What is Teacup? That question is easily answered and not so easily answered. The short answer is that it is an adaptation of the book Stinger by Robert McCammon. The long answer is much more complicated and actively changes the pace and scope of the original novel. Series creator and showrunner Ian McCulloch set out to adapt the novel but make it a much smaller scale story. It shifts down an entire city trapped to a small farm. Thousands of people turn into three families that are trapped by whatever mysterious force. The drama starts right away with the Chenoweth family obviously going through some issues. Maggie (played by Yvonne Strahovski) is a vet and has her own practice right on her farm. Her husband James (played by Scott Speedman) has obviously done something pretty bad in their relationship that unfolds a tiny bit through the first two episodes.
The familial dynamic doesn’t stop at two people likely needing couples counseling though. James’ mother Ellen (played by Kathy Baker) lives with the family now and there’s some contention between Maggie and her. The two kids in the house are Arlo (played by Caleb Dolden) and Meryl (played by Emilie Bierre). The animals are acting weird on the farm, including a rogue goat who wanders off into the forest. Arlo goes after and ends up getting lost. Meanwhile, the Shanley, Ruben (played by Chaske Spencer), Nicholas (played by Luciano Leroux), and Valeria (played by Diany Rodriguez) family shows up with an injured horse, another animal that has been acting weird.
Finally, when all of the weird happenings (power outage, no cell service, cars won’t start) begin, another family, the Kelly’s show up to grab their dog, who has also been acting strange. This first episode lays a lot of the groundwork but ends up as slightly slow. It doesn’t spoonfeed the answers right away to audiences. That might turn some people off, but it’s imperative that you at least get to the second episode.
The second episode is where some of the mystery is unveiled. It all builds to a conclusion in the second episode that hooks you. Even then, it still doesn’t give you all the answers and makes you want more. The 30-minute format of the series really works with the pacing and flow of the episodes. It feels like a lot is happening, but it’s not at a frenetic pace. It also allows for just enough information and plot to come out but still gives enough for character moments to build up the relationships.
In between everything, there’s a mysterious figure with a gas mask that adds to the intrigue of Teacup. The blue line they’re spray-painting or however else they’re getting it down makes for an intriguing image. Is it real? Is it some sort of government conspiracy? The opening moments of episode one hint at something like this. But throughout both episodes, it’s not given much in regards to answers. You’ll quickly learn just what the blue line does and is there for in the back half of episode two. This is a bubble of terror and it makes for the release valve of pressure that the series uses.
It all culminates in a shocking final act of the second episode that’s some of the best gore effects I’ve seen on television. This is like Hannibal-level gore (while you’re at it Peacock, give that show a fourth season). Outside of the gore effects being exquisite, Teacup is just a pretty show. It’s well-shot and the lighting is shockingly good to set the scenes. You can see the actors at night, but it’s not distracting.
Overall, the mystery surrounding Teacup is what you should be watching for. The way these first two episodes unravel while making more questions is fascinating. Stick through a first episode that has a lot of worldbuilding and introductions and you’ll be rewarded with a thrilling and mysterious second episode to hook you. The first two episodes are streaming on Peacock right now and new episodes release every week until Halloween.
For more on Halloween, make sure to check out Fright-A-Thon.