On January 19, NBC surprised viewers by dropping the pilot episode of its new crime drama, The Hunting Party, immediately following NFL playoff games. It was an unexpected premiere meant to grab the highest ratings possible. The pilot, which is set to repeat in its regular timeslot on Mondays, showcases an ambitious attempt to blend the allure of thrilling serial killer plots with the bureaucracy of the FBI.
The premise takes off with Bex Henderson (played by Melissa Roxburgh), who is called back from her casino security gig to tackle dangerous serial killers who have escaped from The Pit, a secret federal prison. The series, created by JJ Bailey, utilizes the established format of procedural dramas—each episode tasked with tracking down one killer—similar to CBS's Criminal Minds and NBC's own The Blacklist. Critics have pointed out the show’s familiarity, likening its structural mechanics to widely successful predecessors.
The action begins with chaos; after the prison explodes, Bex joins forces with CIA agent Jacob Hassani (Patrick Sabongui) and former military officer Shane Florence (Josh McKenzie). These characters converge for the initial mission, requiring ample exposition about their backgrounds—especially the mysterious and perilous setting of The Pit.
On the promotional side, the show received attention prior to its premiere, creating buzz around its unique premise. The Pit, where most of America's notorious serial killers were alleged to have been held and studied, serves as both setting and plot device. They are the so-called 'forgotten' criminals, believed dead but now at large to terrorize the public once again, luring audiences back to the procedural format you’d expect from classic crime series.
Childhood trauma leads Bex to this renewed crisis—a narrative device parading tragic backstories conveniently wrapped as part of her psychological complexity. Initial reviews were decidedly mixed, with some outlets praising the engaging nature of the crime-solving at play, yet others calling it generic and overly laden with predictable twists.
The Hunting Party also promised the introduction of new main characters with additional layers of drama, particularly Jennifer Morales (Sara Garcia), who will join Bex's team over time. This growing roster aims to keep the plot dynamic as the series tracks the myriad of killers escaping to wreak havoc.
Critics highlighted some of the show’s weaknesses. Joel Keller from Decider stated, "Everything about The Hunting Party feels generic, from the premise to the structure to the characters to the dialogue." This sentiment mirrored throughout various critiques, with many noting the overwhelming amount of exposition presented early on. They find the first episode filled with predictable twists and awaited climax moments, failing to catch the viewers off guard.
Significantly, episode two titled 'Clayton Jessup' will involve different sinister elements. According to reports, this episode will reveal more details about characters' backgrounds and their complex web of secrets, keeping audiences engaged with interpersonal drama among the taskforce members themselves.
Yet, even as The Hunting Party attempts to innovate, some critics wonder if it can stand among the titans of the thriller genre. With the plot expected to require episodic resolutions to narrow down individual killers, audiences may find redundancies over time.
Finally, it's worth noting why NBC opted for such methodical pacing—all episodes will release weekly on Mondays, creating suspense both within the show and for its viewers. Episodes will also be available for streaming on Peacock, which could either bolster the writing team’s motivation to strengthen the plot as it progresses or lead to steady declines if the narrative does not develop compellingly.
Overall, The Hunting Party certainly plays on America's fascination with crime, but whether it can maintain its audience under the weight of expectations remains to be seen. The upcoming episodes could either redefine its standing or prove the show lacks the depth to rise above its predecessors.