Frequency

Frequency is a science fiction drama series that aired on The CW network from 2016 to 2017. Based on the 2000 movie of the same name by Toby Emmerich, this intriguing series offers a unique blend of suspense, mystery, and familial drama that pulls viewers into a captivating narrative webscape.

The story revolves around Raimy Sullivan, a young, ambitious detective in the New York City Police Department, played by Peyton List. Raimy is fundamentally dedicated to her job, primarily due to a deeply personal motive: her father, Frank Sullivan, was an undercover cop who was killed when she was only eight years old. Coloured by rumours and ill-repute that he was a corrupt cop, Raimy has spent her life struggling to reconcile with the tarnished image of her father and nursing a powerful urge to prove her worth by solving the crime by herself.

Raimy's life, however, takes an unexpected, surreal turn when she discovers an old, discarded ham radio in her garage, which mysteriously allows her to communicate with her father in the past. This occurrence is not a figment of her imagination. Frank Sullivan, played by Riley Smith, is very much alive in the year 1996, and though stunned by this strange occurrence, readily engages with Raimy. The main premise of 'Frequency' hence lies in this unique, paradoxical father-daughter relationship that breaches the traditional expectations of time.

Within this extraordinary context, 'Frequency' powerfully explores the concept of time and the potentials of its manipulation. Each conversation between Raimy and Frank significantly impacts the timeline of events, altering past occurrences and whipping up profound changes in the present. Events that once were set in stone are unfurled and re-woven, leading to the creation of entirely new storylines which Raimy must hastily adapt to.

This continuous, direct interaction between past and present gives the series a pulsating momentum. Notably, Raimy’s attempts to utilize the ham radio to save her father from his destined death in the past triggers a tragic "butterfly effect". This series of unforeseen consequences produces ripple effects that creates a chilling suspense and raises the stakes for Raimy, making her quest for truth a race against time.

The dual timeframe narrative of Frequency not only intensifies the suspense, but also adds depth to the characters. It allows for a more multifaceted exploration of dynamics between Frank and Raimy, as well as relationships and encounters with a whole host of diverse characters, such as Raimy's mother, Julie Sullivan, Raimy’s engaged fiance, Daniel Lawrence, and Frank’s former love, Maricella.

Apart from the supernatural communication element, the series is also anchored in solving mysterious murder cases. Raimy and Frank find themselves embroiled in investigating a dangerous serial killer, dubbed the "Nightingale Murderer", whose terrorizing series of killings stretch across decades. As they collate clues from their respective timelines, they get closer to unmasking the ruthless murderer, all while grappling with the perplexing twists and turns that time changes bring about.

Directed by Brad Anderson, 'Frequency' is a show that captivates its audience with an efficiently paced narrative, an absorbing investigation plot, and raw, emotional family dynamics. The supernatural concept is ingeniously woven into the storytelling, without overshadowing the tangible potential realities faced by the characters, making it an out-of-the-box series worth checking out.