It’s no secret that NBC has renewed all of its new fall programming except for Undercovers. Instead of being handed the back nine safety net, this procedural drama received additional scripts, not episodes. TV Guide has uncovered exciting news surrounding the program with potential. Undercovers, the spy series from partners J.J. Abrams (Lost, Alias) and Josh Reims (Felicity), premiered with a rocky start. The most recent episode netted 5.4 million viewers; the show is no runaway success (surprising news for Abrams fans all over). With unexceptional ratings and no full season order happening just yet, Reims and company need to prove that this show is worth keeping on the airwaves. And they’re going to do that by injecting some compelling mythos into the storyline.
Before Undercovers premiered, Reims and Abrams discussed their ultimate plan for the show. We know Abrams is all about mythology (re: Fringe, Lost, Alias), but Reims did not want to make the show difficult or confusing for casual viewers to tune into every week. So they decided to structure the show with a procedural backbone. But with the recent rating slump, Reims suddenly had a change of heart. Mythology is coming, and it involves digging to the Blooms’ past.
Spills star Boris Kodjoe: “The mythology is represented by Shaw and his boss, and the plan they have for the Blooms. Every episode we find out new elements and new aspects about this master plan that was in place even before they came back to the CIA.” Reims adds: “They’re kind of upset that they were sent into this dangerous field without knowing the exact reason why they were there. So that lights a fire underneath them to find out what those real reasons are.”
Kodjoe and Reims are hopeful the next round of episodes will captivate and invest viewers. “Audiences are not to be underestimated”, says Kodjoe. We want to be entertained and there has to be some sense of escapism. On the other hand, people want to be challenged. I think that’s part of the reason they made that adjustment. Obviously we want to challenge our audience and make sure they stay with us.” Reims: “Obviously, we would have liked for [the network] to say, ‘Go ahead and shoot your back nine episodes,’ but I understand our ratings aren’t exactly going through the roof. I’m hoping that when they see the episodes that are airing in the next few weeks, plus the scripts they are going to get, they’ll realize, ‘Oh, wow there’s a lot going on in this show and we don’t want to give up on it yet.'” Me too.
The new storyline promises to take one step back away from the Blooms’ domestic life and dive more into their spy missions. And guess who’s playing Shaw’s boss? That’s right–Alan Dale (Lost‘s Charles Widmore).
If you’re not watching Undercovers you should be. It’s an exhilarating, smart, and sexy thrill ride that features exotic locales and fun spy missions, and not to mention witty, hilarious dialogue. With the introduction of some mythos, things will only get better from here. It airs Wednesday nights at 8PM on NBC. Tell your friends.
Update: You clearly did not tell your friends. NBC cancelled the show.