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Three Penny Press

The student news site of Bellaire High School

Three Penny Press

The student news site of Bellaire High School

Three Penny Press

TV Review: ‘Enlisted’ shows charming promise but faces an uphill battle

Courtesy of fox.com
Courtesy of fox.com

“Enlisted” is a new Fox comedy about three brothers in the military. After punching a senior officer in Afghanistan, the oldest Pete (Geoff Stults) is demoted and sent back to the Florida military base that his brothers Derrick (Chris Lowell) and Randy (Parker Young) are stationed on.

The brothers are likeable and play off each other well. Derrick is sarcastic and cynical, while Randy is his opposite, being overly-enthusiastic and sensitive. Randy is slow, but he is not the typical “dumb character” inserted into every Disney Channel sitcom in attempt to get laughs. Young is particular is a standout of the cast and is perfect for the role. Pete is also a likeable main character even though he is cocky and thinks he’s too good to be there.

Pete is assigned to lead platoon of misfit soldiers including his brothers. There are so many other characters in the platoon that his brothers get lost among characters who have nothing interesting to say, or make the viewer wonder “why would they join the military?”

The only main female character is another sergeant with her own platoon. She immediately does not get along with Pete, but she later apologizes for her behavior.  It is obvious that they will have the show’s “will they won’t they” relationship all sitcoms seem to think is necessary to keep the viewer watching. It would be less cliche if Pete and a female superior or equal were close, platonic friends who have a respect for each other like Liz Lemon and Jack Donaghy of “30 Rock” or Leslie Knope and Ron Swanson of “Parks and Recreation”.

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Serious situations like punching a superior are not meant to be taken seriously, but the show maintains it’s comedic tone even when Pete is in a warzone. There are some touching moments and some funny lines but the show has a bad time slot- Fridays at 9:30. There is the possibility of the show being cancelled after a few episodes but hopefully Stults, Lowell and Young will get a better platform to showcase their talents.

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