotions we can all relate to. A sunnier Homicide: Life on the Streets if you will.
Love the show.
(i really hope this doesn't go the way of every other show i gravitate to... )
go Terriers!
I think they should be marketing this show completely differently: as in, if you like, "Breaking Bad", "Mad Men", "Damages", "Veronica Mars" or "The Shield", you should be giving this show a shot.
Donal Logue is really amazing in this: so willing to be scruffy and pathetic. But what's really amazing is that there are *consequences* in this show--they don't emerge unscathed from their errors, and all the characters struggle mightily with daily living, and the small disasters (and the large ones) that can ruin lives. In "Ring-a-ding-ding", they let the terminal MoTW character be defined by revenge, both irrational and futile, instead the stereotypical forgiveness and acceptance that we'd see on a less daring show.
There's really some remarkable shows being produced on television nowadays...however, none of them seem to be on the broadcast networks.
Donal is awesome-but I fear Michael Raymond-James is being over looked and under valued. He was awesome in True Blood. That's what drew me to Terriers. I knew a bigger role for him would be highly entertaining TV.
THANK YOU!!!
http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/SaveTERRIERS
http://tiny.cc/iif183o8ss
"Colorful characters" usually means that Gilmore Girl David Kelly kind of forced "aren't we whimsical" b.s. Not here. Any show that was going for The Shield's blend of humor and bleakness - was a pale imitation for me.
Terriers was love in the first 30 seconds. It was love because it's great. The look of it; the humor; the sadness. D.L is an incredible actor. But that Michael Raymond James:wow. Fabulous delivery and fabulous face. He is one of the most adorable gorgeous men on TV ever. Now that Jon Hamm is gone, MRJ has the field to himself.
FX- don't be schmucks. How big a female audience do you have? RENEW TERRIERS!
Every episode has just been building and building, and finally, friends of mine are starting to catch on. Keep it around, FX!
TERRIERS is this seasons best new show!
Fine acting, by a game ensemble, and stories with a great big heart written by writers who actually to give viewers credit for having the brains to follow along.
PLEASE KEEP "TERRIERS" ON THE AIR.
Thanks!
What the heck is WRONG with T.V. these days??!! Not everyone has a desire for Reality T.V. TERRIERS and JUSTIFIED are thee only shows we have been watching...TERRIERS is entertaining, funny, quirky and Donal and Michael are a FANTASTIC team! You know its a great show when your mad at the "scenes for next week" pops up, because you dont WANT to wait! THAT is what people want! LOL I even groove to the music when credits roll! LOVE IT! PLEEZE PLEZE keep TERRIERS around.....
sincerely Wendy & Aaron, Arkansas