Level Up

As a novel Robinson Crusoe is a classic of eighteenth century literature. Its style, wit and popularity in its own time was astounding. In its first year it ran through fourth editions and within a few years it had become one of the most widely read books in the English language. Its success was nearly unprecedented. It stands to reason then, that a TV show based upon the book would at least have an outside chance at becoming successful. Unfortunately, I’m concerned that poor scripts and bad execution might ruin a good idea and a classic story. Last weeks insanely long two-hour premiere did nothing to talk me down from the ledge.

This week’s episode kicks off with a dream. Friday is following a woman who points to a spot on the horizon, but when she turns she has a skull instead of a face. Friday is seriously upset about what this dreams means, not surprisingly, Crusoe isn’t. Later, while trying to unclog the spring the pair gets its fresh water from, Crusoe loses his wedding ring in the crack of a rock. Using what seems to be an unending supply of gun powder, they blow a hole in the rock face and out of the newly freed spring an odd box emerges. Venturing into the cave the explosion revealed the two discover markings and cave painting. Friday clearly believes that there is a link between the creepy skull woman and the box. Despite Friday’s fears, the two open the box. Inside is a skull who Friday insists belongs to his dream woman. Friday looks into the spooky cave for clues and concludes that the skull in the box was a human sacrifice and he has been charged by her spirit to set her at peace. Despite his reservations, Crusoe agrees to give his old friend a helping hand.

Moving through hidden caves and catacombs the two come across the remnants of an advanced tribe. The tribe had built a complex irrigation system that the intrepid pair must navigate Indiana Jones style. For me this is the fun of the show, two friends bantering while walking across a canal less than a foot wide suspended hundred of feet in the air. Eventually discovering the skull woman’s tomb. It too requires some puzzle elements to unlock it. This episode seems to get more and more like a video game every step of the way. After unlocking the box, the discover the skeletal remains of the skull woman. Again in true video game fashion, as soon as the puzzle is finished, the two are cornered by a pack of vicious dogs. Friday and Crusoe flee for their lives back into the dilapidated irrigation system. Using their superior primate brains, they escape to the beach setting the spirit of the skull woman loose in the ocean completing their quest. In the final scene Crusoe discovers his lost wedding ring in the drinking water, a last gift from the skull woman.

As usual throughout we see continuing flashbacks of Crusoe’s idealized life in England. We see his wedding day and the shadowy “godfather” who seems to be shaping Crusoe’s pre-marooned life. After the wedding it becomes clear that his new father in law doesn’t approve of his daughter’s choice to marry Crusoe assumably because of his families commitment to republicanism. Later, after the death of the king he asks his godfather to extend his loans. He agrees but is concerned about the debts he’s accumulating. There continues to be some ominous foreshadowing every time the godfather is brought into the scene. Its a building narrative that could really use more attention.