Even before Lost ended its six year run on ABC, the network had been trying to find a suitable replacement. Most of the thinking shows didn’t last more than one season. Sometimes it’s just easier to admit that there will never be another Lost, no matter how much ABC wants to recapture that magic. But ABC doesn’t seem ready to give in yet, because last year they hoped that a series called FlashForward would be able to take its place. It might have been able to, if it wasn’t for the lousy timing and horrible scheduling from ABC after they decided to take it off the air for 3 months, while the Winter Olympics aired on NBC. Did FlashForward really have the potential to be the next Lost or was it just another copycat series that was destined for only one season?
FlashForward is loosely based on the sci-fi novel of the same name by Robert J. Sawyer. The basic premise of the series is what would happen if everyone in the world blacked out at precisely the same time and for precisely the same amount of time, which is 137 seconds in this case? But what if everyone also happened to see a “flashforward” of what their lives are like six months into the future? For some, their futures will be happy and hopeful of the future; for others, their futures will be unexpected and depressing; and then for a very few, their futures don’t seem to exist at all. How would their revelation affect their lives, good or bad, if they lived to tell about it in the first place? Can their destiny be changed, and if so, how will that effect others around them?
On October 6, 2009 that is exactly what happens, and the FBI is hot on the case. FBI Special Agent Mark Benford (Joseph Fiennes) appears to be the lead man in charge of finding all the clues that seem to help the FBI figure out what exactly happened and who or what might have caused this unusual event that killed millions of Americans in the process? Mark is a recovering alcoholic, whose wife, Olivia (Sonya Walger) is a surgeon at the local hospital, and his partner is Special Agent Demetri Noh (John Cho), who experienced no flashforward and thus believes he’s going to be dead in six months. In addition, there is Assistant Director Stanford Wedeck (Courtney B. Vance), the head of the FBI L.A. unit called Mosaic that tries to assemble an international database for flashforwards and look for patterns; Aaron Stark (Brian F. O’Byrne), Mark’s AA sponsor and close friend whose daughter was killed in service in Afghanistan; Special Agent Janis Hawk (Christine Woods), a lesbian who sees herself pregnant into the future; and Lloyd Simcoe (Jack Davenport), a professor whose wife dies during the blackout, leaving him to care for his autistic son, and causing more issues in Mark’s life since he is with Mark’s wife on April 29, 2010.
If you watch a few episodes of FlashForward will quickly see that it’s almost a carbon copy of Lost. Just like Lost started with a plane crash, FlashForward stars with an even bigger chaotic event that affects the entire planet. Both shows are also a mix of action, mystery, and science-fiction. Phenomenological elements, numbers, and conspiracy also factor greatly in solving the ultimate mystery for each series. FlashForward even has their own group of “Others” that have no future at all, which likely means they are dead in 6 months. The similarities exist everywhere, but FlashForward is the more melodramatic of the two programs. We know that everyone will be connected to each other in some way, but there seems to be too much focus on the interpersonal relationship drama side of the show and not as much on the conspiracy and science-fiction elements. FlashForward also starts to feel like every other average police procedural drama out there, since the majority of the main characters all work for the FBI.
What really separates this series over all other shows that attempted to be like Lost is the acting. From top to bottom, the cast is outstanding. Joseph Fiennes and John Cho lead the way for sure. But really the person that steals every scene he is in is Dominic Monaghan, who plays a quantum physicist named Dr. Simon Campos, who also works with Dr. Lloyd Simcoe. Monaghan’s character has a very sinister side to him, and he plays the perfect villain here. That said, there are a lot of characters to keep track of, so it can easily be confusing. But the same can be said of Lost.
FlashForward could easily be dismissed as a copycat Lost series, as It demands your time, attention, and thinking to understand what is going on and connect everything together. At times, there seems to be too much going on at a slower pace than that island show, though. Still the excellent acting and intriguing premise will keep most people, who want to put on their “thinking caps”, coming back episode after episode.
Episodes:
Disc One:
Episode 1 – No More Good Days
A mysterious global event causes everyone to black out simultaneously for two minutes and seventeen seconds during which each person sees a glimpse of their lives six months from now, as of April 29, 2010. As the story begins, a character is saved from suicide and others have to face confusing situations. We also begin to learn some things about the mysterious “Mosaic Collective”.
