Seven episodes into its shortened 10-episode season as one of NBC’s midseason replacements, “The Cape” has not diverted from the basic conflict established in the first episode. The main character, Vince Faraday (David Lyons), neither succeeds nor fails and finds himself no closer to reaching his goals of returning to his family and defeating Chess (James Frain), the notorious villain that framed Vince for his own crimes and then tried to kill him. Without any indication that Vince is seeking a resolution, the show has become boring.

On top of that, its 9 p.m. timeslot and one-hour time span makes “The Cape” just one of many crime-related dramas airing on Monday nights.

The show is based in the fictitious Palm City, a place brimming with corruption and crime, most of which has been caused by Chess. Chess is the alter ego of Peter Fleming, the CEO of Ark Industries, which is the mysterious company that heads the local law enforcement. With Ark Industries in control, Chess can eliminate those who stand in his way, including Vince, a Palm City cop.

Unbeknownst to Chess, Vince isn’t dead but at a carnival being taught how to manipulate the capabilities of a powerful cape. That knowledge helps Vince take on the persona of The Cape, his son’s favorite comic book hero, and with the help of Orwell (Summer Glau), an elusive blogger, he begins his crusade to rid the city of corruption.

The necessary ingredients for a good show are there. The cast has committed to their parts, and their relationships, their emotions and their struggles are all believable. The motif of double roles helps tie the show together. Chess is a ruthless criminal, while Peter takes more of an interest in what makes people tick. Vince’s bitterness and frustration combined with the show’s dark lighting evokes a twisted mood that serves as a metaphor for the corruption in Palm City. Yet, as The Cape, Vince is driven to right the wrongs that have been done and bring justice to the city.

While the double roles help add depth to the show, they cannot compensate for the ambiguity of the remaining characters. Vince discovers that the man he thought was his best friend, Marty Voyt (Dorian Missick), is Chess’s right hand man. Yet Marty remains a “friend” to the Faraday family. The viewers learn little about Orwell and therefore question her need to assist Vince and defeat Chess. Chess is a villain, but the viewers cannot help but sympathize with his inadequate social skills, particularly as he and The Cape develop respect for one another. As a result, details are vague and many characters remain underdeveloped and confusing. How is that enjoyable? It only makes the show more disappointing.

Even more frustrating is that the show is unmemorable. It is based around the traditional plot of a hero seeking justice, an idea that has been presented hundreds of times with more entertainment and intrigue. This is a show that, with all of its potential, could be completely innovative, yet it settles for mediocrity.

It’s no wonder that the show had low ratings and thus had its season shortened from its original 13 episodes. If the show can’t quickly find a better way to take advantage of its distinct components and become a more compelling show, it will be cancelled and quickly forgotten.