Swingtown Just Isn’t Swinging

Add comment June 23rd, 2008

Swingtown, CBS’s 1970’s summer show, has a great cast and an enthralling premise, centering on Bruce (Jack Davenport) and Susan Miller (Molly Parker), two parents swept up in the social/sexual revolution of the 70’s. After several experimental flings, “free love” starts to have consequences on Bruce and Susan’s relationship, as the two find themselves – and their children – torn between tradition and change. But while the writing and the cast are first-rate, the execution isn’t. Some episodes have considerable trouble picking up steam. Worst, the supporting characters seem defined only by either their traditional values or adherence to “free love” – and not much else. In other words, they exist solely to point Bruce and Susan one way or the other, but fail as well-rounded characters themselves. Swingtown airs Thursdays on CBS at 9:00 PM.