Kristin Kreuk’s new murder mystery seriesMurder in a Small Townbroke a romance network TV trope that’s been overdone. Best known for her decade-long stint inSmallville,the actor plays Cassandra Lee in Fox’s new procedural series. Kreuk’s starring role puts her oppositeTrench 11’s Rossif Sutherland, who plays Chief of Police Karl Alberg. The series was adapted from a series of mystery books by L. R. Wright and has promising aspects despite not being the flashiest or most dramatic program on TV.
One of the most endearing qualities ofMurder in a Small Townis that it subverts expectations of theTV police proceduralwithout trying to be something it isn’t. One of the main ways the series does this is in its focal romance between Kreuk’s Cassandra character and Sutherland’s Alberg, which completely disregards an overused romance trope. Instead,Murder in a Small Townoffers a romance that is genuine and realistic.
Murder In A Small Town Breaks The Will They/Won’t They Romantic Trope
The Will They/Won’t They Romantic Trope Has Been Done So Many Times
The second episode ofMurder in a Small Townmakes it clear the series was ditching thewill they/won’t they romance storylinecommonly overused on network TV. Instead,Karl and Cassandra dove into their romance head-firstin the pilot episode without much controversy. The characters had their first date early on in episode 1, meeting at a local diner in the small town after finding each other on a dating app. Throughout the outing’s remainder, Karl and Cassandra organically developed their romance. By episode 2, the couple’s relationship is still going strong.
It appears thatMurder in a Small Townwill let Karl and Cassandra’s relationship progress instead, with other factors driving the narrative forward.
Based on expectations set by network TV, Fox’s series could have rescinded the romance in the second episode.Karl and Cassandra could have faced complications over their disagreementin the pilotabout George, and it could have spiraled into a romance where it was unclear how they felt. Employing that storyline could keep viewers hooked on the series, tuning in to figure out how the relationship plays out, but that can be a cheap tactic. It appears thatMurder in a Small Townwill let Karl and Cassandra’s relationship progress instead, with other factors driving the narrative forward.
How Karl & Cassandra’s Established Romance Drives The Story Of Murder In A Small Town
Karl And Cassandra’s Developing Romance Is Karl’s Superpower
Rather than moving the series forward with the will they/won’t they trope,Murder in a Small Townhas opted to drive the plot forward with the character’s healthy, established relationship. Something is endearing and fresh about their romance. Both characters admit to being flawed, and watching them open up to one another feels like watching a real relationship progress. While it is not dramatic or tense, it’s relatable. The couple faced a few bumps in the second episode but makeup by the credits, not letting them complicate what they have.
Murder in a Small Townairs on Fox on Tuesdays at 8 pm Eastern.
While Karl comes from a big city, Cassandra is embedded in the community. She connects deeply to the local crowd and has insider information about its residents.Cassandra aids Karl’s investigationswith her local connections and knowledge, and while she doesn’t necessarily investigate with Karl, she’s just a phone call away. This makes her equally pivotal to the procedural aspect ofMurder in a Small Townbeyond being just a love interest.
Murder in a Small Town
Cast
Detective Karl Alberg moves to a peaceful coastal town to recover from the emotional toll of big-city police work. However, a series of mysterious murders shatters the town’s tranquility. Alberg must rely on his investigative skills to uncover secrets buried in this seemingly idyllic community, as danger continues to surface.
