Two episodes in, and this one still hasn't moved past "just OK" for me.
I really like the concept behind the show, and its ideas. I'm intrigued by the notion that these characters, having seen part of their futures, are now creating that very future by trying to live up to that vision. I like the idea, put forth early in this episode by Mark's AA sponsor, that this is a shared global experience. As I said in last week's post, that's something not a lot of shows have going for them.
At the same time, I find myself watching FlashForward and wishing for richer characters, less broad, clunky attempts at humor and better, much better, dialogue. Too much of the dialogue is expository, and so far, none of the characters have made much of an impression on me, except for maybe John Cho's Agent Noh.
The big mystery surrounding his character -- does his lack of a flash forward mean that he won't be alive in six months -- is answered tonight, as he learns he'll apparently be murdered on March 15, roughly a month before the date everyone saw in their vision.
Another blackout related mystery -- Olivia's vision of herself with another man -- is so far proving to be the show's most irritating plot line, and I worry we're going to have to suffer through a few more weeks of "I'd never cheat on you" talks between Joseph Fiennes and Sonya Walger.
Still, I'll be coming back next week, if only because of what happens in the last few minutes of tonight's episode: Cho's revelation (you could do an entire series just about someone who finds out they'll be murdered in six months) and Mark's daughter's closing line.
Other thoughts:
- The woman who gave Noh his news was played by Shoreh Agdashloo, who was one of 24's best ever villains.
- A carrot cake cupcake sounds pretty appetizing.
- Can we have a moratorium on the use of children singing nursery rhymes over ominous music in an effort to be "creepy"? Same thing with disembodied dolls.
- Wouldn't this global blackout be the subject of a HUGE investigation? There's like three agents on it, and they basically decided to do it on their own, without any sanction from Washington.
Tom Coombe
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