Reaper: ‘A New Hope’ for a New Season

Although hard to believe, it really is finally time for the second-season premiere of The CW’s delicious Devil dramedy Reaper. The first episode up tonight at 8pm EST has the very long and quite confusing title “Episode 201: Episode IV: A New Hope,” so let’s just call it “A New Hope” for short.

Following the Season One-ending development that The Devil and Sam might be a whole lot closer than mere employer and employee — father and son, in fact — Season Two opens with best buds Sam, Sock, and Ben returning from a soothing vacation. Yet, the road-trip afterglow doesn’t last for long because the trio are forced to face the grim reality that their jobs are now gone at the Work Bench and their apartment is, too. Jobless and homeless, the guys manage to get back on their feet eventually, no thanks to The Devil and his latest whopper of an assignment.

That’s the bare-bones summary. I’ve had the opportunity to screen this week’s and next week’s (“Dirty Sexy Mongol”) episodes ahead of their premiere, and I gotta tell all of my fellow Reaper fans that it sure is nice to have the gang back. As expected, however, the plot isn’t all fun and games.

Not only must Sam deal with his (im)possible parentage — not to mention The Devil’s customary seeming refusal to take that or anything else he doesn’t consider his problem very seriously — but also Andi’s understandable concerns about how his side job will affect their relationship. Add to the mix the mandatory and uncommonly dangerous task assigned by The Devil — a huge one, with a faulty vessel, to boot — and it’s a wonder the episode is as funny as it is.

The season premiere features a couple of new faces, as well, one played by visually appealing and accomplished actress Eriko Tamura (Heroes) and the other by equally skilled Sean Patrick Thomas (The District, Save the Last Dance). I’m trying to keep my comments as major spoiler-free as possible here for readers who prefer to watch shows with a fairly blank slate, but I think it’s okay to mention that Tamura’s character provides much comic relief, while Thomas’ provides the spark for that new hope mentioned in the title.

All in all, “A New Hope” is just what I was wishing for in the Season Two premiere: more plentiful good times with our three favorite demon bounty hunters and The Devil, some fresh storylines, and a little something extra to look forward to in the weeks to come. It’s reassuring to observe that Reaper hasn’t declined during its hiatus and still has potential to get even better.

The one thing I would love to see — aside from a Season Three pickup, of course — is the dramedy paired with Supernatural, a series that shares its dexterity effortlessly alternating between humorous segments and more intense, thrilling scenes. In a perfect TV world, I guess.

Reaper will air Tuesdays on The CW at 8pm EST.