Adam Williams
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          • PENGUINS DOWN UNDEFEATED ISLANDERS
          • FLYERS FLY PAST PENGUINS
          • LATE SURGE PUSHES WINGS PAST PENGUINS
          • FLOWER BLOOMS AGAINST PREDATORS
          • COLD START LEADS TO HOT FINISH: PENS ROMP 8-3
          • PENGUINS BLANK DEFENDING CHAMPS
          • PENGUINS SWEEP HOMESTAND
          • PENS RUN WILD OVER MINNESOTA
          • SHOOTOUT IN WINNIPEG FAVORS PENGUINS
          • CROSBY, PENS CRUISE TO SEVEN STRAIGHT
          • RANGERS END MULTIPLE STREAKS IN 5-0 DRUBBING OF PENGUINS
          • PENS CLOSE OUT ROAD TRIP WITH TOUGH FOUGHT WIN
          • UNUSUAL FINISH GIVES PENGUINS THE REDEMPTION WIN
          • BENNETT, FLEURY LEAD PENS OVER CANADIENS
          • OKPOSO, ISLANDERS WIN SHOOTOUT OVER PENGUINS
          • ISLANDERS SWEEP HOME AND HOME SERIES
          • FLOWER PICKS UP FIFTH SHUTOUT WIN VERSUS RIVAL DEVILS
          • ORPIK, NISKANEN HAUNT PENGUINS IN RETURN
          • PENGUINS END 2014 WITH NEEDED VICTORY
          • CROSBY'S OT WINNER PUSHES PENGUINS PAST HABS
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      • Awful Nice
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      • The Dust Storm
      • Bokeh
      • Something Real and Good
      • Nightcrawler
      • The Lonliest Planet
      • The Skeleton Twins
      • Girl Most Likely
      • Bad Turn Worse
      • Starry Eyes
      • Mean Creek
      • White Bird in a Blizzard
      • Come Back To Me
      • The Don Cherry Story
      • Breathe In
      • Bridgend
      • Silent House
      • Not Waving, But Drowning
      • The Sacrament
      • After The Dark
      • Blue Ruin
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      • Sharknado 2
      • Carrie
      • Brick
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      • Top 10- Ligeia Songs
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        • Classic CD- Chevelle "Wonder What's Next"
        • Classic CD- The Modern Day Saint ...And Tomorrow We Will Have Nothing
        • Classic CD- Emmure "Goodbye to the Gallows"
        • Classic CD- The Fray "How to Save a Life"
        • Classic CD- The Saddest Landscape "All is Apologized For. All is Forgiven"
        • Classic CD- Ligeia "Your Ghost Is A Gift"
      • Slaves- Routine Breathing
      • Angus and Julia Stone- Angus and Julia Stone
      • We Came As Romans- We Came As Romans
      • Pianos Become The Teeth- Keep You
      • Keyes- Wandermere
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      • Slaves- Through Art We Are All Equals
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    • Lyrics >
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      • Delay
      • The Ballad of Brendan Wayne and Mikela Austen
      • Roam
    • Stories >
      • ...And It's like We Never Existed >
        • 1. Introduction
        • 2. Rest Easy My Pounding Heart, Pt. 1
        • 3. Rest Easy My Pounding Heart, Pt. 2
        • 4. Waiting For Answers
        • 5. Midnight Murmurs and Pinky Promises
        • 6. Rest Easy My Pounding Heart, Pt. 3
        • 7. To Madison (Kirsti)
        • 8. Quiver
        • 9. Rest Easy My Pounding Heart, Pt. 4
        • 10. Running in Circles from the Squares
        • 11. Foundations
        • 12. Carlisle Nights
        • 13. Rest Easy My Pounding Heart, Pt. 5
        • 14. The Storm in Between Separate Sets of Sheets
        • 15. Ruminating on Repeat
        • 16. Starlit Skies Filled with Solemn Sighs
        • 17. What We Knew Is Not What We Know Now
        • 18. These February Nights
        • 19. Conclusion
  • Contact

Hidden Gem

Hidden Palms

PicturePhoto courtesy of Google.com
Hidden Palms was a CW Network Original Series that aired in 2007 and only lasted eight episodes.  Placed at an unfortunate Wednesday time slot, doubled-up episodes and shows on July 4th, Hidden Palms never really had a chance to survive, however, was a clever, well written teen-drama by Kevin Williamson, creator of Dawson's Creek and writer for Scream.

