I’ve been keeping my ear to the ground for any news on NBC’s plans for Bionic Woman. However, on my travels I have encountered what I can only describe as ‘bashing’ from fans and critics disappointed with Michelle Ryan’s (MR) contribution to the floundering Bionic Woman series.

Some of the comments on the nytimes tvdecoder blog, in particular, leave no doubt as to their feelings regarding MR’s performance. Here’s a sample:

It’s pretty simple: Michele Ryan is a car wreck, and there’s no rebuilding her. She mistakes oogling her giant, expressive eyes for acting. The writing is generally stiff and unengaging. — Posted by Janet V

Michelle Ryan? Bless her heart- awful. Really, just about the worst actor I’ve seen a show built around since Emeril Lagasse. Not many people can make a line that reads as bad as “That saving the world thing? I’d like to give it a try,” and deliver it so it sounds even WORSE. Ryan sunk to the occasion. — Posted by howlless

The problem in a nutshell: Michelle Ryan ain’t no Jennifer Garner. Nor is she a Lindsey Wagner.

— Posted by Phil

Whilst I realise that these views are supplemented with many positive views about MR, from what I have seen a lot of the recent criticisms of the show are beginning to focus on the lead actress. I am surprised that MR is under such attack – sure, she wasn’t outstanding but in my opinion she’s miles better than the entire female cast of ‘Heroes’ and Evangeline Lilly from ‘LOST’ (no offense, Evie), yet I don’t see them getting bashed for their acting ability, not to this degree.

Sorry, but I have to defend Michelle Ryan’s corner because she has shown vast improvement over the course of 8 episodes. Doesn’t that deserve credit? The main problem with BW is the writing – it has been terrible, it has been disjointed and it has been ‘insecure’ – it has tried to please, but has failed to find it’s voice after the first showrunner left. Sure, great actors can sometimes carry a show – heaven knows Jack Coleman has just about carried Season 2 of Heroes – but Ryan is not a great actress, not ‘yet’ (that’s not to say she won’t be). She is a fresh actress, in a new country, with her first breakout series. Yes, she does deserve criticism, as does every person who is judged on performance, but personally I don’t think she should shoulder the blame for Bionic Woman’s ills. Could anyone else really have made the show ‘better’? I’m not so sure they could – not when the likes of Miguel Ferrer, Isaiah Washington and even ‘cult hero’ Katee Sackhoff, have at times, struggled in their own performances.

It’s good, however, that the show is still provoking so much opinion – that’s what it’s all about and that’s what NBC need to recognise. Yes, the show has, by and large, sucked so far, but the show is STILL a major talking point and still has so much in reserve. Let’s just hope that Michelle Ryan and friends get the chance to give the fans something positive to talk about.

C’mon NBC, give us the ‘edgy’, ‘dark’ and ‘captivating’ Bionic Woman we were promised! Remember that? Can’t we, like, just go back to that?

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* I should add, that in regards to the crisitsms being laid at Michelle Ryan’s door, she is also receiving much love from some quarters. Keep your head up girl!