Manifest's Flight 828

What about that season finale for Manifest!?! NBC has a very hot series on their hands if they don't screw it up like they absolutely did with Timeless. Could they? Oh yeah... 

Passengers on Montego Flight 828 disappear and return home 5 years later. The problem is they haven't aged but the rest of the world has moved on. Creator Jeff Rake brings a warm sense of family to a complex conspiracy theory. Yet, unlike Timeless, there's not a hint of humor to be found here to break the tension.

Melissa Roxburgh plays the tough but tender Detective Michaela Stone, who with her brother Ben and nephew Cal (Josh Dallas and Jack Messina, respectively) were aboard the ill-fated flight. Upon their return, Ben's wife Grace (Athena Karkanis) struggles, and Michaela's fiancee Jared (J.R. Ramirez) has turmoil all his own. 

After five years lost, Mom is now dead and gone, leaving adult children Michaela and Ben to constantly ponder their parent's favorite quote, "All things work together for good". It's right from the Bible's book of Romans. The whole quote is "And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose". What chapter and verse in Romans? 8:28, of course.  

Favorite TV Couples

It seems only appropriate to take a look at some of our favorite television couples on Valentine's Day! Let's start with one that's been debated ever since the end of the series: Monica and Richard on Friends. This was the real love affair that should have lasted. Tom Selleck's character brought charm and confidence, and he was the perfect foil to Monica's anxiety and her overbearing need to control every circumstance. Chandler and Monica? Well, they was almost as bad an idea as Joey and Rachel.

He didn't' deserve her.

Fast forward a few years. Castle's greatest strength was always in its relationship between witty playboy novelist Richard Castle and the beautiful, smart detective Kate Beckett. The drama was good, the backstory compelling, the supporting cast first class, but the tension between Kate and Castle commanded center stage. Nathan Fillion and Stana Katic brought depth to what could have been stereotypical characters. It's too bad that their bad blood in real life ruined a great television show!

He didn't honor her.

Who didn't love Lucy? Desi Arnaz certainly did on the show- but in real life his "romantic connections" beyond his marriage eventually doomed it to failure. When will we learn it never pays to break our marriage vows? Lucille Ball remained a beloved icon all of her days for good reason. She was funny, smart, talented, and a great business woman. A woman ahead of her time.

Bringing out each other's best.

The Crawleys of Downton Abbey are high on the television couples list. Matthew's strength and kindness - with a determination to do what is right- played magnificently against Mary's often shrewd, cold, seemingly heartless pragmatism. Like true love always does in a marriage, the best traits are brought out in each partner as they walk down their road together. However long or short it may be.

He worked hard to get her.

Wade and Zoe. Season One of The Hart of Dixie certainly makes you think it will be "Golden Boy George Tucker" who will win her affections. My wife and I really enjoy this take on Doc Hollywood as we love the South with all its peculiarities. Some of the supporting characters are our favorites on the show, but I was always rooting for dark horse Wade Kinsella to win Zoe's heart.

It took him awhile to see who she was, but he got there.

I'm still pissed that NBC cancelled this show. (Yes, I meant to say that!) Timeless was one of the best series to hit the airwaves in years. Lucy and Wyatt. You knew it was going to happen, Ma'am. You really did. It's too bad a pending cancellation caused the writers and producers to rush the story line. And it robbed viewers of what should have been years of great historically based time adventure stories. Sometimes television's modern business demands for instant profitability are worse than those from Rittenhouse. 

He grew up, too.

Marlo Thomas did have a career before playing Rachel's mother on Friends. She and Ted Bessell, played Donald and Ann Marie to 50's/60's relational sensibilities (wise man, childlike woman) but there was a sweet relationship there where each brought more to the relationship than what was seen at first glance. No worries, friends, television would attempt to correct this problem, eventually swinging the pendulum to the other end of the extreme. Men became buffoons and women the wise keeper of sanity and the family unit. One day, they will get it right and present a balanced realistic view of what each partner contributes.

My favorite TV couple? The one who sits on our couch watching these shows! None of these women remotely compare to my beautiful and wise wife! My Valentine's Day blind date years ago. Happy Valentine's Day to my one true love...