The story revolves around Johnny Miller (Taylor Handley) and his recent move to Palm Springs with his mother and his new stepfather.  Johnny's father had recently committed suicide, sending the 16-year old into a drug and rehab ranch.  Johnny is apprehensive about the move, however, attempts to accept the changes.  During his first night, he meets his neighbor, Cliff Wiatt (Michael Cassidy), his other neighbor and science genius Liza Witter (Ellary Porterfield), and the inevitable beautiful and mysterious girl, Greta Matthews (Amber Heard). 

Cliff tells Johnny a dark secret that sets in motion the main plot of the show:  What happened to Eddie Nolan?  

Dozens of twists and turns, misdirection and paranoia set Johnny, Cliff, Greta, and Liza on a summer adventure filled with secrets, lies, and betrayals. 

The chemistry between these actors is fantastic, despite rumors that Cassidy and Handley did not get along well with one another off-camera.  Amber Heard is absolutely stunning in the show and honestly, gives her best acting performances of her career in the short-lived series.  The three young actors created a dynamic triangle throughout the series, establishing a highly entertaining and nerve-wracking tension each episode. 

Creating a teen-like atmosphere in Palm Springs, a city known for being host to the older generation, was very well done and the music selected for the show was absolutely fantastic.  Artists like Damien Rice, Joshua Radin, and Pepper, along with Amy Winehouse and Guster were featured, fitting each scene perfectly.  

My favorite scene of the series, and arguably my favorite scene in television, took place in the first episode, where Johnny meets up with Greta outside of a cafe and the two get to know each other more through an interesting interrogation.  This scene elaborates more on who these two characters are and will also set up for intense back and forths between the two later on in the show.
 

Hidden Palms was a show that was doomed from the start due to its lack of marketing and promotion, miserable time slot, and terrible timing.  I believe that if the show was featured on a Tuesday, or even Thursday, it would have succeeded and created a second, even potentially third season due to the cliffhanger of an ending in the season/series finale.  There was so much more this show could have provided: more answers to the original mystery, how the characters would have fared in school, and the introduction of new characters/further development of existing, older characters.  

It's an absolute shame that Hidden Palms never made it past eight episodes, but we can at least feel fortunate that the show was made in the first place and created a nice, albeit shallow, niche for itself in the CW family of shows.

Hidden Palms is up on Hulu.com and available to stream at anytime.
*Editor's note: As of this edit, August 28, 2015, Hidden Palms was removed from Hulu.*  

