CBS’s Reckless had more viewers last week than it ever has, with 4.7 million viewers tuning in even against a popular Sunday Night Football Colts-Broncos matchup (18.8 million viewers). The Reckless fan base might draw in even more on Saturday night at 8pm with a special two-hour finale–especially considering Reckless obviously isn’t bothered by competition from football. (There is a lot of college football on TV Saturday night.)
This legal drama in its rookie year got off to a so-so start with critics, but the audience ramp-up bodes well for a show that takes on contemporary issues and mores–and is built to hit the zeitgeist. Last week a sexual harassment verdict dovetailed with the two main characters figuring out their futures, together or apart. It’s full of pretty scenes–it’s hard to make Charleston, South Carolina look bad. Reckless had a summer first run, when it’s sometimes hard to gain traction. And it switched hours too, from 9 to 10. This movie-length finale could set the stage for a big second season for Reckless. Expect the show, as the name indicates, to let it all hang out and leave lots of loose ends to be resolved.