Naomi Review: Shadow Ridge (Season 1 Episode 5)
Naomi Season 1 Episode 5, “Shadow Ridge,” finds our titular heroine on a class wilderness excursion that takes a turn for the extraterrestrial. It’s the first episode after a three-week hiatus, and, unfortunately, it fumbles the ball.
DEE: There are two ways to deal with fear. You fight it or you face it.
“Shadow Ridge” splits the plot by age group, with Naomi and her friends embarking on a camping trip while the adults stay in Port Oswego to carry the overarching narrative. Admittedly, the adults’ stories are far more intriguing than the teens’.
While there are specific alien ties to the “ghost” Naomi and her pals search for, it feels hollow compared to Greg, Jennifer, Zumbado, and Dee’s arcs. The latter’s efforts service the overall plot, propelling the narrative forward amid a show that struggles with its pacing incessantly.
That said, Kaci Walfall’s infectious charm is a highlight of Naomi, and the show does an excellent job of making us fall in love with her. It’s easy to christen the series lead as the “Mary Sue” of the bunch and bestow the supporting characters with quirkier traits.
ANNABELLE: So, we’re in a sequel. Great. There’s always way more death than the original.
However, the series takes time fleshing out Naomi as a character, injecting her with enigmatic layers and endearing qualities. But it falters with firmly establishing the supporting roles beyond Naomi, concealing any growth and nuance with corny dialogue (Annabelle says “I ship it” to Naomi, and it’s more than a bit cringy.).
Perhaps this review is harsh considering where Naomi airs — corniness is par for the course on The CW. But the network excels concerning action and thrill rides, and this series falls short in that regard.
Of course, any writer knows balancing character growth and plot development is a juggling act, a difficult thing to nail. Naomi needs to dig deep into the expansive comic book lore surrounding its lead and use that to its advantage. Perhaps forge connections between it and the other DC properties on The CW instead of presenting as a “standalone” series.
ZUMBADO: None of this would’ve happened if you had just stayed away from her.
Commander Steel discovering Greg and Jennifer’s meddling leads us in an explosive direction as it directly impacts Naomi’s standing in Port Oswego. Dee learning about the bounty hunter’s next target also gives the writers another opportunity to delve into his character. Here’s hoping the action soars in future episodes; otherwise, Naomi might take a nosedive.
Stray Observations:
- Those who appreciate symmetry will love that “Shadow Ridge” begins with Naomi and Nathan on a date and ends with Naomi and Nathan on a date.
- Who else was hoping for more Blair Witch-style shaky-cam action when Naomi and her friends were in the woods?
- When they entered that lab, Greg and Jennifer didn’t think about cameras recording their every move while on a military base. It’s the government; security is paramount!
- Lourdes will always be the frontrunner regarding Naomi’s potential suitors despite Nathan’s adorableness. The chemistry between them is far superior.
- There’s not enough Stephanie March on Naomi. You don’t bring in the Alexandra Cabot for minimal screen time.
What did you think of this episode of Naomi? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Naomi airs Tuesdays at 9/8c on The CW.
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Melody McCune
Melody loves TV. Maybe too much. Besides being a Senior Writer for Tell-Tale TV, she's the Managing Editor for Geek Girl Authority, an Independent Contractor for Sideshow Collectibles, and a Senior Writer for Eulalie Magazine. Additionally, she has bylines in Culturess, Widget, and inkMend on Medium. To top it all off, she's a critic for Rotten Tomatoes and CherryPicks.