This is another entry in my "Under the Radar" series and another in my series of "Almost Classics". I really like this is another show based on the Werewolf which I feel is something we really don't get often where they're not just supporting players but main players, only ones I can think of are "Werewolf", "Teen Wolf" and the upcoming "Werewolf By Night" but those are stories for another time. I mainly heard and saw this show on the "Sci-Fi Channel" as it was another one of the shows which premiered on their monthly block of limited run shows.
The show was created by Mick Garris who is of course an alumni to horror. He's an honorable mention in favorite producers in the horror genre, it's true that he's one of those ones that hit or miss, though same can be said about all other horror producers and directors. But to me when they hit, they hit and that's what counts. This show was one of those hits despite not quite hitting the bullseye, it at least hit the board to score some points. Sidenote also those was created by Tom McLaughlin who is known for directing "Friday the 13th Jason Lives" which is cool as that's my favorite entry in the series if you can believe that. So, two horror alumni for the price of one show (or two if you count the last episodes of the show separately).
I like the premise which is kind of like the one in the TV show "Werewolf" but with a major difference to it as it's not your fugitive thriller but more your supernatural/fantasy actioner. This show you can say was slightly ahead of it's time as it predates shows like "Buffy", "Angel", "Supernatural" etc. Which were all feature heroes and heroines either with supernatural ability or without combating evil within the supernatural realm. It's a real shame this show's life span was cut Kate Hodge another on my list of underrated actresses I thought was sold. She's another one of the actresses I had a crush on when I was an adolescent as I remember her from the film "Rapid Fire" (story for another time). She's another in my book the hottest women on this planet, she physically looks like at least to me the character Makoto Kino/Sailor Jupiter from the anime series "Sailor Moon" but if she was an adult.
Anyway, really like the character Randi whom you can say is an underrated horror heroine. Really like her persona as he's energetic, spunky, and open minded. Her character is sympathetic as she was just an ordinary person that never asked for. We see her going though the motions in both understanding and controlling her newfound supernatural features and alter ego, doing the right thing, as well as struggling to find some cure for them as she doesn't want to be a werewolf forever. But also, she is trying to understand the supernatural realm she has just entered which makes her a fish out of water.
Like her number two which is Professor Ian Matheson played well by Neil Dickson another underrated actor. His character is sort of like who Giles in "Buffy the Vampire Slayer". The guy is experienced and a mentor figure for Randi as he helps guide her in this supernatural and mythological realm. His character could of easily of had a prequel series had this show been more successful. Really like how he has this dry, British, and sometimes wise crack sort of humor and charisma to him, but also like that despite not a trained fighter (he is an academic professor after all) he can hold his own against danger and best of all is selfless as he does everything to help Randi.
Really like the chemistry between the two, both I feel are another of those underrated romantic thriller couples. One of the strong points of the show are that both characters are in a relationship together that has it's ups and downs. Most of the romantic thrillers are based on build up to pay off which most of the time means it will take a way till the leads we want together become that.
Though the fundamental problem with this is when the story stretches out, it means the leads are apart longer, which also means roadblocks and a lot of other unwanted filler which can really make the story lose momentum and cause the story to lose a little of its spark. This show is one of the ones that don't do that, yeah both leads are platonic for a while but at some point, quit playing the platonic game and hook up. And even when they do things stay interesting and become even more interesting than before.
Really like the story in the show which is pretty much your mystery of the week format. Some would say that's a weak point of the show, but you have to understand TV shows back then didn't have that ongoing plot/story development structure at the time, even though it's true this show could have benefited from that. But I don't mind the mystery of the week format, it meant a new adventures for the duo and deepen the mythology and supernatural world of the show.
The effects are on par I like the werewolf transformations and make up, despite may 'be not the best for all Werewolf fans, but I still though was pretty good and best of all is practical. Which is almost become a lost practice as most things are done in CGI which I never liked as it can be cheating sometime and worst of all cheating the audience as the point with werewolf effects is to sell them an authentic illusion.
Really like the theme song which is on my list of honorable mention favorite themes. There are two versions of this song. For the latter part of the season, it was a jazzier romantic noir like tune. However, I personally like the first and true theme song to the show as it has that spooky mysteriousness to it, like a realm that is both fascinating but dangerous which fit the show.
