The art of the "Under Pressure" needle drop

The first episode of has its charms (their names are Kaley Cuoco and Chris Messina), but the show ultimately won’t survive comparisons to , another series in which people make a podcast about some local slayings. The pilot takes a big swing to differentiate itself in the final moments of the episode, set to that classic Queen/Bowie needle drop. But it is nigh impossible to earn “Under Pressure” in episode one. Sure, Ava and Nathan are under a little bit of pressure (kinda-sorta poor, pregnant, experiencing marital issues), but not enough pressure, at this stage, to deserve “Under Pressure.” The song is a crescendo moment, one that should come after the protagonists have been on a journey, not when they’re at the beginning of one. Based On A True Story tries to get the audience on board by fast forwarding to an “Under Pressure” moment, but it’s a major misstep. [Mary Kate Carr]