Beauty and the Beast
1987
Original language: English
- sci-fi & fantasy
- crime
- drama
The story
Savvy Assistant District Attorney Catherine Chandler is saved by a noble, beast-like man named Vincent, who lives in a secret, utopian community beneath New York City. They share a psychic bond, and he protects her from above.
What it’s like
Warm amber lamplight in underground tunnels set against the grime of late-80s Manhattan, with the show's deliberately soft, golden glow contrasting the gritty street-level scenes of subway platforms, rain-slicked sidewalks and dim precinct offices. Camera work is mostly unhurried medium shots and two-shots, with the Tunnels rendered as a hushed, candlelit refuge of stone arches and quiet corridors. Ron Perlman's Vincent is mostly felt through stillness and restrained gesture, while Roy Dotrice's paternal Father provides a gentle, reflective counterpoint, and the synth-tinged score swells softly over emotional beats. The vibe is wistful, romantic and faintly melancholy, a fairy tale with a crime-drama spine that suits a rainy evening, a comfort rewatch or quiet late-night viewing. Pacing is episodic and measured, with each case unfolding at a comfortable speed, and the emotional arc follows Catherine and Vincent slowly building trust across a world divided between light and shadow. Violence appears in occasional brawls and criminal threats, usually brief and not graphic, though some episodes carry moderate peril and menace. It is for viewers who enjoy romantic fantasy, mild crime procedural elements and a tender, otherworldly atmosphere.
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