Rise
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The pilot ofRisewas really, really rocky.
It introduced us to a protagonist who were supposed to root for, but who is insufferable.
It short-changed many of the characters it was trying to endear to us.
It didnt even do a great job introducingSpring Awakening.
I was really hoping episode two would be better!
Its not, or at least not much.
The football coach likes him!
Maybe football will … fix him?
Lou ceding ground is exactly where the rest of the show is weak.
Still, Im not sure that the Gordy story belongs here.
Theres so much excess, and some of it needs to be jettisoned!
And Casey Johnson also does a nice turn as Gordy, all curling lip and downcast eyelines.
Everywhere else, though, things are still messy.
SurelyRiseis on Miss Wolfes side, right?
Youre gonna need me, Mr. Mazzu, she says.
Of course he needs her!
He doesnt know stage left from stage right, and he doesnt even think thats a problem!
How is this show on his side?!
He broke a students spirit and now she can sing well!
Great work, Mr. Mazzu.
But then Lilette sees him kiss another girl and she runs away, crushed.
Simon, whofor sureis not gay, asks Annabelle/Barbout on a date (because: not gay).
I just cant get over the sense thatRisecould click, if only everything about Radnors Lou Mazzuchelli were different.
I want you to pull it together so badly!
hey dont make me pull outthe Tyra GIF.
Except the production cant decide whether to play it as Totally Effed, or Totally .
Mr. Mazzuchellis name is still in flux, and Im still very here for it.
Mr. Mizzu, Mr. Maz its all over the board.
What does it say when your co-workers of almost two decades cant even land on a solid nickname?
