By Olivia Boyd, staff writer
At this very moment on the channel of ABC, the show “Pushing Daisies” would be 13 years, five months, three weeks and one day since it first debuted. If you were alive between 2007-2009, you will know that it was not the best time for television or the economy. However, there were still the shining stars that managed to be seen through the clouds during this time period.
The combination of literal sweetness and death was mixed together to make “Pushing Daisies,” a show that brings a brighter perspective to death while also leaving the dark undertones.
“Pushing Daisies” was a show revolving around the character of Ned, played by Lee Pace, and his extraordinary life in which he debuts his rather odd ability to be able to bring the dead back to life with just the touch of a finger.
The story begins to get more bizarre when his secret is discovered by a private investigator, Emerson Cod, played by Chi McBride, and they then begin to solve mysteries.
To expand the plot further, Ned stumbles upon his childhood love interest, Chuck, played by Anna Friel, who had been murdered on her first official outing, he then wakes her up from the dead and they continue their relationship with the exception of touching as one touch would return her to the grave.
The three then conduct investigations with the occasional help from Olive, played by Kristin Chenoweth, who works in Ned’s pie shop, The Pie Hole.
So what is the buzz about “Pushing Daisies” that makes it so revolutionary and intriguing?
To put it simply, it is unlike any other show. The scenery, settings and costumes made the two-season show so creative and unlike anything from its time. They were able to keep the show light and colorful even though it had such dark topics and underlying tones.
The constant ominous reference to bees also gives a eery feeling in the show because bees have been seen as an omen for death. Chuck was told she smelled of “death and honey” which was a combination of her previously coming alive from the dead and her taking care of her bees.
The sweetness and darkness that was enveloped in each episode help bring a distinct taste to the viewer’s palette that is hard to relate to other shows of that time period and now.
The murder-mystery show helped to open a new genre for more shows to follow.
To be specific, the 2017 Netflix series, “A Series of Unfortunate Events” has many of the same elements in regards to the color scheme, quick-witted script and oddly specific narration that keeps the watcher involved and constantly on their toes.
Unfortunately, like “A Series of Unfortunate Events,” “Pushing Daisies’’ was canceled.
ABC left the show on a cliffhanger and it kills fans of the show and unfortunately there is no Ned to bring the show back to life.
“Pushing Daisies” is a show that is not easily forgotten and is one that has not been matched up to. One can only hope that in the future a new show will come along that brings the same creative air, or perhaps someone will revive the show. Only time will tell.
boydok17@bonaventure.edu
