If I were writing this in short form, I could sum up the future of Meadowlands in two words: I’m Hooked. Being that Showtime is notorious for doing this to me, I cannot say I am surprised.

I have been a huge fan of Showtime series in the past (Queer as Folk, Street Time, The Tudors, and Jeremiah) and have a few, (such as Californication) that I am anxiously awaiting. Meadowlands was also on this list.

Before receiving my review disc I had been keeping a close eye on the promotional spots on Showtime for Meadowlands. I gathered that the show would be a thriller and was certainly intrigued, but you learn only enough from a good promo to make you want more. I came to find out that the pure genius of this show is that this is what happens throughout each episode that you watch. There is a need to know more about each person and the town itself. You are always left wanting more, but the agony of waiting is delicious as you try to determine the whos and whats of this mysterious town.

The premise of Meadowlands is a simple one. A typical family, the Brogans, move into one of the most delightful looking subdivisions on the planet. We soon learn though that in Meadowlands (as in life) things are not always as they seem.

Meadowlands is a community that offers homes by invitation only. While this is not very common for a standard community, in Meadowlands it is a necessity because all of the people in town are hiding secrets from the rest of the world. It is these secrets that manage to keep everyone in Meadowlands, making this town a whole new world for the residents that live there.

The Brogans tend to be quite the dysfunctional family. Parents, Danny and Evelyn, seem to be in love, but there are issues far beyond that love that complicate their marriage. Also in the mix, are Zoe and Mark, the 17 year old twins. Zoe is flirty and sarcastic, which can at times get her into trouble. She is also highly inquisitive, which could get her into even more trouble then that.

Meanwhile, Mark comes into Meadowlands with more problems then anyone in the bunch. Mark suffers from high functioning autism, ODD, and a host of other problems that make him an instantly interesting character. In the beginning Mark seems unstable, but its possible Meadowlands could change that. However, whether that would be for the better or worse is unseen in the first few episodes.

The rules of Meadowlands are simple. Once you move into town you are only what you are in Meadowlands. The outside world does not exist and never did. It’s safer that way, for everyone. Of course, this foundation of lies can be hard to live with and as secrets unfold, problems within the community are sure to arise.

Meadowlands offers a town without crime and the option of reinvention to every person. In fact, it’s not an option. It is a requirement. So, while it is interesting that this family has the ability to choose who they are it also becomes unchartered territory as being who they have always been is off limits. This leaves the family in a place of reconstruction and confusion. It becomes hard remembering who you were as you reinvent who you are allowed to be for your own good.

As you would expect, the neighbors play a significant role in Meadowlands. The cast of characters is certainly diverse and almost shocking. It is obvious that these people were all brought to Meadowlands for a purpose because you cannot imagine some of them living in the same area. The town is complete with a police officer, doctor, and other professionals. There truly is no need to leave the town, not that any of them would, due to their own personal circumstances.

Some of the most memorable characters, beyond the main family, include Brenda Ogilvie, the neighbor of the Brogan family, and her slightly disillusioned though pretty daughter, Jezebel, the police officer, Bernard Wintersgill, and the doctor and his wife, David and Abigail York. Jack Donnelly seems to be the one in the town with the most secrets and the ability to become the most unstable.

You immediately love or hate the characters. If nothing else you are intrigued by them. You have a need to know, especially with some of them, what they did to get invited to Meadowlands, and when or if they will crack and reveal their secrets to anyone else.

You can expect amazing performances all around from the actors in this original series. David Morrissey puts in an excellent performance as Danny Brogan. Harry Treadaway, while new to me, has shown through his portrayal of Mark. He has a bright future in acting should he want one. Lucy Cohu (Evelyn Brogan) and Felicity Jones (Zoe Brogan) also put in necessary and outstanding performances as the confused, strong, and often bewildered women of the house.

Melanie Hill and Ella Smith play mother and daughter, as the Ogilvies next door. You can expect entertaining and even bothersome (in a good way) performances by both. Additionally, Emma Davies (Abigail York) wins the prize for the potential serial killer performance of the year. While the in character Mrs. York is not necessarily a killer, her performance is disturbing as the wife with secrets in and out of Meadowlands, who seems quiet until prompted with facts that were not meant to be known by anyone but her. The rest of the cast is similarly stellar as they all blend and work well together creating a town meant to be heaven, but that resembles hell quite easily.

Bottom Line: Meadowlands is set to be the second half of 2007’s show that you don’t want to miss. If you enjoy a good thriller and like to attempt to solve mysteries this is certainly the show for you though the writing is good enough and the holes are few enough that you might be left, curiously wondering what is going to happen next. As always, Showtime offers a new and excellent series that looks like it may be around for quite awhile.

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