Frequency (TV series) explained
Frequency is an American mystery science fiction drama television series that aired on The CW from October 5, 2016 to January 25, 2017.[1] Inspired by the 2000 film Frequency, the television series was developed by Jeremy Carver. The series was canceled on May 8, 2017; five days later, an epilogue to the series was released.[2]
Premise
In 2016, NYPD Detective Raimy Sullivan discovers that she is able to speak to her deceased father Frank Sullivan in 1996 via his old ham radio. Her attempts to save his life trigger the "butterfly effect", changing the present in unforeseen ways. To fix the damage, she must work with her father across time to solve a decades-old murder case.[3]
Cast and characters
Main
- Peyton List as Raimy Elizabeth Sullivan
- Ada Breker as young Raimy
An NYPD detective who experiences an unusual weather phenomenon that allows her to communicate with her late father through radio transmissions.[4] Born and raised in Queens, Raimy is stationed at the 21st Precinct (the same precinct her father worked out of in 1996) and has been since the start of her career in 2008. She achieved the rank of detective in 2014. After changing the timeline by conversing with her father, Raimy seems to be the only one who notices the changes. Now, she and Frank work across time to solve the Nightingale murders before her mother can become the killer's next victim.
- Riley Smith as Francis Joseph "Frank" Sullivan: Raimy's father and an NYPD detective in 1996. He was originally killed while working undercover and posthumously accused of being corrupt, but survived when Raimy changed the timeline by warning him of his impending death. In the new timeline caused by his survival in 1996, Frank saw his daughter grow up and graduate from the police academy, and even served as her training officer in 2008. He dies in a car crash in 2011.
- Devin Kelley as Julie Elizabeth Sullivan: Raimy's mother and Frank's widow who, once the timeline is changed so that her husband survives, is killed by the Nightingale.
- Mekhi Phifer as Detective (1996)/Lieutenant (2016) Satch Reyna: Frank's partner who now runs the 21st Precinct's Detective Squad where Raimy works. He and Stan Moreno were patrol officers in the late 1980s. In the original timeline, Satch's marriage collapsed in the intervening 20 years, and he became estranged from his children.
- Anthony Ruivivar as Captain Stan Moreno: The 21st Precinct Commander who, as a narcotics detective in 1996, was responsible for the undercover operation that resulted in Frank's death. In the original timeline, then-Sergeant Moreno, already a legendary narcotics detective, served as Raimy's training officer in 2008. Frank and Raimy believe he is corrupt.
- Lenny Jacobson as Gordo: Raimy's childhood friend.
- Daniel Bonjour as Daniel Lawrence: Raimy's fiancé in 2016. When Raimy alters the timeline to save her father, she is horrified to discover that she and Daniel have never met and he is dating another woman. Nevertheless, she retains memories of their previous romance. When the timeline is again altered, their engagement is restored by the end of the series.
Recurring
- Sandy Robson as Mike Rainey
- Brad Kelly as "Little Jay" Garza
- Alexandra Metz as Maya Gowan
- Michael Charles Roman as Thomas Goff: A suspect in the Nightingale murders.
- David Lipper as Robbie Womack
- Melinda Page Hamilton as Marilyn Goff
- Britt McKillip as young Meghan
- Kenneth Mitchell as Deacon Joe Hurley: A suspect in the Nightingale murders.
- Rob Mayes as Detective Kyle Moseby: A fellow NYPD detective who in the changed timeline has a sexual relationship with Raimy.[5]
Episodes
On May 13, 2017, The CW released an epilogue to the series to provide closure after its cancellation, in which the radio is fixed and Frank and Raimy confirm that the Nightingale died in prison. Raimy also reveals the date of Frank's car accident to him before the radio fizzles out. Raimy frantically continues to try to call out to her father on the radio until you hear her father's voice from behind her say: "I got it kiddo." She turns around to see her father there in person and they embrace.[6]
Broadcast
Netflix acquired the exclusive broadcast rights to Frequency in the United Kingdom, Ireland, India, Canada and Oceania, adding new episodes to its platform less than a day after their original U.S. broadcast.[7] [8]
Reception
Critical response
Frequency has received generally positive reviews from critics. Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes gives the series a score of 75% based on 24 reviews. The consensus says, "Frequency confusing timeline and somewhat familiar dramatic framework are offset by solid acting and an intriguingly loaded premise."[9] On Metacritic, the show has a weighted average of 64/100 based on 21 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[10]
Ratings
See also
Notes and References
- Web site: The CW fall TV 2016 premiere dates: 'The Flash' and 'No Tomorrow' kick off October rollout. https://web.archive.org/web/20160618151152/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2016/06/17/the-cw-fall-tv-2016-premiere-dates-the-flash-and-no-tomorrow-kick-off-october-rollout/. dead. June 18, 2016. June 17, 2016. June 17, 2016.
- Web site: 'Frequency,' 'No Tomorrow' Canceled at The CW. Strauss. Bettina. The Hollywood Reporter. May 8, 2017. May 8, 2017.
- News: Andreeva . Nellie . 'Riverdale', 'Frequency' & 'No Tomorrow' Picked Up To Series By The CW . . 2016-05-12 . 2016-05-13.
- Web site: Gelman . Vlada . CW Pilot News: Peyton List Joins Frequency, Transylvania Finds Lead . . February 22, 2016 . May 13, 2016 . May 12, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160512095827/http://tvline.com/2016/02/22/frequency-peyton-list-cast-cw-reboot/ . dead .
- Web site: 'Frequency' Casts 'Mistresses' Actor as Raimy's Love Interest. Entertainment Weekly. November 3, 2016.
- Web site: 'Frequency' Epilogue: Raimy and Frank's Fates Revealed (Video) . The Wrap . Linda . Ge . May 13, 2016 . May 13, 2016.
- Web site: Munn. Patrick. Netflix UK Snaps Up The CW's 'Frequency' Reboot. TVWise. October 11, 2016. November 1, 2016.
- Web site: video on uNoGS. unogs.com.
- Web site: Frequency: Season 1 . Rotten Tomatoes. February 5, 2016.
- Web site: Frequency – Season 1 Reviews . . October 17, 2016.