Big Night for Timeless- The Final Adventure

It's with very mixed emotions that tonight is finally here. I'm a huge fan of Timeless, and I'm thrilled the television honchos have given fans one last hurrah to wrap up the series. That's the real problem as well! This small screen show packs a punch bigger than most found on the silver screen. It is at once intelligent, heartfelt, and powerful. The writers have given us a storyline that mesmerizes, but the cast is what pulls it together. 

The ensemble works so well- like a family reunion that goes off without a hitch. Abigail Spencer, Malcolm Barrett, and Matt Lanter form the team you'd want having your back, and they face two (one) of the greatest television villains ever: Goran Višnjić and Annie Wersching. 

Thanks to everyone involved for a great show- even if it was never given enough time to truly earn its place for more than two seasons. But what a ride it was!

Last Ride for the Lifeboat

I know it has to be this way, but I just refuse to accept it! The great television series Timeless will conclude with a two hour episode on December 20. Information has been almost non-existent aside from the leak that it will encompass two continents and two different eras. Lucy, Wyatt, Rufus and pals (and enemies I'm sure!) will go off for their last ride into the sunset. Unbelievable. They'll be missed!

Timeless Movie Coming in December

Calling all clockblockers! Timeless will finally get it's two hour long wrap up movie! Lucy and Wyatt and team will get to close out the excellent series in a manner that should satisfy fans while the networks still stick to their "No 3rd Season" stance. One bad decision has eventually led to a smart one. I'll be watching, won't you?

Maybe in Another Era- It's Over for Timeless

The time has passed. Unless there's another miracle renewal, fan favorite- and in this household too- Timeless has been cancelled. With so many awful to mediocre series being renewed, I shouldn't be surprised that such an elegant and intelligent show would be cancelled on network television.

Thank you to the incredible cast and crew and writers. Special call out to two villains- the wonderful Goran Višnjić, playing one of the most complex and sympathetic bad guys ever; and the deliciously evil Emma, played by Annie Wersching. (She had us mesmerized as Dr. Kelly Nieman on Castle as well.)

Not to say the Good Guys weren't great! This season showed the depth of each character due to some fine acting all around. 

Favorite "fun" episode- Probably "Party at Castle Varlar"...

... or maybe "The Lost Generation", but they are all so, so good! 

Both Season One and Season Two finales left us with a "I can't believe that happened" jaw-dropped mouth. Great writing, great acting, great stories. 

Thanks again, everyone. Well done.

What's It Gonna Be? Season Three?

NBC, it is time to give us all an answer- and you'd better choose wisely! Timeless is just to good to let it slip away. You keep messing with the time slot, changing the day, and now keeping us all in suspense. Give this great show a chance to develop and a time slot that allows it to build an audience and a storyline. Good things take time. Is it always about the money?

#RenewTimeless

After last night's epic Season Two finale, is there anything left to do than to renew Timeless? It's smart, focused, and full of great performances. Particularly last night, Abigail Spencer's striking portrayal of the ever-changing leader, Lucy and the feud with baddie Emma, expertly played by Annie Wersching. (Man, she was deliciously evil on Castle as well!) . C'mon NBC! Get to it and renew this show!

Timeless Moments

Frankly, my wife and I absolutely love the show Timeless! The cast is gifted, passionate about their story, and undeniably fun on and off camera. The unfolding tale is compelling, even if Season Two feels a bit rushed at times. I'm fairly certain that's a concession to gaining a larger audience. 

Correcting an earlier obvious gaffe, the series is finally including more of the very complex villain / now perhaps good guy Garcia Flynn. Excellently played by Goran Višnjić, he's crafted one of the most interesting characters ever found on television. Here's some truth: Even an excellent episode is made better by him being in it. It's about time.

Timeless Question

It's Good Friday for we who believe and so commemorate the passion of Jesus of Nazareth. More than a prophet, He is God the Son in the flesh.

Jesus is controversial- and His story timeless. Magazines still devote cover stories to Him, books continue to be written, songs composed, and films made. Each piece brings to the forefront Jesus' own question to his disciple Peter, and it is one we all must answer: "Who do you say I am?"

It's Time(less)

The countdown is almost over! Lucy, Wyatt, and Rufus return to save the world from Garcia Flynn or will they work together to defeat Rittenhouse? Tonight Timeless Season Two begins. It's about time.

