The story of Hunters follows FBI agent Flynn Carroll, played by Nathan Phillips of The Bridge, whose wife is kidnapped by what he later finds out are alien terrorists, dubbed “Hunters.” His personal investigation into her disappearance causes him to cross paths with a secret agency known as the ETU, or Exo Terrorism Unit, the leader of which recruits Carroll into his field team. He discovers that the aliens are everywhere, appearing as humans but with different internal physiology. One standout of the show is the lone female agent in the ETU, Allison Regan, played with subtle intensity by Britne Oldford of American Horror Story. Although it’s initially unclear why she is mistrusted by some on the team, her secret, when it is revealed, becomes one of the most satisfying moments of the pilot. Although her special skill set can be discovered even in promotional material, the unknown factor brings the most spice to the opening story and thus will not be revealed here. The other notable performance comes from the main antagonist and kidnapper of Agent Carroll’s wife: the Hunter known as Lionel McCarthy, played by the very versatile Julian McMahon of Nip/Tuck. Although the true complexity of his character doesn’t come out until the second episode, his ability to achieve several different looks and act alternately animalistic and debonaire during his time on screen makes him one of the more interesting characters, even though viewers can glean very little about what he’s really up to – frustratingly rather than enticingly. There is the potential for other sideline elements to pull in viewers such as the addition of Carroll’s autistic foster daughter Emme Dawson, played by newcomer Shannon Berry. Emme’s father was Carroll’s partner, who was killed during their time together in the FBI, and Carroll and his wife adopted his orphaned daughter. Emme’s relationship with Carroll is strained, especially after his wife disappears, but Emme’s autism gives her a unique perspective as her audio memory aids Carroll in his investigation. On the flip side, her self-destructive behavior could cause trouble for herself and for Carroll, who has his own mental problems. This relationship could make for an interesting side plot. The somewhat humdrum pilot fortunately gets a boost from the second episode as Agent Regan’s secret clashes with Agent Carroll’s expectations, but a mysterious scar on Carroll’s arm takes on a new significance as the story between the two partners unfolds. Likewise, the layers start to peel back on the alien conspiracy midway through the second week as Lionel McCarthy’s interactions with his fellow Hunters stimulates audience speculation. The basic but important discoveries made by the ETU as the story progresses make the viewer wonder what success they possibly could have had before Carroll showed up. Hear our interview with Britne Oldford, who plays Agent Allison Regan on Hunters, on the April edition of Sci Fi Fidelity on the Den of Geek Podcast Network or simply listen below.
