'CBS' new show is awful. Torture-porn. Violent. It shows stalking happen and explores stalking cases. We aren't given character development in the first 5 minutes. How exploitative and damaging! Why does this show hate women?!'
These are just some of the comments taken from reading multiple negative reviews of Kevin Williamson-written new series Stalker this morning. In fact, I've only actually seen one journalist who enjoyed the premiere episode. Everyone else literally hates everything about the show. Why? Because it does exactly what it says on the tin.
In the United States alone, 6.6 million people are stalked in a single year. Stalking is a very real problem. We see news stories week in, week out of acid attacks, obsession that turns into something much bleaker and even those that reflect what goes on in Stalker's opening scene - crazed partners setting their 'loved' ones on fire.
Why should a new project be punished for exploring a whole new side to that? Crime happens. It is a part of society. Are critics getting on their high horse simply because it was a woman first killed and not a man? Many fail to mention there's also a male case involved in the show. It's not the main storyline being followed, but it's there. Present, and reflective of the one in six women and one in 19 men who are victims of stalking. This isn't using women as a tool to further advance itself, it's simply using research from actual real-life statistics, and portraying that on-screen.
Stalker is by no means perfect. It can be a little dangerous making the audience relate to Dylan McDermott's character - who is himself a stalker. We do however have an attempt at a balancing act with our other lead - played by Maggie Q - a woman who is tough on the exterior but is herself a victim of stalking. We recognise her vulnerability and come to the realisation that obsession is a very human trait, but one that can cross a line. And the lines aren't always as clear as day.
Bottom line - this is a show that needs some work but again, isn't a show that's promoting violence against women. It's instead showing that violence against women is a very real thing. Violence against men, too. Stalking is a wide open taboo that's hardly talked about and can bend and twist in many different ways.
So take Stalker for what it is, and you may even find yourself enjoying it. A new crime drama that's supposed to get you thinking and have you on the edge of your seat. Sensationalisation included? Absolutely - this is after all a pilot episode. Stick with it and give it a chance. If you're still thinking the same in a few weeks, then maybe it's not for you. My mind might have changed by then also.
Stalker continues Wednesdays at 10pm on CBS.