Now, here come the cons of the show; one of the cons is that the writing of the show can be a little weak sometimes. But that's only in some episodes, let alone this was still only the first season. In fact, in almost every season there is bound to be a weak point or two.
Randi doesn't get to kick enough butt which also means she doesn't get to wolf out. She does wolf out in the show but unfortunately as the show progressed it became few and far between but worst of all totally absent in the final episodes. This move never makes sense to me, it's much like have a chocolate caramel bar but without he caramel, here you'd have just a plain but hollow chocolate bar that tastes good but not fulfilling because you still want the caramel. Though is mainly because of budgetary issues.
The main problem with the show is of course no surprise it's completely uneven. Due mainly to not getting the ratings desired, halfway in the season if you can believe that they decided to change and rework the show completely making it a romantic mystery thriller more in the same vein as "Moonlighting". They even changed the name of the show completely to a title that sounds like it was made at the last minute "Love and Curses". For people that have tuned in to "She Wolf of London" this caused confusion, unsure if they were even watching the same show which they were but weren't at the same time if you catch my drift.
Many shows have been known to change directions of their show which of course was known to be a ploy to draw in more viewers but also to keep the show fresh and broaden creative freedom and depth, but this only works when it keeps in continuity with itself.
Not to say the premise of "Love and Curses" was bad, I thought it was enjoyable, when in the right mood anyway. I do like the idea of a human and a supernatural being a couple and solving mysteries and saving lives together. But this idea should of be just that a separate show all together and it was an idea that came too late as the romantic mystery thriller sub-genre already faded after the 80's decade.
I wouldn't mind if a revival on this show was done if it's handled right, in the right hands along with even stronger writing and direction from obviously putting in an ongoing plotline format but also have a tremendous budget to push the envelope on the vision. But of course, most importantly have both "She Wolf of London" and "Love and Curses" be what they should be and were in the first place, two separate shows so both can stay true to their natures. Though this might sound like a long shot have silver screen adaptations based on this show (or both), which would be cool as we could use another werewolf movie as they don't come along often enough. It's an idea worth sniffing on anyway.
If you're a horror fan and into the Werewolf genre this show is at least worth sniffing out.
Rating: 3 stars.
The show was created by Mick Garris who is of course an alumni to horror. He's an honorable mention in favorite producers in the horror genre, it's true that he's one of those ones that hit or miss, though same can be said about all other horror producers and directors. But to me when they hit, they hit and that's what counts. This show was one of those hits despite not quite hitting the bullseye, it at least hit the board to score some points. Sidenote also those was created by Tom McLaughlin who is known for directing "Friday the 13th Jason Lives" which is cool as that's my favorite entry in the series if you can believe that. So, two horror alumni for the price of one show (or two if you count the last episodes of the show separately).
I like the premise which is kind of like the one in the TV show "Werewolf" but with a major difference to it as it's not your fugitive thriller but more your supernatural/fantasy actioner. This show you can say was slightly ahead of it's time as it predates shows like "Buffy", "Angel", "Supernatural" etc. Which were all feature heroes and heroines either with supernatural ability or without combating evil within the supernatural realm. It's a real shame this show's life span was cut Kate Hodge another on my list of underrated actresses I thought was sold. She's another one of the actresses I had a crush on when I was an adolescent as I remember her from the film "Rapid Fire" (story for another time). She's another in my book the hottest women on this planet, she physically looks like at least to me the character Makoto Kino/Sailor Jupiter from the anime series "Sailor Moon" but if she was an adult.
Anyway, really like the character Randi whom you can say is an underrated horror heroine. Really like her persona as he's energetic, spunky, and open minded. Her character is sympathetic as she was just an ordinary person that never asked for. We see her going though the motions in both understanding and controlling her newfound supernatural features and alter ego, doing the right thing, as well as struggling to find some cure for them as she doesn't want to be a werewolf forever. But also, she is trying to understand the supernatural realm she has just entered which makes her a fish out of water.
Like her number two which is Professor Ian Matheson played well by Neil Dickson another underrated actor. His character is sort of like who Giles in "Buffy the Vampire Slayer". The guy is experienced and a mentor figure for Randi as he helps guide her in this supernatural and mythological realm. His character could of easily of had a prequel series had this show been more successful. Really like how he has this dry, British, and sometimes wise crack sort of humor and charisma to him, but also like that despite not a trained fighter (he is an academic professor after all) he can hold his own against danger and best of all is selfless as he does everything to help Randi.
Really like the chemistry between the two, both I feel are another of those underrated romantic thriller couples. One of the strong points of the show are that both characters are in a relationship together that has it's ups and downs. Most of the romantic thrillers are based on build up to pay off which most of the time means it will take a way till the leads we want together become that.
Though the fundamental problem with this is when the story stretches out, it means the leads are apart longer, which also means roadblocks and a lot of other unwanted filler which can really make the story lose momentum and cause the story to lose a little of its spark. This show is one of the ones that don't do that, yeah both leads are platonic for a while but at some point, quit playing the platonic game and hook up. And even when they do things stay interesting and become even more interesting than before.
Really like the story in the show which is pretty much your mystery of the week format. Some would say that's a weak point of the show, but you have to understand TV shows back then didn't have that ongoing plot/story development structure at the time, even though it's true this show could have benefited from that. But I don't mind the mystery of the week format, it meant a new adventures for the duo and deepen the mythology and supernatural world of the show.
The effects are on par I like the werewolf transformations and make up, despite may 'be not the best for all Werewolf fans, but I still though was pretty good and best of all is practical. Which is almost become a lost practice as most things are done in CGI which I never liked as it can be cheating sometime and worst of all cheating the audience as the point with werewolf effects is to sell them an authentic illusion.
Really like the theme song which is on my list of honorable mention favorite themes. There are two versions of this song. For the latter part of the season, it was a jazzier romantic noir like tune. However, I personally like the first and true theme song to the show as it has that spooky mysteriousness to it, like a realm that is both fascinating but dangerous which fit the show.
Now, here come the cons of the show; one of the cons is that the writing of the show can be a little weak sometimes. But that's only in some episodes, let alone this was still only the first season. In fact, in almost every season there is bound to be a weak point or two.
Randi doesn't get to kick enough butt which also means she doesn't get to wolf out. She does wolf out in the show but unfortunately as the show progressed it became few and far between but worst of all totally absent in the final episodes. This move never makes sense to me, it's much like have a chocolate caramel bar but without he caramel, here you'd have just a plain but hollow chocolate bar that tastes good but not fulfilling because you still want the caramel. Though is mainly because of budgetary issues.
The main problem with the show is of course no surprise it's completely uneven. Due mainly to not getting the ratings desired, halfway in the season if you can believe that they decided to change and rework the show completely making it a romantic mystery thriller more in the same vein as "Moonlighting". They even changed the name of the show completely to a title that sounds like it was made at the last minute "Love and Curses". For people that have tuned in to "She Wolf of London" this caused confusion, unsure if they were even watching the same show which they were but weren't at the same time if you catch my drift.
Many shows have been known to change directions of their show which of course was known to be a ploy to draw in more viewers but also to keep the show fresh and broaden creative freedom and depth, but this only works when it keeps in continuity with itself.
Not to say the premise of "Love and Curses" was bad, I thought it was enjoyable, when in the right mood anyway. I do like the idea of a human and a supernatural being a couple and solving mysteries and saving lives together. But this idea should of be just that a separate show all together and it was an idea that came too late as the romantic mystery thriller sub-genre already faded after the 80's decade.
I wouldn't mind if a revival on this show was done if it's handled right, in the right hands along with even stronger writing and direction from obviously putting in an ongoing plotline format but also have a tremendous budget to push the envelope on the vision. But of course, most importantly have both "She Wolf of London" and "Love and Curses" be what they should be and were in the first place, two separate shows so both can stay true to their natures. Though this might sound like a long shot have silver screen adaptations based on this show (or both), which would be cool as we could use another werewolf movie as they don't come along often enough. It's an idea worth sniffing on anyway.
If you're a horror fan and into the Werewolf genre this show is at least worth sniffing out.
Rating: 3 stars.