Beautiful Romance

"Romantic love is blind to everything except what is lovable and lovely..." It's a nice beginning to a beautiful and timeless truth. This quote by Frederick Buechner strikes me for its encouragement and also, surprisingly, its bluntness. Continuing "...but Christ's love see us with terrible clarity and sees us whole. Christ's love so wishes our joy that it is ruthless against everything in us that diminishes our joy. The worst sentence Love can pass is that we behold the suffering which Love has endured for our sake, and that is also our acquittal. The justice and mercy of the judge are ultimately one."

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)

Seems Like An Eternity

... but it's worth waiting for. 

Timeless Cliffhanger

Is it the end or is it the beginning? After viewing last night's very riveting episode of Timeless, it was hard to tell which it will be. Now it is up to the powers that be at NBC to decide whether or not this excellent show deserves a second season and a chance to build an audience. 

These days, it seems its all about the money. Clearly, this show is expensive to produce. But with great characters- including one of the most layered and complex villains ever seen on the small screen, Garcia Flynn, played by the incredible Goran Višnjić- it's a show worth growing into. 

The ensemble cast is key to the story, and they are a gifted one. Each brings true gold in their performance, and most importantly, none of the actors seem to be obsessed with taking a star turn, making each shine all the more brighter. In contrast, the supporting roles are less complex and developed, but as we can tell by the twists and turns of the season finale, that is about to change in ways we never expected.

Much is rightly made of Malcolm Barrett who brings Rufus to life with his rich and nuanced portrayal. Abigail Spencer's gifted heroine Lucy Preston positively shines, particularly when we see her starstruck by meeting her historical heroes (Ernest Hemingway, Josephine Baker, Abraham Lincoln).

Yet, there's something about the man that's not often given his due.  Matt Lanter's Wyatt is also very complex and very well played. His ongoing sense of duty, sacrifice, true justice, and real bravery may drive him, but he also contains a decent amount of personality flaws. In spite of it all, he presses on. He fights. He perseveres. Wyatt's heroic and fractured nature, as with all humans, is blended with characteristics not easily noticed at first glance. See how he honors his fellow time travelers, stands by them, and how he does it all with a sense of true humility? There's a fine balance in the playing the character here, and Lanter seems to handle his role as effortlessly as does the rest of the cast in theirs. Certainly, humility is not a virtue that is often played to great effect on either small or large screen- and it clearly doesn't seem to be valued much in real life either. 

Timeless deftly manages the delicate task of creating an incredibly entertaining show while also subtly making social commentary that does not alienate viewers on either side of the political spectrum. In that way, the writers succeed in drawing people together. This is something our country sorely needs as we've been divided due to the arrogance of our last several presidents and their respective political parties. And the media which plays it all for profit.

Will Season Two come to pass? Who knows? But in the meantime, if you haven't already, check out the show from the beginning. It's smart, well written, well acted, often slyly humorous ("... James Bond is hitting on Lucy!") and lots of fun.

Timeless Shows Potential

What on earth could Abraham Lincoln, Frank Sinatra, and James Bond have in common? The answer: Seeds for a potentially captivating television series.

After the disappointment of what happened to Castle- an end of a series less than idyllic- I was skeptical we would find a television show of much interest, something with substance, humor, heart, and style. Then along came Timeless. 

Missing the first half of the premier episode was not a good way to begin judging a show for long term viewing. As my wife turned the channel to it, I was captured by the late 30's focused episode about the Hindenburg. Granted, the music of the era is truly timeless and the fashions beyond cool (the fedora is still being worn today), but I was still not 100% sold. 

Abigail Spencer's Lucy Preston is a likable if nervous history professor turned spy. She balances a fine line between compelling and not yet being the focus of the show. On the other end of the spectrum, Wyatt, played by Matt Lanter, started off written as fairly one dimensional. The most interesting of the trio so far is Rufus, Malcolm Barrett's hero caught in the middle of some spy on spy melodrama. 

I was satisfied enough to give the show a second viewing... and a third, and a fourth. The series continues to get more interesting as the characters grow richer, deeper, more complex. The artistic direction is beautifully done, and the tales increasingly of interest- even if history is altered a la Forrest Gump. 

Overall, it's not Beckett and Castle, but it is what it is. Who knows? It could end up being a favorite of mine. With likable characters, stylish representation, growing humor, and limitless ideas to draw from, the series could last awhile. The possibility of it becoming this fan's favorite new show increases each week. Unlike so many others, I'm happily willing to give this one a chance.