In March of last year NBC launched a new, glittery, high-production (spent $10 million just on the pilot!) show that was profiled by Time, NPR, and widely acclaimed by critics... and you've probably never heard of it. It was called Kings and lasted only one season.
Why so short?
Well, I wasn't in the country to see it, but apparently the promos were terrible, and I can imagine that the premise--a modern retelling of the Biblical tale of David--didn't appeal to many. (Why Christian audiences didn't seem to tune in either is still a mystery.) It's a damn shame, too, since the show was actually original, well-produced, and very intelligent. Not to mention that Ian McShane's performance as King Silas (Saul) is one of the best prime time TV has seen in a loooong while. Also, the dialogue is at times casual and modern, and at others almost Shakespearean in its language, which might turn others off but which I adored for the fact that it assumed the audience could handle monologues more intelligent than something spouted by Spicoli (not that we don't all love Fast Times at Ridgemont High, but still...) In fact, much of the show has a Shakespearean feel, with highly potent symbolism running through the whole series while juxtaposed against the shiny New York-esque background of the capital city, Shiloh. Some might not think the balance is that well achieved between the ancient and modern, but I happen to think it works. And even if you don't agree, you have to give the show brownie points for ambition and scope.
Be all that as it may, it was something else that happened while I watched the show that gave me reason to ramble on about it here. I noticed that, episode after episode, the fashions I was seeing on the characters (from over a year ago!) were reflected in the new trends I was seeing pop up in stores. From the princess' 80's style waist pleats now in the Jean Paul Gaultier dresses at Target, to the bilateral ruffles on Katrina's dresses that are now all over H&M, to the prince's narrow, buttoned dress shirt collars which I just saw last week at Urban Outfitters!
Ok, so maybe the show wasn't 'forward' in an edgy, pushing-the-envelope kind of way, but it did a damn good job of being ahead of the curve. Moreover, a lot of these new trends don't look good on everyone, so what was even more impressive was the fact that designer Daniel Lawson costumed each cast member in the most flattering style for their size and type--and character for that matter. Even if the styles had not been right on the pulse of what's up and coming (and they were, though subtly), the fashion would still have you itching for your own royal tailor.
It's just the icing on the cake of what's already a stellar show. Too bad no one noticed it when it was actually on the air.
