"Journeyman" (2007)
Rated: unknown
Starring: Kevin McKidd, Gretchen Egolf, Reed Diamond, Moon Bloodgood
SUMMARY: San Francisco news paper reporter Dan Vassar randomly starts traveling through time against his will to help people while dealing with his marriage potentially falling apart, a brother who resents him, and an ex-fiancé…who was supposed to be dead.
Wow. I didn't know what to expect when I put this pilot in. A guy traveling through time to help people? Sounds like a rip-off of "Quantum Leap." But it was very, very different, and by the end I almost, not quite, but almost had goosebumps.
Kevin McKidd, of "Rome" fame, has such an energy and power that you really can't take your eyes off him, but at the same time you totally believe his vulnerable moments. The rest of the cast is equally engaging.
Like I said, the concept sounds like the Scott Bakula starring late-80's hit "Quantum Leap." But that show had a much lighter tone than this one. "Journeyman" has a heart. Of course, having a heart, as any lover knows, doesn't always mean it feels good. At times you truly hurt because of what Vasser has to go through. He's completely at the mercy of his time jumping which takes him away from some very important people and moments in his own life in order to help someone else.
I'm a superhero guy. Batman is probably my favorite with the X-Men's Wolverine a close second. This is definitely a superhero story. But the twist is the family. Normally, a superhero either is called to his destiny before he really has a life to lose or after he's already lost that life. Dan Vasser is struggling to salvage his marriage and relationship with his young son. When he starts jumping, things just get worse. He's definitely a superhero, but he's just about the most human superhero I've ever seen.
The acting, as I said, was top notch. The story and writing are great, as you would expect from former "The West Wing" writers. Also, the story has legs. Looks like they'll be able to sustain this for many years.
Content wise, I remember no language. There was probably some, but I don't remember it. Violence, a guy gets hit by a bus. That's about it for the pilot episode (remember, I'm only reviewing the one episode), but it is a superhero story. So, I expect some more violent episodes to come. Gore, even the guy hit by the bus didn't seem too badly hurt…I mean he was dead, but it wasn't gruesome. Sexuality/nudity, two women are seen in lingerie, and considering they subject matter of Vasser dealing with both his wife and a former flame, there will probably be more racy scenes in the series. I don't know if it'll be "NYPD Blue" racy, but expect some. It's on the 10/9c hour, which implies some adult content.
Having seen the pilot now for "Chuck" and "Journeyman" and know that in between them is "Heroes," I am really looking forward to Monday nights this fall. Thank you NBC. You have ALMOST redeemed yourself for canceling "Studio 60."…Almost.
OVERALL: 8
LANGUAGE: 1
VIOLENCE: 2
GORE: .5
SEXUALITY: 1.5
NUDITY: 2
