"October Road": A Familiar Path

Since I only taped the show out of duty to you, my faithful readers, and because it got so many bad reviews, I wasn’t eager to watch “October Road.”

So imagine my surprise when I actually found the hour somewhat compelling. Maybe it was because so much of it was so familiar…

“October Road” is the story of Nick Garrett (Bryan Greenberg). 10 years ago, Nick left his hometown, Knights Ridge, Massachusetts, to go on a six-week backpacking trip through Europe. He left behind his friends Eddie (Geoff Stults), Owen (Brad William Henke), Physical Phil (Jay Paulson) and Ikey (Evan Jones), and his girlfriend Hannah (Laura Prepon). And he never came back.

Now 10 years later, Nick is a successful author. His book, “Turtle on a Snare Drum” was a bestseller and turned into a hit movie. Nick is working on a new book, but he’s suffering from writer’s block. After visiting his old apartment for inspiration, Nick decides to accept an offer to teach for a day at Dufresne College and return to his hometown.

But when he gets there, the reception isn’t as warm as he hoped—especially since his novel made some of his friends look foolish. Eddie is angry because Nick didn’t return to go into business with him (and was made to look the worst in the book) and Hannah is still hurt over their breakup. She has a nine-year-old son that Nick suspects maybe his, even though she says he is not. And she’s dating “Big Cat,” who bullied Nick and his friends in high school.

Faced with all of this, Nick can’t get out of town fast enough. But when he’s presented with more evidence that Hannah’s son may be his, Nick decides to stay in town and make amends to his old friends.

The biggest problem is the walking stereotypes known as Nick’s friends—Eddie being the worst. Why would a 30-year-old want to bully college freshmen? And what is up with the guys still doing their air band every day at 3 p.m.? I also don’t get why the show found it necessary to have Physical Phil be a recluse. I guess they didn’t want all of them to have jobs. And Hannah dating the bully? Completely predictable…

And speaking of predictable, when Hannah’s son, Sam, stopped his bicycle to talk to Nick, I was sure that a car would come out of nowhere and hit him, causing him to need blood, thereby revealing the true identity of his father. So I was relieved when Sam pedaled away—until the previews showed him getting hit by a car.

Still, there’s something compelling about the Hannah-Nick story. After meeting Nick’s father, “The Commander” (Tom Berenger), it’s understandable why Nick took his late mother’s advice to pursue his dreams and didn’t come back home. But you can also understand Hannah’s pain and why she’s moved on with someone so wrong for her. And Laura Prepon is perfect as a young single mother trying to deal with it all.

If you like angst along the lines of “Dawson’s Creek” or “Felicity,” you’ll like “October Road.” Otherwise, you’ll want to skip its same-old, same-old ways…

“October Road” airs Thursdays at 10 p.m. on ABC…