Episode 2 – White To Play
Mark and Demetri go to Utah to investigate a lead on a suspect who might have a connection to the global blackout. Olivia sees the man from her flashforward, while her daughter Charlie is having trouble dealing with hers.
Episode 3 – 137 Sekunden
Mark and Janis arrive in Germany to discuss the past events regarding the blackouts. Demetri fears about his future. Meanwhile, Aaron tries to get Mark to help him with an appeal.
Episode 4 – Black Swan
Olivia finds it difficult to take advice from Bryce. Mark and Demetri come to disagree with each other. While Nicole goes back to work and has a shocking premonition.
Episode 5 – Gimme Some Truth
Mark is questioned about his flashforward during a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing. Janis ponders on how the future will make an impact on her current romantic relationship. Meanwhile, Olivia gets a tip about Mark’s flashforward.
Disc Two:
Episode 6 – Scary Monsters and Super Creeps
Demetri and Gough try to determine the links between the two attacks on the Mosaic team and follow up on a clue from Mark’s Mosaic board. Lloyd is heartbroken when his son goes missing from the hospital, and finds Dylan in a most unexpected place. Meanwhile, Stan keeps watch over the injured Janis and Olivia and Mark finally learn each other’s secrets.
Episode 7 – The Gift
Mark, Demetri, Gough and MI6 agent Fiona Banks investigate a Blue Hand club. A surprise visit sends Aaron back to square one about his late daughter. Demetri finally tells the truth to Zoey. Nicole volunteers at the hospital and decides to help Bryce with his flashforward.
Episode 8 – Playing Cards with Coyote
Mark gets a lead on the tattooed assassin that he saw in his flashforward. Simon and Lloyd play a game of poker to settle old scores. Aaron uncovers the harsh truth behind Tracy’s death. Janis has second thoughts about her career.
Episode 9 – Believe
Bryce begins his search for the woman he saw in his flashforward while Aaron is concerned about Tracy’s behavior. Mark tries to track down the person who sent Olivia the message about his drinking and Demetri’s co-agents try to find more information about the mysterious caller who forewarned his unfortunate fate.
Episode 10 – A561984
While Mark and Demetri travel to Hong Kong to find Demetri’s mysterious prophetess, Zoey realizes what her vision really means and Lloyd’s organization goes public with their involvement in the Blackout.
Disc Three:
Episodes 11 & 12 – Revelation Zero (Part 1 and Part 2)
While Demetri teams up with CIA agent Vogel to track down Lloyd, Mark must meet with a therapist to get back his badge. Meanwhile, Janis investigates Simon, and the identity of Suspect Zero is revealed.
Episode 13 – Blowback
Mark questions Lloyd about a phone conversation from their flashforwards, while Aaron seeks out the Jericho unit after his daughter. Meanwhile, Zoey tries to prevent Demetri’s destined future.
Episode 14 – Better Angels
In Somalia, Vogel and the others investigate the remaining tower for clues to the Blackout. Meanwhile, Olivia tries to convince Charlie to say what she saw during her flashforward, and Bryce tells Nicole that he has cancer.
Disc Four:
Episode 15 – Queen Sacrifice
While Mark and Vogel try to identify the mole in the FBI, Mark is forced to leave Charlie and Olivia alone to protect them. Meanwhile, Keiko searches L.A. to find Bryce, her flashforward love.
Episode 16 – Let No Man Put Asunder
After the mole confirms the date of his death, Demetri makes plans to marry Zoey prematurely. Meanwhile, Aaron works with Stan to infiltrate Jericho to find Tracy, and Lloyd and Olivia grow closer.
Episode 17 – The Garden of Forking Paths
While Mark and the other agents search for the missing Demetri, Zoey learns the price she’ll have to pay to save him. Meanwhile, Olivia discovers who sent her the text message about Mark’s drinking.
Episode 18 – Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
While Aaron begins his search for Tracy in Afghanistan, Olivia receives a call from Gabriel. Meanwhile, Mark realizes that a clue to the Blackouts is closer than he imagined, and Janis realizes she’s in over her head.
Disc Five:
Episode 19 – Course Correction
Simon turns to a reluctant Mark for help finding his missing sister Annabelle. Meanwhile, Demetri and Agent Banks join forces in the hunt for a killer but learn that escaping a flashforward destiny may not be as easy as they thought. Nicole learns where Bryce’s flashforward love Keiko is to be found, but is reluctant to tell him given her own feelings. And the FBI finally learn who Suspect Zero is.
