The Hunting Party has all the makings of a potential hit. With a gripping premise at its core, it follows Bex Henderson (Melissa Roxburgh), a profiler tasked with tracking down dangerous serial killers who have escaped from The Pit, a mysterious, secret prison that no one even knew existed.
Right from the start, The Hunting Party delivers a strong and engaging pilot, offering a blend of intriguing character dynamics, high stakes, and plenty of twists. It’s clear that this show has something special, especially as it introduces Bex’s first case — profiling Richard Harris, a notorious serial killer thought to have been executed years ago. The fact that he’s not dead, and that he, along with other dangerous criminals, has escaped from this underground, top-secret prison, sets the stage for a lot of suspense and mystery.
What impressed me most about the first episode was how the show doesn’t waste any time in pulling the audience in. The twists come fast and unexpected, which kept me on my toes. The way the show weaves in Bex’s backstory — how she discovered her talent for profiling at 15 when she uncovered a local serial killer — made me immediately invested in her character. The personal stakes are what really elevate The Hunting Party above typical procedurals. Bex isn’t just investigating cases for the sake of the job; she’s driven by a personal need to save these victims, especially as she grapples with the traumatic history of her first case involving Harris.
I was genuinely intrigued by how Harris' backstory is revealed, particularly the insight into his childhood abuse. His choice of victims — women who resembled his mother — added an unsettling layer to his character and motivations. The episode also brilliantly uses Harris as a way to explore Bex’s own emotional turmoil, especially as she starts to unravel his psychology. This personal connection is what makes the case feel more meaningful, and it reminded me that the best procedurals are the ones that don’t just focus on the crime but also delve into the detectives’ emotional stakes.
The pilot also does an excellent job of introducing the supporting characters, particularly Shane Florence (Josh McKenzie) and Jacob Hassani (Patrick Sabongui). Their contrasting personalities immediately set the stage for some compelling team dynamics. While Shane is eager to help, given his knowledge of the prison and its inmates, Jacob is more cautious and secretive. Watching their interactions unfold was both tense and fascinating, as Jacob’s cryptic warnings to Shane about Bex being an outsider gave me the impression that there’s something darker lurking beneath the surface of their mission.
One of the best moments in the pilot was when Shane, in a rare moment of vulnerability, hints at the dark experiments conducted on the prisoners in The Pit. This revelation adds an even deeper layer of mystery to the story and really made me wonder what the true purpose of the prison was. I’m excited to see how the show explores this aspect further, especially as Bex digs into the secrets of the prison and its inmates.
Then came the huge twist — Nicole Weston, a woman Bex saved from Harris’s clutches, was revealed to be the mastermind behind the murders all along. I definitely didn’t see that coming! It completely flipped the narrative on its head and left me questioning everything I thought I knew about the case. This twist also highlights how the show balances its procedural elements with larger, ongoing mysteries, which I love. It’s not just about catching the bad guy each week; it’s about uncovering the deeper, more sinister secrets at play.
But what really struck me on a personal level was the relationship between Bex and her former partner, Oliver Odell (Nick Wechsler). Their complicated history adds a lot of emotional depth to the show, particularly as we learn about the traumatic event that caused their split. Oliver’s morally questionable actions, like interrogating a suspect so ruthlessly that he set him on fire, left me wondering whether Bex can ever fully trust him again. There’s so much tension between them, and the fact that Oliver is now involved with the secretive prison only makes things more complicated. I found myself equally frustrated and intrigued by their relationship, which makes me even more invested in their journey.
The episode ends with Bex and Oliver in an unresolved, tense place, and I’m curious to see how their relationship will develop moving forward. The cliffhanger also left me questioning Jacob’s true motives, especially after his cryptic comments about the prison break being no accident. It’s clear that there’s more to The Pit than meets the eye, and I’m eager to see how deep this conspiracy goes.
As much as I enjoyed the twisty mystery of the week with Richard Harris, it’s the interpersonal dynamics and overarching secrets that make The Hunting Party interesting. The team’s chemistry — especially Bex’s complicated relationships with Shane, Jacob, and Oliver — adds so much depth to the story. There’s a real sense of tension and emotional weight that elevates the procedural elements and makes me want to see more. I’m also intrigued by the introduction of Jennifer Morales (Sara Garcia), the Army intel officer, who hasn’t yet appeared but promises to add even more layers to the investigation. I’m curious to see how she will mesh with the existing team.
Overall, I’m in (for now). The premiere was full of surprises, and I can’t wait to see where the story goes next. The twists, the personal stakes, and the complex relationships between the characters have me excited for what’s to come. I’m definitely planning to tune in for more. The Hunting Party has so much potential, and I’m eager to see how they unfold the mysteries surrounding The Pit and its escaped killers. What did you think of the premiere? Were you surprised by the twists? I’m already counting down the days until the next episode!
The premiere of The Hunting Party will air again in its usual time slot on Monday, February 3, at 10/9c, with Episode 2 following on February 10.
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