Swingtown

This provocative new series explores the shifting cultural and moral climate of the 1970s as reflected in the diverse attitudes and choices of two generations of neighbors. Susan and Bruce Miller (Molly Parker and Jack Davenport) relocate to a new neighborhood, leaving friends Roger and Janet Thompson (Josh Hopkins, Miriam Shor) behind. The Millers discover their new neighbors Tom and Trina Decker (Grant Show and Lana Parilla) have a not-so-secret pastime. They quickly become friends with the Deckers, to the dismay of the prudish and possessive Janet. After a group camping trip and an incident with some marijuana brownies, Janet starts to loosen up, but remains unaware of the nature of the Deckers’ and the Millers’ relationship. Producer Mike Kelley captures the styles, mood and music of the mid-’70s without being cheesy (exception: Grant Show’s mustache) or overly exhibitionist. Janet’s character can be gratingly shrewish, but Trina’s minky voice and oozing sexuality are mesmerizing. Susan is a quietly strong housewife coming into her own during a time when women’s roles began changing dramatically. The men seem somewhat interchangeable … and they are. It will be interesting to see how the “open relationships” affect each couple’s marriage in the long run, and if there is negative fallout from the kids’ perspective. After all, they have to know.