Yeah, I’ll admit it — I’ve been checking out Fox’s new show, Drive. Wanna make something of it?
I know, I know, it has a really cheesy premise — people are roped into participating in an illegal, no-rules, cross-country road race, for a prize of $32 million. It’s big on the action, and low on the character development. But it’s actually pretty fun to watch. So far, there’s only been three episodes but it’s a fun way to waste away an hour. I gave it a try due to lingering goodwill towards Nathan Fillon, ex-star of Joss Whedon’s fabulous show Firefly, which I adored. Also, it has a lot in common with this other reality/game show that Sir Monkeypants has been watching, called Bullrun, which is an actual cross-country road race for a measly prize of $200 000.
Anyway, Drive has potential and I’m liking it. But one major complaint I have about the show is in regards to the opening credits. I’ve complained a lot in the past about the lack of opening credit sequences for TV shows these days, along with the accompanying lack of cool theme songs. It’s a little sad. So I’m happy that Drive attempts to at least have an opening credits sequence. The sequence, however, has some serious flaws in that it gives away spoilers about the show. Doh!
The credits flash from car to car, showing each car driver/passenger in closeup, with the actor’s name underneath. It looks fast and flashy, but the problem is that it a) shows people in cars that they are not currently members of, and b) shows people in cars that are currently not yet on the show. For example, there’s a father-daughter team, and the father is dying of some sort of terminal disease. The father is played by Dylan Baker, who is a “guest star” in every episode so far, while the opening credits show his daughter, played by Emma Stone, riding in the back seat of another team’s car. Sooooo…any guesses as to what will happen in the next few episodes? Anyone?
Several other cars in the opening credits show a mixed-up set of characters. Sigh. It was such a nice idea…but, in the end, only annoying.
TurtleHead 
I watched me some Drive too, and I liked it. I guess it’s one of those shows you don’t go in expecting much from, so it’s hard to be disappointed.
Nathan Fillon proves he’s cool even when not wearing a brown coat, but we always knew that, right? I loved the end of episode 3 just to see that tiny smile as he did what the show implies, and drove.
And I’ve always liked Kristin Lehman, for reasons I can’t quite pin down.
And I had the exact same reaction as you to the title sequence. A bit of “what the hell?” going on. At least they have a title, though. Too many shows are going with simple title card these days.
I also reacted poorly to the “previously on” bit at the beginning of episode 3, where they recorded new voice-overs of the characters describing their own little bits. A neat idea, but it didn’t work for me.
But still, all in all, I’ll keep watching. Like you said: it’s fun.
(P.S. You know this show was created by Tim Minear, who worked with Whedon on Angel and Firefly. There’s a reason why some of Fillon’s character in this sometimes sounds like Mal, and it’s not all Fillon’s delivery.)
Oooooh, the previouslys DID have new voice overs! I’m glad to have that confirmed — I just thought I’d had this weird brain freeze and blacked out during part of the premiere.
And good to know about Tim Minear. I’ll have to keep an eye on his career from now on. I notice Amy Acker (who played Fred on Angel) is playing Nathan Fillon’s kidnapped wife — possibly more Angel and Firefly folks will show up, which would make me so happy :).