Very few shows start out fantastic, stay fantastic, and end fantastic. Dresden was no exception.
What Dresden did do, however, was find its feet surprisingly quickly. Bythe 12th episode the cast was working like a well oiled machine, the writers were losing their hesitancy and starting to build a cohesive and fascinating world, and new characters were emerging to deepen and solidify that world.
I firmly believe that, given a full 20-22 episode season, the crew and cast of Dresden would have graced us with an edge of the seat season finale for a show we'd have been counting the days for the return. Word of mouth and critical recognition would have brought the audience it deserved. The second season would have been where the show truly bloomed.
I actually wrote a spec script, in the optimistic days just after 'Second City' aired. I hoped perhaps I could get in on the second season. It was only the second teleplay I've ever been able to finish, mostly because of how involved I felt with the show and how plain the writers made the progression. My spec script involved White Court vampires and took ideas from the books but tailored it towards the very different television world.
As I've said before, I was glad that the producers of the show opted to take the 'alternate world' path. The books are wonderful, but I've already read the books! This was a way to play in the world of Dresden with an entirely new and free set of what-ifs.
Too bad. Maybe in the future a network with more vision and flexibility will give the Dresden world the support and room it needs to truly bloom and grow.
Until then, I'll treasure these twelve episodes for what they are -- extremely entertaining television.
