Sex on beach: 'Titans' debuts

By Melissa Gollob

For the Daily

TV Titan Aaron Spelling ("Beverly Hills, 90210") brings another full-hour drama to NBC primetime this fall with "Titans." "Titans" is a sophisticated adult drama that sets itself apart from ordinary daytime soap operas. It's complete with passion, deception and betrayal. ("Melrose Place" anyone?)

The show focuses on the powerful Williams family and how it struggles with problems, old and new. Casper Van Dien ("Starship Troopers") stars as prodigal son Chandler who returns home to Beverly Hills from the Air Force just in time for his father's engagement party. There he encounters his soon-to-be stepmother Heather (Yasmine Bleeth, "Baywatch"), who he already "knows" very well from his days as a care-free fighter pilot.

Chandler's divorced parents have staked themselves out in mansions across the street from each other to keep everyone close and make meddling in each other's lives easier. Gwen (Victoria Principal, "Dallas") and ex-hubby Richard (Perry King, "Melrose Place") try to maintain a normal relationship with their four children, but when Richard decides to wed Heather, the family begins to rip itself apart.

The Williams run their own aviation empire, Williams Global Enterprises. Richard and Gwen make sure their children live in luxury, but having everyone working together usually divides them, causing countless life-altering conflicts.

Chandler enjoys reunions with the rest of his family, including his recovering alcoholic sister Jenny (Elizabeth Bogush, "Felicity"), jealous brother Peter (John Barrowman), defensive overprotecting sister Laurie (Josie Davis, "Beverly Hills 90210") and old friend turned personal assistant Samantha Sanchez (Lourdes Benedicto, "NYPD Blue").

"Titans" shows as much skin as possible, taking into account it's on a network in a relatively early time spot. Most of the sexuality is implied by shots that show clothes dropping to the ground, followed by close ups of bare legs or shoulders. This does not take away from the sexiness of the scenes, but rather focuses it because so much of the action happens off camera.

The drawbacks to "Titans" can be summed up in one word: Complicated. There are ten characters introduced throughout the first show alone and it's very difficult to catch all their names let alone their importance. However, there are scenes that help explain, such as the boardroom meeting of Williams Global Enterprises that defines all of thechildren's jobs in the company.

With all of the twisted relationships in the show, complication actually provides humor as well. Especially when Heather decides to go meet Gwen, the ex-wife, by bringing her a piece of misdelivered mail. Their repartee about nothing and everything brings out the nasty side of each and shows us what great moments are yet to come.

"Titans" is full of intricately woven stories that make the characters' lives extremely complex and interesting. This dysfunctional group of poor little rich kids will definitely get into more trouble than anyone can imagine. One piece of advice: don't miss the final wedding scene. It's worth wait in shock value alone.