'Prodigal Son' episode 1: Bellamy Young as the serial killer's wife shines through despite Michael Sheen and Tom Payne's brilliant performances
Offering a unique take on crime procedurals is Fox's latest crime thriller 'Prodigal Son'. Tom Payne, of 'Walking Dead' fame, plays the role of Malcolm Bright, a young intelligent criminal profiler who is now working with NYPD after being fired by the FBI. Why was he fired? Well, Malcolm is not just any other criminal profiler - the reason he is the best for the New York Police Department is that he knows how the mind of a serial killer works owing to him being the only son of one of the most notorious serial killers, Dr Martin Whitly (Michael Sheen).
Sheen's The Surgeon is perhaps the most terrifying character on 'Prodigal Son'. He utilized his medical expertise to ruthlessly kill 23 people in a way that shut down their body systems one at a time leading to a slow, painful death. After he is captured, The Surgeon is locked away in Claremont Psychiatric, but he is never too far away from his family.
After being fired from the FBI, Malcolm's sister Ainsley (Halston Sage) suggests he take a break from all the murders and chaos around him. So him working with NYPD is kept under covers. But when the cat is out of the bag, his mother Jessica (Bellamy Young) finds it unsettling. But when the truth comes out that Malcolm is dealing with a serial killer who is copying the methods of his father - she is furious.
Young as Jessica is an ethereal beauty. She is poised, composed (at most times), a characteristic she credits to a drink once in a while and is level-headed. She repeatedly points out that Dr Martin Whitly is like cancer and that Malcolm should stay away from him. She is aware of the mental troubles that ail Malcolm and tries her part to ameliorate things for him.
And it looks like she is still haunted by the fact that she was, once upon a time, in love with a serial killer. But perhaps what haunts her the most is that all his deeds happened right below her nose. As Jessica, Young's portrayal is neat and awe-inspiring.
The pilot episode of 'Prodigal Son' opened to positive reactions from the audience. Fans simply couldn't get enough of the crime thriller that explores the mind of a serial killer through the setting of a dysfunctional family. Interspersed with a filling of dark humor, 'Prodigal Son' has gained itself a following already. But even as Payne and Sheen garner praise for their work, Young shines through in her own space.
"Bellamy Young was superb in tonight’s episode. She has this class about her characters. It came through in 'Scandal' and now in 'Prodigal Son'," said a fan. "I'm already invested in you Jessica Whitly I am obsessing really hard can’t wait to see how she and the story will progress," said another.
'Prodigal Son' airs on Mondays at 9 pm ET/PT.