Complex historical thriller 'Labyrinth' is smart, sophisticated

Here is one of the most mysterious TV projects of the year. Labyrinth is a surprisingly sophisticated historical thriller made more than two years ago (the late Tony Scott is listed as an executive producer) airing as a four-hour miniseries on the CW, an outlet which has rarely exhibited an interest in such grown-up fare.

The miniseries, scheduled on consecutive nights (Thursday and Friday at 8 p.m.), is based on Kate Mosse's international bestseller.

It takes place on two planes: one in 13th-century France where Jessica Brown Findlay (oh, how we miss Lady Sybil on Downton Abbey) is desperately trying to hide the secret of the Holy Grail from religious fanatics, and one in modern-day France, where the plucky but puzzled Vanessa Kirby is trying to recover it before it falls into the wrong hands.

Only the Grail is not a chalice. What exactly is it? And what does the maze of the title refer to? And how does reincarnation figure into all this?

Labyrinth is a challenging viewing proposition, demanding close attention and patience. (That alone makes it different from almost everything else on TV this week.) For example, the drama opens with the venerable John Hurt digging in the dirt. But you don't find out who he is or which side he's on - in fact, you rarely see him again - until deep into the second night.

There's lots of historical hugger-mugger, shadowy conspiracies, secret societies, and villains who say things such as, "I'll make honest Christians of these people even if I have to kill every last one of them to do it."

There are excellent siege and battle scenes (particularly by TV standards). And the cast, which includes Tom Felton, Sebastian Stan, Katie McGrath, Tony Curran, John Lynch, and others, is large and appealing.

Still, Labyrinth is most remarkable as a curiosity: a thorny theo-historical miniseries with unusual European pacing and flavor airing on an incongruous venue the week after the TV season has ended.

It's got ratings smash written all over it.

Labyrinth

8 p.m. Thursday and Friday on CW57EndText

215-854-4552 @daveondemand_tv