"The Nevers" Premiere Review: Girl Power In Victorian England

HBO's newest sci fi/fantasy offering is "The Nevers". It was originally created, written, directed and executive produced by Joss Whedon (among others). He has since exited the project-- in part due to accusations of verbal abuse from Charisma Carpenter (Buffy The Vampire Slayer) and Ray Fisher (Justice League).

The first six episodes are either currently available or will be soon. Part 2 (consisting of six more episodes) will be released at a later date. "The Nevers" is described as "an epic science fiction drama about a gang of Victorian women who find themselves with unusual abilities, relentless enemies and a mission that might change the world".OK then...sounds like it might be my kinda show.

The premiere sets up the basic plot and characters. "The Touched", as they are referred to by others, are mostly women and mostly members of the lower class. They are rejected by their families for their "turns" (ie special powers). So they already have a lot going against them.

During the premiere we meet:

Amalia True (Laura Donnelly)- She has some mad fighting skills and can see glimpses of the future. She runs St Romaulda's Orphanage which takes in many of the metahumans.
Penance Adair (Ann Skelly)- A genius inventor and Mrs True's bestie. She can "see" electrical energy.
Horation Cousens (Dulfi Al-Jabouri)- A doctor that works at the orphanage and helps patch up the women after their various escapades with his healing power.
Maladie (Amy Manson)- a "Jill The Ripper" type. Londoners live in fear of her.
Bonfire/Annie Carbey (Rochelle Neil)- She hangies with Maladie and can generated balls of fire.
Lavinia Bidlow (Olivia Williams)- she is a supporter of the orphanage where many of the super charged live.
Augie Bidlow (Tom Riley)- He is Lavinia's brother and a bit odd.
Mary Brighton (Eleanor Tomlinson)- A singer, we meet her at the opera.
Declan Orrun (Nick Frost)- Called the Beggar King. He's the head of a group of London criminals, sometimes he helps The Nevers and sometimes he doesnt.
Hugo Swann (James Norton)- Lord Swann is a bohemian aristocrat who owns a sex club. I'm sure we'll see los more from him later.
Lord Massen (Pip Torrens)- A member of the upper class who doesnt want their position threatened by the Touched's powers.
Dr Edmund Hague (Denis O'Hare)- A baddie doctor who is apparently experimenting on the touched.
Inspector Frank Mundi (Ben Chaplin)- A police officer trying to bring Maladie to justice.

Grade: 4 1/2 Monsters (out of 5). "The Nevers" is off to a good start with it's Victorian setting, compelling characters, cool tech, and various mysteries. Have we seen a ragtime group of people with special powers join together to fight evil? Yes, many times. But who care?. The premiere was a lot of fun. I cant wait to see where the story leads.