Lone Star - Pilot, 1.01

I flew Virgin America to Boston a few days ago, and they had the Lone Star pilot available to view before it airs Sept 20 on FOX. I figured it couldn't hurt to check out this show because it has Jon Voigt in it (which makes it vaguely credible, right?) and I had ample time. I'm going to watch as many fall pilots as I can (I'm excited for Terriers tonight, and Undercovers and Running Wilde in a couple weeks) to test them out, but I expect to drop 90% of them after the first couple episodes.

Lone Star features a charming Kyle Chandler look-alike as lead. He's a con man like his controlling father. He leads two lives though his father advises him against getting attached to anything. Protag considers his double (triple?) life, daddy issues, and women he loves, and decides to come clean by legitimately making back the money he's conned. The pilot offers a nice set-up to a surely dramatic season, as now former con man protagonist attempts to go straight in business, but juggle two relationships at once. Cute. Safe. If I didn't know this was a FOX show, I would've guessed USA.

I've been watching too much Friday Night Lights recently (Adrienne Palicki is in both shows, fun fact), and Lone Star pales in comparison where ambience is concerned. I believe I'm in Texas when I watch FNL. When I watched the Lone Star pilot, at first I thought I was in a Los Angeles suburb. Use more establishing shots, please. But I guess not all Texas-based shows can be absolutely fantastic!

Thoughts about the music choices:

• Rogue Wave – Eyes. Used over a lovey bedroom scene; protagonist loves his Texan wife. It was also used in Heroes twice. Nostalgic and romantic, in an indie way.
• Mumford & Sons – The Cave. Used over protag con man montage; they don't just TELL you he's a con man, look, they SHOW you too! It's empty in the valley of your heart. Aw, he's not heartless, he just does slimy business, see. But most importantly, it's twangy and hence must be southern and Texan and stuff, right? One good thing I'll say -- the song's momentum feels like it's going somewhere; it really propels the montage.
• Music choices saying, "We’re current and youthful." A lot of Mumford & Sons. Even though they're Londoners. But it's okay, they play banjos that are twangy.
• Mumford & Sons – Little Lion Man. Over more con man business. I really fucked it up this time, didn't I my dear?
• Cold War Kids - Hang Me Up To Dry. Used when he returns to his blonde. I'm not positive it was the CWK version, it may have been a twangier cover.
• Some Elliot Smith-like music. Some Bon Iver-like music. Couldn't identify either.
• Mumford & Sons – Awake My Soul. Tyra confronts protag with serious business.

C-. Try harder. I get that not all Texas shows can be scored by Explosions in the Sky, but don't be so basic please. I'm feeling kind of bitchy tonight.