Maybe my expectations for the Beauty and The Beast pilot were set too low based on all the early reviews calling it one of the worst premieres of the season, but I didn't think it was that bad.

In fact, I thought it was pretty good. 

Beauty and The Beast is in The CW's sweet spot: beautiful people in ridiculous or supernatural (or both!) situations with sexy undertones and emotionally stirring music that makes you totally buy in to their world of questionable plots and lustful glances.

Vincent Keller, "The Beast," is part of an experimental military genetics program? And he's a scientific genius? AND he's hot 99% of the time except when his adrenaline kicks in? Yup, it's a CW show through and through. As long as you're aware of that tuning in, I see only good things in your future.

Quick disclaimer: I've never seen the original Beauty and The Beast TV show that aired back in the late 80's, so I'm not judging this "remake" by i's predecessor. Great. Moving on.

Jay Ryan, most recently seen in the ill-fated Terra Nova, does a great job filling that much beloved role of the brooding CW supernatural hunk. He's not at Ian Sommerhalder's level, but let's face it, no one is. His transformation into the beast (is it a proper noun? Should it be The Beast?) was a little goofy and reminded me of Twilight, which, for the record, is never a compliment.

Kirsten Kreuk of Smallville fame is more believable in her role as a detective than I thought possible. That fight scene on the subway platform was impressive, but I did think it was pretty funny that Vincent only saved her once she had beaten the bad guys mostly to death. 

Ironically, the most ridiculous thing about the premiere wasn't the whole "Beauty and the Beast" plot but the "murder of the week" storyline. Using cosmetics to kill and frame people? It's just like the plot of Catwoman! Which, for the record, is also never a compliment. 

Beauty and The Beast has the makings of a classic CW show. There's lots for the network's legions of die hard fans to love and lust after here.

What did you think? Grade the premiere now: