I won't give away too much (you should watch from the beginning of last year's writer's-strike-abbreviated season one), but the basic premise of the show is this: As a boy, Ned ("The Pie Maker") discovered he had the ability to bring a dead thing back to life with a touch. This would be a tremendous blessing, except that if he allows that thing to stay alive (again) for more than one minute, then a similar living thing nearby will suddenly die in its place. To further complicate things, if Ned touches that revived thing again, it will die (for good this time.)
See what I mean? The show is visual. Even the basic concept of the plot is something that cannot be easily explained without using images. The actors do a terrific job, and the writing is full of one-liners and self-aware silliness. But in the end, it's the set, props, and overall design that make the show so fun to watch.
Visually, Pushing Daisies looks like Amélie, Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events, or anything by Tim Burton (especially Big Fish). It has to do with the use of bright color and contrasting (often clashing) patterns and textures. Oh, and hardly any blue. The effect is a full-motion storybook full of interesting things to look at. There's also the anachronisms. Like-new classic cars, retro television sets, and old-fashioned streamlining are mixed in with late-model cars and futuristic technology. It's as if the story won't be bound by time or logic.
Full episodes of Pushing Daisies can be watched on abc.com's full-episode player or (if you live overseas), at fancast.com
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