Revival Season 1 Episode 1 Review: Don’t Tell Dad
*Note that this review contains spoilers for Revival Season 1 Episode 1, “Don’t Tell Dad.”
The dead have risen on Syfy’s latest comic book adaptation, Revival. And, once again, the network has tapped Melanie Scrofano to save the day. Based on the comic by Tim Seeley and Mike Norton, the series centers on Dana Cypress, played by Scrofano, a small-town detective and daughter of the sheriff.
The Plot
On the series premiere, Revival Season 1 Episode 1, “Don’t Tell Dad,” we watch as a mysterious supernatural event brings everyone who died within a specific two-week period back to life.
Unlike other stories about the undead, the people brought back to life on Revival are not zombies. They appear to be the same normal folks they were before they died. Although we soon learn they do have one pretty big supernatural enhancement.
As the town grapples with this monumental event, viewers meet Dana’s family and a few of the town’s more eccentric residents. Dana’s family includes her young son, Cooper, as well as her boss and father, Wayne, with whom Dana has a highly strained relationship.
We also meet Dana’s troubled sister Em, who has a lot of secrets for viewers to speculate about.
Rounding out the main cast of characters is Dr. Ibrahim Ramin, a scientist sent from the CDC to investigate what happened.
Awesome Action
Premiere episodes for any show have a lot riding on them. They introduce viewers to new characters and relationships, set the tone, and establish plotlines that will drive the rest of the season.
Sci-fi pilots have the additional task of orienting viewers to the rules and quirks of the supernatural elements of the story. Plenty of great sci-fi shows start with episodes that do just enough to get you to come back, but take a bit to earn your full interest. Revival is not an example of that.
Like any solid pilot episode, “Don’t Tell Dad” teases different plotlines that will unfold over the season and entices viewers with a unique story.
One with plenty of mysteries to unravel, complicated relationships to invest in, and larger political and sociological themes to explore, all wrapped up in a fun supernatural package.
But “Don’t Tell Dad” stands out for two main reasons. The first is the expert execution of the two action sequences bookending the episode.
The show throws viewers right into the action in an exciting cold open that immediately demands your attention. The open ends with a very cool-looking scene at a cemetery. It is one of my favorite shots from the episode.
In addition to just being very cool, it also serves as a sort of statement about the type of show viewers can expect.
The other big action sequence is at the end of the episode, and it is fantastic. From the first anxious moment of anticipation before the action to the incredible final reveal, it is edge-of-your-seat TV. There are even a few moments where I knew what was coming and still gasped when it happened.
A Terrific Lead
The other highlight of “Don’t Tell Dad” is Melanie Scrofano. There are several characters introduced on the episode that will no doubt become fan favorites.
Ibrahim is very charming and someone you immediately root for. The mystery surrounding Em makes her very compelling. Even Wayne, who comes off as a bit of a blowhard, has the makings of a great character arc.
But on this first episode, before we’ve gotten to know any of the characters, it’s clear that Scrofano is the heart of this show.
Full disclosure, I am a huge Wynonna Earp fan. I’m what you would call an Earper. Her involvement in this show is what put it on my radar to begin with.
But my experience watching Wynonna Earp, when I didn’t know who Scrofano was, was pretty similar to my experience watching Revival. Before I fell in love with that world and the rest of its characters (and man, did I fall hard for one Waverly Earp), it was Scrofano that won me over.
Melanie Scrofano has a presence that immediately draws you to her. She brings a unique genuineness to her characters that fills any scene she’s in. It grounds the craziness going on around her and creates a quick emotional connection with viewers.
More than that, Scrofano’s presence in a scene makes the audience care more about the other characters, too.
The perfect example is Em. While Em piques your curiosity right away, the writers purposely keep things about her pretty vague for most of the episode. That creates a sort of emotional distance for viewers.
It isn’t until Em’s scenes with Dana that we start to form any kind of emotional attachment to Em. As any Earper can tell you, Scrafono has the best big sister energy. If she loves Em, we love Em. Simple as that.
Revival is off to a great start with “Don’t Tell Dad.” It is a fantastic introduction to this world and these characters, and I’m excited to see where the rest of the season takes us.
What did you think of this episode of Revival? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and don’t forget to leave your own rating!
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Revival airs Thursdays at 10/9c on Syfy.
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Sarah Fields
Sarah is an obsessive geek who likes to get into the weeds and over think things. She is passionate about Sci-Fi and comics and is a giant classic film nerd. Sarah cares deeply about media representation and the power of telling diverse stories. When she's not writing or watching her favorite shows she spends her days working in the non-profit world trying to make life a little better for those that need some extra help.