Deception Review: Who's the Killer?
Deception led us down plenty of twists and turns in "I'll Start With the Hillbilly" but at least we finally learned who killed Vivian Bowers.
Robert Bowers.
Deception tried to throw us off the trail by placing suspicion on Sofia, but there was never really any true question in these last few episodes Robert was Vivian’s true murderer.
The only trouble now is trying to prove it. Robert has never said anything and only the flashbacks and evidence have only alluded to him killing Vivian.
With Deception Season 1’s ratings what they are, it’s not hard to imagine we’ll never know how everything will shake out, how Robert evades the law and if Julian and Joanna will ultimately stay together.
This kind of season finale brings me to my biggest gripe about tonight’s episode. The finale served as a great launching pad for a potential second season, and it certainly whet our anticipation for resolution and answers; but that kind of ending is a double-edged sword in today's television realities. Shows fail, shows aren’t always given the fair push they deserve and shows sometimes aren't responded well to.
With all of that in mind, why would Deception want to end with so little closure?
Mia is finally beginning to find her new identity and role within a household of changed dynamics, with brothers becoming uncles and parents becoming grandparents, only to be kidnapped by Sofia’s ever growing Wyatt problem. Instead of worrying about Will bringing her a diet soda, Sofia should really be focusing on making sure Wyatt's taken care of. Robert certainly has the experience necessary.
Haverstok is only growing more powerful and his confirmation as Attorney General is only a formality at this point. It’s rather remarkable watching his transformation over the course of the season from distraction... to slime ball... ti shameless father... and, finally to a man focused on avenging the love of his life. He’s a complete jerk, don’t get me wrong, and he’s hungry for power; but at least he’s focusing on getting to the bottom of Robert’s deception.
More Thoughts and Questions:
- Edward saying good-bye to his wife was so hard to watch.
- Johanna, thanks to Haverstock, is still keeping her secret from Julian. I guess that struggle will end up being the biggest roadblock in their relationship if another season is picked up.
- What did Joanna’s mother reveal to Julian?
- Was anyone else thinking the dirty cop would be Robert’s next victim?
Nick McHatton is a TV Fanatic Staff Writer. Follow him on Twitter.
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Deception Review: Along Came Haverstock
Rank: Regular Character
March 29th, 2013 5:13 PM
I agree with m, it was a weak ending to an average show.
March 25th, 2013 10:34 PM
Love Love Love Deception!!!
Especially the Julian and Johanna storyline!!!!
Rank: New User
March 23rd, 2013 5:55 PM
And given Julian's typical short attention span, I hope she keeps it quiet until Julian shows he is able to survive a few relationship ups & downs. most of the family & coworkes already know. Given how much Julian is photographed, it is probably best for her undercover work.
Will Morena - I think this character is very poorly written and will need to be fixed in S2. From comments on Hulu, there is a rising resentment from men of color on the depiction - incompetent, unsympathetic, uncharismatic, rude, petty, jerk.
Arch Villain - I think we already got the hint that Robert & Haverstock are going to take each other on in S2. That should give us people we can hate. Both are loathsome.
For me, the weakest character is Sophia?
Rank: New User
March 23rd, 2013 5:42 PM
I am 100% addicted to this show. I love the epic family saga potential. I will agree that the scripts have not been uniformly good, but the show got next to no promotion and it was pitted against 2 powerhouse shows with established and dedicated following. And the worst possible lead-in - watching obese people struggle to lose weight straight to the top 0.1% living truly decadent lifestyles.
I think the ending was the result of having to fit 5 episodes into 3 (they lost 2 episodes - 11 instead of 13; after the first 8 were already filmed). I am not too disturbed about the way it ended. We the die-hard fans will get the series a 2nd season.
As for all the complainants, why would Joanna be in favor of having her relationship front & center after just a few nights? As a female, I like to keep my relationships quiet until it has had time to grow. And given Julian's typical short attention span, I hope she keeps it quiet until Julian shows he is able to survive a few relationship
March 19th, 2013 11:00 PM
It was an AWFUL series. Some really terrible acting, and every hackneyed and trite plotting trick in the book. This series was an insult to intelligence and good taste.
March 19th, 2013 5:08 PM
I really enjoyed this show and hope it is given a 2nd season.
The finale left me wondering if the TV station cut off the ending before it was over? Left alot of questions unanswered to continue for another season.
March 19th, 2013 4:13 PM
Implosion, you make some great points about the show being too slow. Too much back story. Laz Alonso is not quite right for this character and there is no chemistry between him and Joanna.
Julian and Joanna are old enough to reveal their relationship, so why continue hiding?
I just wish it had ended with a big bang, got an upsurge in ratings and given the network a good reason to bring this show back for another season. It needs a good villain like the other popular shows on TV right now.
Robert, Julian and Joanna are the only characters I am really interested in. Sophia's side story brings nothing to the show and I don't understand why it was introduced towards the end, when they don't know if they are getting a second season.
This finale felt like it should have been episode 10 and they were going to come back next week with a big finale, answer some questions and leave fans wanting more.
I would give this series 5 out 10 but I think it has lots of room to improve.
Rank: Guest Star
March 19th, 2013 2:54 PM
I thought last night was a great ending if the show gets picked up for another season but if it doesn't it leaves with a lot of things still not answered. I think it should get another season though to further the story line on.
March 19th, 2013 11:04 AM
As well, there needs to be a character that the viewers can HATE or rather loves to hate. The show has all the necessary ingredients to be epic and stellar...it just needs to be tweaked to ensure that the writers do not remain too self indulgent. Its almost like the writers and the directors are editing and writing for themselves and forget that they have to write for an audience.
Just some thoughts.
Imp
March 19th, 2013 11:02 AM
I FLOVE this show. I think that it deserves another season. I think the writer and director are to blame for the slow start to a potential epic series. The show paid too much attention to back story, which made the pace slow. Ultimately the series took too long to get to many salient points of plot, which were needed to reel the viewers in. There is nothing wrong with the storyline, other then the show writers and directors needed to speed things up. Today we are in the internet age and folks are not into slow and meandering storylines ....people want to get to the point at a much faster pace. I hope they get another season as I am totally and completely sold as a viewer. However, I am a viewer with caveats, the Joanna and Julian storyline is awesome and needs to remain. The murder and all fallout storylines needs to roll out far quicker then it has thus far. Also some character changes are needed....Laz Alonzo character I think needs to be recast....As well, there needs to be a charac