Big Sky Review: ABC’s New Drama Series Will Take Your Breath Away

Created by David E. Kelly and based on the series of books by C.J. Box, Big Sky is a provocative thrill ride that’s full of surprises. I had the chance to screen the first two episodes, and I can tell you the story is about much more than it seems.

The setting alone is enough to draw you in — with a gorgeous Montana backdrop and small-town feel that you’d imagine to be entirely innocent, at least for a moment. It’s not though. Not by a long shot.

From the start, we’re introduced to several flawed characters that, right away, we’d like to know more about. There’s Cassie Dewell (Kylie Bunbury) and Cody Hoyt (Ryan Phillippe) who work as private detectives and who, we find out from Cody’s estranged wife Jenny (Katheryn Winnick) have been having an affair.

It’s an unfortunate way to introduce the women, however. The first interaction we witness between them is a scene where Jenny asks Cassie if she’s been sleeping with her husband, setting a tone for the series that’s a bit eye-roll worthy, if you ask me.

For a show that’s promising to be so female-centered, it feels counterproductive to open that way, and it rings a little false, especially as you get to know these women more.

Meanwhile, Ronald Pergman (Brian Geraghty), argues with his mother about his career as a long-haul trucker. He lives with her, and she makes it clear she’s disappointed in his life choices.

Their relationship is only mildly unsettling, as is Ronald’s overall presence on the screen. Geraghty’s excellent performance goes a long way in revealing some important nuances that tell us everything we need to know about his character — and in a way that will surely make your skin crawl.

Where the story really begins, though, is with two teenage sisters. While on a road trip to visit her boyfriend in Montana, Danielle Sullivan and her sister Grace are kidnapped on a remote part of the highway.

That eventually leads Cody, Cassie, and Jenny to all work together to search for them. They get information from a local cop, Rick Legarski (John Carroll Lynch) who is best described as “creepy” by one of the characters, and they learn those girls aren’t the only ones who’ve gone missing recently.

Each part of the story unfolds in a way that keeps the audience on their toes, but while there are plenty of shocking twists and suspenseful moments, what works best about Big Sky is that it doesn’t rely on action or shock-value.

What it relies on instead, is character, which makes it incredibly engaging. The focus on character development is certainly a strong suit. 

Jerrie (Jessie James Keitel), for example, a gender-fluid artist who crosses paths with the others proves to be one of the most complex characters. Keitel’s role is one that is significant for representation on primetime television, and they offer a powerful and emotional performance in the second episode that only leaves us wanting to know more about the character.

By the end of the second episode, in fact, we’re invested in every key character and can’t help but want to know more about them. It’s also often who they are and how they interact with one another that pushes the story forward, and that’s much more fun to watch than a constant stream of twists and turns.

Though, as I said earlier, Big Sky has those in a big way as well. It just doesn’t need them to drive the story. 

What it could use more of though, for that reason, is backstory. Hopefully, that’s coming. It seems that it is. But more details, and soon, would go a long way in making these characters more interesting to watch.

There’s also something lacking when it comes to chemistry in a few moments throughout the first two episodes. Is that a dealbreaker? No, but it does pull us away from the story at times just a little.

Overall, Big Sky is an engaging, suspenseful series that draws its audience in right away. And, it begins to move toward something darker in the second episode that makes the stakes feel even higher, proving Big Sky is more than just a simple thrill ride. This is a story with a whole lot of potential.

Are you looking forward to watching Big Sky? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Critic Rating:

User Rating:

 

Big Sky premieres tonight at will air Tuesdays at 10/9c on ABC.

 Follow us on Twitter and on Instagram!

Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!

What to Watch on TV: The Crown, Big Sky, LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special