Finding Carter

Most of the "Tween Show" offerings from networks like CW, ABC Family, and the worst offender, Disney are so lame and contrived they insult one's intelligence and assault the senses like cold, moldy oatmeal.

This new show is a delight! With a perfect blend of drama and laugh out loud comedy, it portrays the ebb and tide of real world emotions in a clever and fresh new outlook I have only seen on shows like House MD or NYPD Blue.

Moving from dark angst to teenage pranks, sometimes in the same scene: The food court scene from the pilot episode in the mall is hilarious black humor. I won't delve into the plot, others have already covered the storyline.

I ill say that writing is phenomenal, the direction, fast paced and clever, the casting is spot on and their performances amazing.

I am not a youngster, I am in my fifties and thoroughly loved the first three episodes and watching the characters and their complex relationships develop.

Parents who are uncomfortable with real world, teenage drug use, drinking and sexual behaviors may find this show offensive. Then send your kids to a lock down Mormon Academy in Provo, because we behaved like that in the 1970's, my daughter did in the 1990's and my grand daughter does now. This is the real world of teenage, pain, drama, laughter,joy and real risk.

How they learn.

Very well done show, kudos to MTV and all the cast and crew, for producing a fun, edgy program. Particularly when it would be far too easy to follow this genre into the oatmeal bowl of boredom.

The idea behind the show is brilliant - but that's all that it was. The rest was garbage...

First of all - the kids are constantly unsupervised with unlimited alcohol, drugs, and sex.

Second - a 17 yr old is planning an underground after hours illegal party, fully equipped with security, DJ, lights, sounds, etc?

Her 15 yr old (former) foster brother has all of the computers and equipment to run credit card scams and create fake ID's...

Meanwhile, mom and dad are openly cheating on each other, and it's alright because they each are cheating...

Who wrote this pile of garbage? Don't waste your time - plus season 2 ends in a giant cliff hanger, and the show was canceled, so it's left undone....

Carter Stevens (Kathryn Prescott) is shocked with the discovery that her mother Lori (Milena Govich) is actually her abductor. Carter was born Lyndon Wilson to Elizabeth (Cynthia Watros) and David Wilson (Alexis Denisof). Her birth family includes fraternal twin Taylor (Anna Jacoby-Heron) and younger brother Grant (Zac Pullam). Max (Alex Saxon) is an old friend from her life with Lori who falls for Taylor.

This is a great concept. The idea is heart-breaking and full of potential. After the pilot, I was ready to give it an eight. This is why I wait for serial TV shows to end before doing a review. This show takes some crazy and horrible turns. First thing first, I thought Megan Prescott would play Kathryn's fraternal twin. I'm guessing Megan has quit acting. It's too bad because they were great in Skins. Her new TV family struck me as being wrong. Taylor looks so different from Carter. That basic problem leads the show down a rabbit hole of bad convoluted writing. After finding Carter, I would think it's standard procedure to do a DNA test. None of the writing about her origin makes any sense. So the overarching concept turns from a great original idea into a unmitigated mess.

As for the teen melodrama, I love Max. He is the only character worth rooting for. Taylor and him is the only compelling couple. Carter simply has horrible taste in boys. None of them are interesting. One can see the douche in them right from the start. It makes Carter look bad. It becomes a chore to care about her relationships. At first, I though the show was setting Max up as her longterm relationship. I'm fine with Max going with Taylor. That leaves Carter with an empty spot that is never filled.

I am usually not a fan of these types of shows but lately there has just not been anything interesting on so I decided to give it a try and was hooked after the first 10 minutes!! This show is Interesting, it has a really great plot and most importantly it holds my attention throughout and I like the characters as well. Also love how the scenes are not drawn out. Everything is to the point and It is easy to follow...full of drama, romance and suspense. Really hoping this show goes far and isn't cancelled after one season like everything else that is good out there. I hope this is recognized for being different with potential to be even greater.

With so many shows coming out, I often find myself thinking that they all feel very similar. Especially the dramas seem one-sided, with clear-cut characters and predictable plots. This was not the case with Finding Carter. The characters portrayed are complex and conflicted, nevertheless I found myself able to empathise with every character on the show, maybe not sympathising with their behaviour, but definitely understanding it.

The premise guarantees interesting character interaction, as well as diametrically different points of view that situations can be looked at. It is difficult to achieve believability when trying to show this on screen, but this show managed to do this quite well.

The acting was surprisingly decent, especially from the main lead and the Wilson family. I say surprisingly, because more often than not, in features involving a young cast, acting is a problem. Alex Saxon and Jesse Henderson as the male love interests, were far from good in my opinion, but overall the cast was doing a fine job; even the little brother was believable, which could have been the biggest worry.

Even though I initially watched it because of my younger sister, I still look forward to the next episode. Especially the subtle hint, that there is more to the whole kidnapping story, keeps me interested. I hope the show keeps up the realism, despite the complex premise.