new show review: Eli Stone
February 1st, 2008 by screenwriterguy
You know when you go to a movie, and all the good parts are in the trailer?
That was pretty much what it was like to watch the pilot of Eli Stone. A lawyer suspects he is a prophet because he starts to hallucinate, including continued appearances from George Michael singing “Faith.”
They say Hollywood likes to see new projects that are the same but different. ES qualifies. There have been millions of lawyer shows–and at least one who took liberties with reality, in Allie McBeal–so same is covered. But someone realizing he’s a prophet is a new idea, so there’s your different, and there are enough fresh elements to this story to keep us curious.
Ultimately, however, the execution falls flat. The central arc was one about how, get this, ya gotta have faith. Yet this message is a watered-down spirituality designed to be the kind anyone can swallow. In my opinion, it’s complete lack of gravitas might thereby alienate both the agnostic and the religious. As well, while ABC executives have so often succeeded in fostering shows that master a dramatic-yet-light tone, this show is a bit off the mark in finding such a voice. The story feels rushed, and we never really feel any investment in Eli’s struggle to believe some divine forces is guiding him.
Best aspect: Victor Garber as Eli’s soon-to-be father-in-law who faces Eli in court.
Worst aspect: A closing summary that included the word “Faith” about a million times. We get it already.
Verdict: The commercial for next week’s episode looked like a plan to offer up more of the same. My expectation is that Eli Stone will be guilty of the same flaw I find in programs like Medium or Reaper, with the guiding divine force nudging the protagonist along, revealing how to solve that week’s puzzle a little at a time. (Why would God not just skip to the part where the good guy wins, if He’s going to go to the trouble of revealing clues?) I think I’ll avoid week 2 of this show.
Odds of success: ABC aims for young to middle-aged women with its prime time programming, and that demographic might be the ones most likely to describe themselves as “Not really religious, but definitely spiritual.” (If you can’t tell I was mocking them, re-read that last line with a bit of Valley Girl accent, and then roll your eyes on my behalf.) Still, while there are a lot of ingredients in place that are better than the average show, I’ll be surprised if ES hooks and keeps much of an audience.
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Feb 1st 2008 at 12:35 pm
Watched it. Liked it, but in the same way I like lukewarm tea with a liberal quantity of milk and sugar. It is certainly not challenging, and I can’t decide if I like it’s milquetoast spirituality or am mildly offended by it.
The whole response to: “But I don’t believe in God…” by the faux Dr. Chang (who I love as a character!!!) of ‘You believe in justice, you believe in love, etc…that’s God, Eli!” made me ponder a bit as to where exactly this show was going with things.
And aren’t you supposed to give the viewer at least 3 more seconds beyond what you see in the commercial of each cool thing? It should be a law by the FCC.
It did have some funny moments (”Is he mine” “Yes, I was pregnant for 8 years…”)
I doubt that I’ll watch this regularly, the way I watch NCIS or Heroes. But if it’s on, I probably won’t change the channel.
I agree with the demographic: I mean, who’d think that God would send a gay rock star to Wham! the prophet for our times into realizing his tasks by serenading him with Greatest Hits from College? That’s definitely more “spiritual” than “religious.” (It actually reminds me of going to a service at this big box evangelical church where they sang “Celebrate His Love - Come On! It’s a Celebration!” with a full band. (I left.)
I wonder what other “meaningful” songs they’ll come up with… We should all check our ipods and make a list.
I go for “If Ever I Loose My Faith In You” or “Brand New Day” by Sting.
Feb 1st 2008 at 1:45 pm
I watched it solely to catch that Oceanic commercial. It’s one of those shows that falls into the “meh” category. I won’t be a regular viewer.
Feb 2nd 2008 at 6:12 am
The second episode is entitled “Freedom.” Looks like they’re going with titles to George Michael songs. Personally, I liked his guest spot in Extras better.
Sounds like we’re all agreeing that this show is neither horrible nor anything special.