Beware of What is Out There In The River

Who knew the Amazon could be so creepy. Paranormal Activity fans get ready because you definitely don't want to miss this ABC Network Show. ABC "The River" is one of the new midseason shows that is already getting huge buzz over. The Alamo Drafthouse in Austin, Tx had a special advance preview of the 2-hour episode that will air on Feb 7 and got huge round of applause. So what is in stored? Is this a new "Lost"?

The shows premise revolves around a famous and loved Explorer, Emmet Cole who mysteriously went missing during one of his explorations. His wife Tess and his son Lincoln, are left behind with questions involving his disappearance  and are ready to go out to the Amazon and find the truth behind his . A documentary crew has gone with them to film everything and most of the shots were filmed documented style. They find his abandon ship where he was last seen and immeditely there are already paranomal occurances happening. Could it being Emmet?

In the first hour you meet all of the main characters. There are no familiar faces so the audience is introduced to a wide range variety of actors. As they are searching through the ship, they realize there are spirits that seem to have control over them. Just like paranormal activity, the camera shots are documented and are fast forward during the night. It will keep you on the edge of your seat as Tess and Lincoln desperately try and talk to the spirit asking if Emmet is still alive. The shaky camera angles and the amazon set is sure enough to get your heart beating faster as you are watching. The first hour does an increditble job drawing you in.

The second hour goes more in dept with the father/son relationship Emmet and Lincoln have. What I loved was some of the scenes were just like most of the flashback scenes from another ABC show "Revenge" Its very retro and there are some key elements in the flashback scenes that come full circle in the present. The second hour involves more of the spirit coming alive, and letting them know for a fact Emmet is out there. Of course what wouldn't be a television show if it didn't have some kind of romance, right? The second hour starts setting up the potential romantic relationship between Lincoln and his longtime friend and daughter of Emmet's cameraman, who is also missing, Lenna. The flashback scenes include there relationship as kids and how it affects there connection today. 

The River has been defined as the new "Lost" which at the same time i have to agree with that statement. What is different about this is the episodes are more like mini-movies, which the ABC President said at the Television Critics Association Winter Press Tour last week. If done correctly it should have a great premier and draw the attention to the 18-49 demo. It has a great chance at a full season pickup for the Fall 2012 season.

The 2-hour Premier of "The River" airs Tuesday February 7 9/8c