Episode 20 – The Negotiation
On the eve of the flashforward day, the world waits to see what will and won’t come true from their visions. Meanwhile, Mark must protect Gabriel, Aaron finds Tracy and attempts to rescue her, and Simon meets the organization responsible for the Blackout.
Episode 21 – Countdown
While Mark interrogates Hellinger about the next Blackout, Janis and Simon secretly approach Demetri and ask for his help in stopping the coming event. Meanwhile, Aaron discovers why Jericho wants Tracy dead, and Nicole must make a fateful decision in her relationship with Bryce.
Episode 22 – Future Shock
It’s April 29, 2010, and the world waits to see if their flashforwards will be fulfilled. Meanwhile, Simon and Demetri try to stop the next Blackout from occurring.
The video is given in widescreen color with an aspect ratio of 1.78:1. It is enhanced for 16X9 TVs. Transfer is great with minimal distortion. Really about what you come to expect from a new series released on DVD these days. No major problems at all.
The audio included is available in English Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround sound. There are subtitles available in English, Spanish and French as well. The dialogue comes out crisp and clear. No major problems here either.
Audio Commentary – There is 1 audio commentary for this series. Actor, Dominic Monaghan and Executive Producer, Jessika Borsiczky comment on the two-part “Revelation Zero” episode that kicked off the second part of the series. Not that entertaining, but fairly informative.
“Architects of Destiny” Featurette – This runs 20 minutes and it’s a pilot-to-final episode look at how the series was conceived and shaped into what it became at the end. The cast and crew talk about their experience on working on the first day of ìFlashForwardî and talk about how they were cast for their role.
“Creating Castastrophe: The Effects of a Global Blackout” Featurette – This runs 20 minutes and it’s all about how the dramatic first scene was created. A lot of work went into making the blackout scenes, so it’s interesting to find out how these were all made.
“Flashforward on Set” Featurette – This runs 18 minutes total and contains five short featurettes. There is one called “Tempting Fate”, which features the scenes at the Blue Hand Club. There is another called “When Nature Calls”, which features a reshoot of two scenes from the pilot and the building of a bathroom set. There is a third one called “Emergency Operation”, which takes a look at the filming from the hospital. The fourth one is called “A Day in the Par”, and it’s all about the making of the bus crash scene. Finally, there is “Crash Forward”, which follows the filming of a car chase. Pretty interesting as a whole.
“Meet Yuko” Featurette – This runs 6 minutes, and it’s an introduction to popular the Japanese actress Yuko Takeuchi. We take a look at her first day on the set and meeting with the cast and executive producers.
“Kangaroo?” Featurette – This runs 2 minutes and the cast talk about the kangaroo on the freeway during their FlashForward. The cast and crew also talk about the kangaroo’s involvement during the FlashForward. Sorta like the mysterious polar bear on that Lost island.
Deleted Scenes – There is a total of 10 deleted scenes that didn’t make the final cut of the series. Nothing must-watch, though.
Blooper Reel – This is 3 minutes of the usual gags and mistakes from filming this series.
“Stories from the Mosaic” Interviews – This is another 16 minute collection of interviews with people, in character, about their FlashForward experiences. Here we listen to Abby, Adam, Andy, Edgar, Evelyn, Eliza, Jorge, Josie, and Nick talk about their experiences.
FlashForward might be considered a Lost copycat show, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth a rental for fans of Lost. This series is a good mix of action, mystery, and science-fiction, but overall it’s not as strong as Lost was. Obviously, stay away if you don’t want to think.
Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment presents FlashForward: The Complete Series. Created by Brannon Braga and David S. Goyer; Robert J. Sawyer (novel). Starring Joseph Fiennes, John Cho, Jack Davenport, Zachary Knighton, Peyton List, Brian F. OíByrne, Courtney B. Vance, Sonya Walger, Christine Woods, Lee Thompson Young, Ryan Wynott, Lennon Wynn, Dominic Monaghan, Genevieve Cortese, Barry Shabaka Henley, and Gabrielle Union. Running time: 909 minutes. Rated: Not Rated. Released on DVD: August 31, 2010.
