"Lone Star" Review: The Next Great Primetime Soap?

When the closing credits rolled across my computer screen for the new FOX drama, “Lone Star,” I wasn’t sure what to think. But the more thought I gave to it, I realized it had unlimited potential for soapy goodness…

James Wolk, who could easily pass for George Clooney’s younger brother, stars as Robert Allen, a salesman who lives a quiet, suburban life in Midland, Texas, with his girlfriend, Lindsay (Eloise Mumford). But Wolk also plays Bob Allen, a Houston businessman, who’s married to Cat (Adrianne Palicki), the daughter of a wealthy oil tycoon.

The big twist of the show is that Robert and Bob are the same person. You see, he’s a con man. Instead of selling people shares in oil wells, he’s actually milking people out of their savings. And instead of working his way up in his father-in-law, Clint’s (Jon Voight), company, he’s actually planning to wipe it out.

Leading Bob along the way is his father, John (David Keith), who cautions Bob to not get emotionally involved. But it’s too late since Bob is in love with both Lindsay and Cat. So when an opportunity comes up for Bob to go legit, he tries to convince his dad it’s time to give up the con. But can he become an honest businessman while still living two lives?

See what I mean about soapy goodness?

Some of the cons and business deals are a little hard to follow, but you don’t have to completely understand them to enjoy the show. You just have to understand that Bob is not everything he appears to be…

Except for a really good-looking and charismatic guy who’s is in too deep. He is definitely that…

The rest of the cast is great too—especially Jon Voight. It will be interesting to see where his character goes, since we’ve already seen what a great TV villain he can be. Mark Deklin and Bryce Johnson are Trammell and Drew, Cat’s brothers. Drew respects Bob, but Trammell is pretty wary—and pretty jealous—of him. So you just know he’s going to be trouble…

For years, the networks have attempted to find the next great primetime soap opera and it’s possible that FOX has finally found it—in the guise of a family drama.

“Lone Star” premieres Monday, September 20th at 9 p.m…

Photo Credit: Patrick Ecclesine/FOX