Based on Nevada Barr’s extensive book series, USA Network’s new original drama “Anna Pigeon” follows a law enforcement ranger who trades her career as a Broadway stage manager for the lush grounds of Montana’s fictional Glacier National Park. Hyper-focused on her job and running from the life she left behind, Anna Pigeon (“Chicago P.D.” alum Tracy Spiridakos) pushes through her pain (literally) to solve crimes in the park. However, despite an absolutely breathtaking backdrop and a stellar lead performance, “Anna Pigeon” feels like a dry, monotonous rehashing of Netflix’s “Virgin River.”
The 10-episode first season (critics received six for review) opens in the early hours of the morning, when Anna is startled awake by a phone call. Her supervisor, Geoff Miller (Ryan Northcott), is concerned that another Glacier ranger hasn’t checked in. This call kicks Anna into action. Untangling herself from the hunky man in her bed, she starts brewing her coffee, determined to find out what happened to her missing colleague. The audience is quickly made aware that Anna’s job goes beyond the scope of a typical park ranger. Armed and tenacious — almost to her peril — she also enforces the rule of law. Hyper-focused on tracking down the lost ranger, Anna ignores Geoff’s guidance, sage advice and the concern from her mentee, Zoey Bear Child (Paulina Alexis), to determine what happened. She also goes behind Geoff’s back in her investigation, involving FBI Special Agent Frederick Stanton (Ronnie Rowe), who’s an old friend, which eventually puts her in the crosshairs of Jeremiah Paulson (Kim Coates), a creepy, wealthy landowner who has little patience for Anna’s meddling.
