Jane Vasco is a DEA agent recruited by a covert government agency that hunts genetically enhanced individuals. She discovers that she can heal rapidly from any injury and begins to investigate the source of her powers.
Decent scripts could make it work anyway, but the first two episodes at least don't bode well; the stories are flat, and the repartee between Jane and her teammates isn't zippy enough to amuse even the comic-book crowd.
"Painkiller Jane" doesn't soar to the dramatic heights of "Battlestar," but it is a step above some of the network's other programs, a procedural thriller with a sense of humor and stylish action scenes.
It's too bad because tough-talking, smoky-voiced broads are among America's greatest contributions to world culture and they are in very short supply these days.
Based on this first meeting, however, only guys with a taste for camp or genuinely desperate to see a female in the living room would willingly book a second date with "Jane."
Not helping matters either are the wretched dialogue, indiscriminately moody lighting, stock characters (gruff boss, dweeby tech guy, ripped chauvinist colleague), and crushing lack of suspense. I felt the pain, believe me.
Loken conveys that mix of feelings with remarkable stamina. It's just a shame that such a strong heroine has to suffer so often. It hurts so bad, and that ain't good.
