"Hostages" debuted on CBS on Monday, Sept. 23 at 10 p.m. The title seems self-explanatory, but the plot is much more complex than you would think. The show opens with a family of four watching television until it's suddenly turned off, and they are surrounded by four masked individuals. After the opening credits, we learn of the mother Dr. Ellen Sanders, played by Toni Collette.
The opening details the importance Dr. Sanders has as the surgeon performing a routine, but still tricky, procedure on the President of the United States.
Throughout the pilot, we learn of the lackluster relationship Ellen has with her husband Brian, played by Tate Donovan, and the issues surrounding her children Morgan and Jake, played by Quinn Shephard and Mateus Ward.
We also are introduced to FBI agent Duncan Carlisile, portrayed by Dylan McDermott, who masterfully ends a dangerous situation at a bank.
He seems like a hero until we learn he's actually the mastermind behind the Sanders family's hostage crisis.
Carlisle wants Sanders to murder the president while performing his surgery, and he's using her family as leverage.
If you've seen the commercials this is predictable, but the premise is still enthralling.
With every scene, every character leaves you pondering what is going on in their heads.
The series looks promising as the cast and storyline are constantly leaving you to question their motives.
The cast is stellar, and considering that most have done outstanding performances in previous projects, they're likely to continue to be as entertaining in the coming weeks. Still, just how long can the Sanders' hostage situation really play out?
The pilot ended with a shocking twist, so it certainly should be interesting to see what happens next. If you missed the pilot, watch it on CBS.com and catch it weekly on Mondays at 10 p.m. You won't be disappointed.
Gloryeanne Lindenmuth can be reached at gloryeanne.lindenmuth@student.shu.edu.
