Show on Satan’s kid needs lighter touch

  • By Victor Balta / Herald Columnist
  • Wednesday, January 19, 2005 9:00pm
  • LifeGo-See-Do

At first glance, Fox’s new supernatural drama, “Point Pleasant,” looks like a ridiculous, unlikely and altogether silly premise.

Upon further review, that’s probably about right.

But it doesn’t mean there isn’t room for a little “Buffy: The Vampire Slayer” meets “The O.C.” kind of fun on a Thursday night.

The show, which premiered last night, settles into its regular time slot at 9 tonight on KCPQ, Channel 13.

The daughter of Satan has washed up in the tony New Jersey beach town of Point Pleasant and doesn’t know the powers she possesses.

She’s a New York girl who floated to town after falling off a high school party cruise boat and now she just wants to find her mom, who apparently came from a nearby New Jersey waterfront burg.

The show’s only problem is that, unlike its theoretical TV parents, it actually takes itself seriously. This slight flaw – as with Fox’s beat-the-clock drama, “24” – is OK as long as we the viewers don’t make the same mistake.

Billed as a soap opera with a supernatural twist, all the pieces are certainly in place. Most of the actors come from daytime soaps, and co-creator Marti Noxon was behind “Buffy” and its spin-off, “Angel.”

Pouty blond newcomer Elisabeth Harnois (“All My Children”) embraces her character, Christina Nickson, and is somehow believable as she discovers how her strengths begin to change the course of events in the town.

As outcast Ryan Atwood’s arrival in “The O.C.” did, Christina’s entrance changes the lives of virtually everyone in the community, particularly the family that takes her in.

Ryan came to Newport Beach from Chino, Calif., while Christina’s road to Point Pleasant, N.J., is traced back to hell.

Anyone who’s been to Chino would tell you Christina got the better deal.

The literal whirlwind begins when Christina’s body nears the beach of Point Pleasant. A rainstorm, the worst in the area’s history, sweeps the town and teenage lifeguard Jesse Parker (played by Sam Page, also of “All My Children” and “American Dreams”) swims out to rescue Christina, whom he sees floating out in the distance.

The kind Dr. Ben Kramer (Richard Burgi of “As the World Turns” and “24”) and his family – wife, Meg (Susan Walters of “The Young and the Restless”), and daughter, Judy (Aubrey Dollar of “Guiding Light) – allow the mysterious new girl to stay with them.

Some juicy side stories involving jealousy, bikini-clad teenagers, someone who is out to kill Christina and someone else who is out to keep her in line with daddy’s plan unfold while she tries to find her mom.

Ultimately, it will be a test of whether Dad’s evil influence will outweigh Mom’s, whom we come to learn was a good, church-going woman. In Fox’s words, the battle for her soul has begun.

Last night’s premiere leaves some room for excitement for those open to having some fun in the world of the supernatural.

So before you tell Christina to take her show back to where she came from, give it a try.

You might be – I’m sorry, but I just can’t stop myself – pleasantly surprised.

Columnist Victor Balta: 425-339-3455 or vbalta@heraldnet.com.

Fox network

All hell is about to break loose when a beautiful young woman, Christina Nickson (Elisabeth Harnois), washes ashore and begins the search for her true parentage in Point Pleasant.

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