Kay McFadden / Times staff columnist
What a rush: Fox's smart 'Wonderfalls' has bite and heart

	FOX Caroline Dhavernas, foreground, stars in "Wonderfalls" with, from left, William Sadler, Diana Scarwid, Tracie Thoms, Tyron Leitso, Katie Finneran and Lee Pace.
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But the category-defying "Wonderfalls" doesn't need a catch phrase to advertise its delights. Debuting tonight at 9 on Fox (KCPQ-TV), this is the rise-and-sing show we've been awaiting all season.

Last fall, two programs hit the critics' radar: CBS' "Joan of Arcadia," a sincere drama about a teenage girl who talks with God, and Fox's "Arrested Development," a sharp-witted satire of estranged family life and social ambition.

Now imagine a series that combines these elements with the most affectingly dyspeptic heroine since "My So-Called Life," and you'll get an idea of how much "Wonderfalls" creators Todd Holland and Bryan Fuller have achieved.

Consider also their lineage. Fuller's writing credits range from "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" to the new cable series "Dead Like Me." Holland is the mastermind behind "Malcolm in the Middle" and "Tales From the Crypt," and his earlier work includes "The Larry Sanders Show," "Twin Peaks," "Max Headroom" and (aha!) "My So-Called Life."

So a trail of sly humor, loopy plots and psychological disrobing has led us to this night. You want drama? Comedy? Magical realism and precognitive truth? See "Wonderfalls."

The story is set in Niagara Falls, where 24-year-old Jaye Tyler (Caroline Dhavernas) clerks at a souvenir shop while pondering the futility of her philosophy degree from Brown University.

Let the jokes begin — but don't be lulled by irony or by Jaye's bored opening recitation of the local Native American "Maid of the Mist" legend. Fate is the uncredited star in "Wonderfalls."

Jaye's not just any underachiever. She's raised passive resentment to an aggressive art form.

"Disappointing your family is an extreme sport for you," observes best friend Mahandra (Tracie Thoms).

History tells us it's often the rebels without a cause who get visions. When Jaye almost chokes to death on a sandwich and angrily tosses an indifferent tourist's quarter into the Maid of the Mist fountain, it bounces back and hits her head.
 
Pretty soon, a misshapen souvenir figure of a lion is giving Jaye advice on how to handle a rude shop customer. "Don't give her the money," it warns.

Jaye rejects this, and the plot is set in motion, mixing bursts of manic action with dialogue that is dazzlingly smart, yet devoid of the archness that often mars adolescent vehicles like "Gilmore Girls."

We meet Jaye's concerned parents and siblings when they convene in her trailer-park home — one of the show's few flat-footed contrivances — and send her to a therapist.

"Tell me about your family," the analyst says. "I really don't want to gossip," she replies.

The Tylers are a worldly study in cohesion without connection. They are externally successful; Dad (William Sadler) is a doctor, Mom (Diana Scarwid) an author and older sister Sharon (Katie Finneran) and brother Aaron (Lee Pace) white-collar professionals.

Yet as established in Episode 1 and in a hilarious dinner scene that opens next week's Episode 2, Jaye's plantlike feelings are the result of an arid environment.

For sustenance, Jaye hangs out at the local bar, where subplots tend to develop. Besides her friend, there's a cute new bartender named Eric (Tyron Leitso), whose recent disastrous marriage is canvassed in fast-forward camera form.

"I guess the sheets had an 800-thread count, and she couldn't control herself," he concludes of his cheating wife. Then he smiles at Jaye. "You know, I've been thinking. I'm almost numb enough to start something on the rebound. Whaddya say?"

Besides the great dialogue, "Wonderfalls" offers the rarity of variance in pacing and mood. There are many tricks to please the eye and mind, such as the Viewmaster style of switching scenes and the blessedly minimal way of making objects talk.

The cast chemistry and direction give this show the easy, professional feel of a series that's already settled into its groove. The supporting actors are accomplished, with Finneran a standout as Jaye's semi-closeted lesbian sister.

As Jaye, Dhavernas is the very model of a modern Gen Y muddle. This beautifully trained Canadian actress's most refreshing trait may be her willingness to let the main character be dislikable as well as vulnerable to make a better story.

"Wonderfalls" at times feels like a tart-tongued goof on "Joan of Arcadia," which packs earnestness and a readiness to embrace mystery into nearly every ounce.

Don't be fooled. There's a noble path for Jaye Tyler, too. The difference is that it forks maddeningly.

"I was just trying to do what I was supposed to do, but I didn't know what it was, they just kept making me guess," Jaye blurts out.

She — and we — will be kept guessing for quite some time if the creators have their way. Meanwhile, maybe they can try this on for a slogan: "Surrender, Destiny."

"Evil" really is banal

USA Network already has one famously maladaptive detective as well as cable's top-rated series with "Monk."

Hoping that lightning will strike twice in nearly the same spot, the channel unveils "Touching Evil" from 9 to 11 tonight, and from 10 to 11 on subsequent Fridays.

Based on the British series and co-executive produced by Bruce Willis, the new version of "Touching Evil" centers on FBI agent David Creegan (Jeffrey Donovan).

Creegan took a bullet to the head and briefly was dead — and a bit nuts — before returning to work. But the part of his brain that's gone removed certain inhibitors. He no longer experiences fear, shame and emotional restraint.

Despite artsy efforts by the Hughes brothers ("Menace II Society," "From Hell") to elevate "Touching Evil" to cool-school status, it's really just another police procedural.

The cross-Atlantic premise is a problem, because an emotionally unleashed American doesn't carry the same wallop as his English counterpart did. (Conversely, that's why "Monk" is so much fun for us loosey-goosey Yanks. Whee, repression!)

Donovan turns in a nicely restrained performance, though his character's moments of aggression and misbehavior aren't as breakout as they're meant to be.

Tonight's story takes forever to unfold and contains a number of errors regarding serial-killer behavior that will annoy well-versed Western Washington residents.

No amount of clouds rushing by, mirror-smashing metaphors or Golden Gate Bridge skyline shots can distract us from the monotony of a series that would better be titled, "Swallowing Diazepam."

Kay McFadden: kmcfadden@seattletimes.com

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