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  • Home
  • My Books
    • Rest Easy, My Pounding Heart
  • About
    • Book Update
    • Taking a Powder
  • Sports
    • NHL >
      • The Pensimist Podcast
      • Pittsburgh Penguins >
        • 2018 Pittsburgh Penguins Trade Deadline Projections
        • Pittsburgh Penguins 2016 Off-Season Blog
        • 2016 Penguins Trade Deadline
        • 2015 Pittsburgh Penguins Offseason
        • Pens Interested in Kessel?
        • The Magnificent Malkin Drama
        • Reaction to Pens Trade Deadline Acquisitions
        • Penguins Lose Dupuis For Six Months
        • Pens, Fleury Agree to Four Year Extension
        • Penguins Training Camp Thoughts
        • A Look At Potential Penguins Lines
        • New Penguins, New Numbers
        • Penguins Sign Steve Downie
        • Penguins Head Coach, Free Agency, Trade Updates
        • Penguins Head Coaching Prospects
        • Penguins Free Agent Wishlist
        • Penguins New Look...So Far
        • Pens New GM, Neal Wants Out?, WBS to Game 6
        • Shero out as Pens GM; More Change to Come
        • Pittsburgh Penguins: What's Wrong?
      • Game Reviews/Recaps >
        • 2014-15 Game Reviews >
          • PENGUINS, JOHNSTON WIN FIRST GAME OF SEASON
          • PENGUINS SURGE PAST MAPLE LEAFS
          • STARS OUT IN FORCE, DEFEAT PENGUINS
          • PENGUINS DOWN UNDEFEATED ISLANDERS
          • FLYERS FLY PAST PENGUINS
          • LATE SURGE PUSHES WINGS PAST PENGUINS
          • FLOWER BLOOMS AGAINST PREDATORS
          • COLD START LEADS TO HOT FINISH: PENS ROMP 8-3
          • PENGUINS BLANK DEFENDING CHAMPS
          • PENGUINS SWEEP HOMESTAND
          • PENS RUN WILD OVER MINNESOTA
          • SHOOTOUT IN WINNIPEG FAVORS PENGUINS
          • CROSBY, PENS CRUISE TO SEVEN STRAIGHT
          • RANGERS END MULTIPLE STREAKS IN 5-0 DRUBBING OF PENGUINS
          • PENS CLOSE OUT ROAD TRIP WITH TOUGH FOUGHT WIN
          • UNUSUAL FINISH GIVES PENGUINS THE REDEMPTION WIN
          • BENNETT, FLEURY LEAD PENS OVER CANADIENS
          • OKPOSO, ISLANDERS WIN SHOOTOUT OVER PENGUINS
          • ISLANDERS SWEEP HOME AND HOME SERIES
          • FLOWER PICKS UP FIFTH SHUTOUT WIN VERSUS RIVAL DEVILS
          • ORPIK, NISKANEN HAUNT PENGUINS IN RETURN
          • PENGUINS END 2014 WITH NEEDED VICTORY
          • CROSBY'S OT WINNER PUSHES PENGUINS PAST HABS
        • 2014-15 Game Recaps >
          • Game 1: Anaheim Ducks vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
          • Game 2: Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
          • Game 3: Dallas Stars vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
          • Game 4: New York Islanders vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
          • Game 5: Philadelphia Flyers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
          • Game 6: Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Detroit Red Wings
          • Game 7: Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Nashville Predators
          • Game 8: New Jersey Devils vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
          • Game 9- Los Angeles Kings vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
          • Game 10: Buffalo Sabres vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
          • Game 11: Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Minnesota Wild
          • Game 12: Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Winnipeg Jets
          • Game 13: Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Buffalo Sabres
          • Game 14: Pittsburgh Penguins vs. New York Rangers
          • Game 15: Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
          • Game 16: New York Rangers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
          • Game 17: Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Montreal Canadiens
          • Game 18: New York Islanders vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
          • Game 19: Pittsburgh Penguins vs. New York Islanders
          • Game 24: New Jersey Devils vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
          • Game 35- Washington Capitals vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
          • Game 37- Carolina Hurricanes vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
          • Game 41: Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Montreal Canadiens
      • Fantasy Hockey Team #1- The Last of Us
      • Fantasy Hockey Team #2- Canadensis Malsby
      • 2014-15 NHL Bold Predictions
      • 2014 NHL Free Agent Frenzy
      • NHL Free Agency Predictions
      • 2014 NHL Draft Winners and Losers
    • Wrestling >
      • 2016 WWE PPV Reactions >
        • WWE Royal Rumble
        • WWE Fastlane
      • 2016 WWE PPV Predictions >
        • WWE Royal Rumble
        • WWE Fastlane
      • 2015 WWE PPV Reactions >
        • WWE Royal Rumble
      • 2015 PPV Predictions >
        • WWE Royal Rumble
        • WWE Fast Lane
        • WWE Wrestlemania 31
      • 2014 PPV Predictions >
