Watch Death Valley
- TV-14
- 2011
- 1 Season
-
7.7 (5,526)
Death Valley is a mockumentary-style horror-comedy television show that takes place in the hot and dusty area of San Fernando Valley, where a police force with an unconventional mission must deal with supernatural beings and monsters that roam the streets. The show revolves around the members of the UTF (Undead Task Force), a newly formed division of the LAPD, who are tasked with investigating and neutralizing supernatural crimes in Los Angeles. The show is filled with witty, often over-the-top humor, and features a cast of eccentric characters who are as mismatched as they are unlikely. At the heart of it all is the team's captain, Frank Dashell (played by Bryan Callen), who is charmingly clueless and believes that he's the best cop around. His incompetence is somewhat balanced out by his hot-headed, wisecracking partner, Billy Pierce (Charlie Sanders), who is a human possessed by a vampire. The team's other members include John "John-John" Johnson (Bryce Johnson), a newly turned vampire trying to balance his human and vampiric instincts; Carla Rinaldi (Tania Raymonde), a tough-as-nails detective who is the only human on the force; and Officer Kirsten Landry (Caity Lotz), a lethal and stoic young woman who is secretly a werewolf. The show's format is similar to that of popular mockumentary-style series such as The Office and Parks and Recreation, in that the characters frequently break the fourth wall and speak directly to the camera. This allows for plenty of humorous asides and the opportunity for characters to comment on each other's antics. Perhaps one of the show's most entertaining elements is the variety of supernatural beings that the UTF deals with on a daily basis. From zombies to werewolves to vampires, the team is constantly battling creatures that seem like they've been ripped straight out of a B-horror movie. And while the show certainly doesn't take itself too seriously, it does manage to create a surprisingly believable world where mundane police work is often interrupted by supernatural occurrences. One of the standout performances on the show comes from Caity Lotz, who plays Officer Kirsten Landry. Lotz is able to convey a great deal of intensity and brooding angst without ever losing her sense of humor. Her character's werewolf transformation scenes are also particularly impressive, and the show does an excellent job of creating believable special effects without ever taking itself too seriously. Overall, Death Valley is a fast-paced and entertaining show that manages to cleverly blend horror and comedy in a way that is rarely seen on television. While it may not be everyone's cup of tea, those who are fans of horror-comedy and mockumentary-style shows will likely find plenty to enjoy here. The show may have only run for one season, but it's certainly left a lasting impression on those who watched it.