        • WWE Survivor Series Predictions
        • WWE Hell In A Cell Predictions
        • WWE Night of Champions Predictions
        • WWE SummerSlam Predictions
        • WWE Battleground Predictions
        • WWE Money In The Bank Predictions
        • WWE Payback Predictions
      • The Shield >
        • Dean Ambrose- Best in the World?
        • R.I.P. The Shield
        • Dean Ambrose
        • Believe In The Shield
      • Wrestling Articles >
        • Macho Madness: Randy Savage's Long Overdue Induction
        • NXT R Evolution Predictions
        • Fantasy Booking Kevin Owens Debut
        • Sting Strikes at Survivor Series
        • Let the Madness Begin: Dean Ambrose vs. Bray Wyatt
        • Knockouts Outshine Divas
        • The Wyatt Family and What's Next...
        • Main Event and Smackdown Spoilers- September 9, 2014
        • Brock Lesnar: How Will He Be Booked?
        • "Ladies and Gentlemen, My Name is Paul Heyman" DVD Review
        • Brian Pillman: Loose Cannon
        • What's Wrong with WWE Countdown
  • TV
    • TV on Netflix >
      • Your Lie in April
      • Low Winter Sun- Netflix Binge
      • Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp- Netflix Binge
      • The Killing- Netflix Binge
      • The Red Road- Netflix Binge
      • Flashpoint- Netflix Binge
      • Archer- Netflix Binge
      • The 100- Netflix Binge Watch
      • Mixology- Netflix Binge Watch
      • The Spoils of Babylon Review
      • Boss on Netflix
      • Baby Daddy- Netflix Binge Watch
      • Sons of Anarchy- Netflix Binge Watch
    • We're on in 3, 2, 1...Welcome to Sports Night
    • Hidden Gem- Hidden Palms
    • The Day I Met Austin St. John
    • Mountain Monsters
  • Film
    • Netflix Pix >
      • They Look Like People
      • Queen of Earth
      • Toad Road
      • Compliance
      • Motivation 2: The Chris Cole Story
      • If I Stay
      • They Came Together
      • Wet Hot American Summer
      • Three Night Stand
      • Rich Hill
      • Save The Date
      • Live at The Foxes Den
      • Wish You Were Here
      • Goon
      • Liberal Arts
      • Dragonfyre
      • Jugface
      • Adore
      • Forgetting the Girl
      • Awful Nice
      • Grand Piano
      • The Dirties
      • We Are What We Are
      • A Teacher
      • The Lifeguard
    • Reviews >
      • The Dust Storm
      • Bokeh
      • Something Real and Good
      • Nightcrawler
      • The Lonliest Planet
      • The Skeleton Twins
      • Girl Most Likely
      • Bad Turn Worse
      • Starry Eyes
      • Mean Creek
      • White Bird in a Blizzard
      • Come Back To Me
      • The Don Cherry Story
      • Breathe In
      • Bridgend
      • Silent House
      • Not Waving, But Drowning
      • The Sacrament
      • After The Dark
      • Blue Ruin
      • BENT
      • Sharknado 2
      • Carrie
      • Brick
    • Back To Action? New Power Rangers Film
    • "Where Does He Go At Night?" Donnie Darko
  • Music
    • Top 10 >
      • Top 10- Ligeia Songs
      • Top 10- The Saddest Landscape Songs
      • Top 10- Emmure Songs
    • Reviews >
      • Classic CD's >
        • Classic CD- Chevelle "Wonder What's Next"
        • Classic CD- The Modern Day Saint ...And Tomorrow We Will Have Nothing
        • Classic CD- Emmure "Goodbye to the Gallows"
        • Classic CD- The Fray "How to Save a Life"
        • Classic CD- The Saddest Landscape "All is Apologized For. All is Forgiven"
        • Classic CD- Ligeia "Your Ghost Is A Gift"
      • Slaves- Routine Breathing
      • Angus and Julia Stone- Angus and Julia Stone
      • We Came As Romans- We Came As Romans
      • Pianos Become The Teeth- Keep You
      • Keyes- Wandermere
      • Heart In Hand- A Beautiful White
      • Slaves- Through Art We Are All Equals
      • Volumes- No Sleep
      • La Dispute- Wildlife
      • Pianos Become The Teeth- The Lack Long After
      • Heart in Hand- Only Memories
      • Emmure- Eternal Enemies
  • Personal
    • Lyrics >
      • To Madison (Kirsti)
      • On That Wintry Night
      • The Slumbering Tongue
      • Room 147
      • Illusion of Night
      • "I Never Thought I'd Catch A Writer With No Words"
      • Delay
      • The Ballad of Brendan Wayne and Mikela Austen
      • Roam
    • Stories >
      • ...And It's like We Never Existed >
        • 1. Introduction
        • 2. Rest Easy My Pounding Heart, Pt. 1
        • 3. Rest Easy My Pounding Heart, Pt. 2
        • 4. Waiting For Answers
        • 5. Midnight Murmurs and Pinky Promises
        • 6. Rest Easy My Pounding Heart, Pt. 3
        • 7. To Madison (Kirsti)
        • 8. Quiver
        • 9. Rest Easy My Pounding Heart, Pt. 4
        • 10. Running in Circles from the Squares
        • 11. Foundations
        • 12. Carlisle Nights
        • 13. Rest Easy My Pounding Heart, Pt. 5
        • 14. The Storm in Between Separate Sets of Sheets
        • 15. Ruminating on Repeat
        • 16. Starlit Skies Filled with Solemn Sighs
        • 17. What We Knew Is Not What We Know Now
        • 18. These February Nights
        • 19. Conclusion
  • Contact