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FlashForward revolves around a dozen characters reacting to a global blackout (137 seconds long). The blackout causes everybody to see visions of events yet to happen, six months in the future. The main focus of the show is the FBI investigation into the causes of the blackout. “Mysterious” and “confusing” events ensue.
When I first heard about FlashForward during the summer I was instantly interested. All the right ingredients were there. The cast is great: Jack Davenport, John Cho, Joseph Fiennes - all reliable and entertaining actors. Plus - even more exciting - Dominic Monaghan and Sonya Walger were previously on LOST (for me, the best thing on TV for the past five years). The crew are very impressive as well. Perhaps you’ve enjoyed 24? The Dark Knight? CSI: Miami? The same guys behind these feature in the creation of FlashForward. This couldn’t disappoint, surely?
It was hard not to draw a comparison between FlashForward and LOST, and with LOST ending in May 2010, ABC have been desperately looking for something to fill the void. FlashForward’s storyline is also based around a mysterious disaster, and promotion for Season 6 of LOST tied in with the pilot of FlashForward - unsurprisingly, they were seen as of the same ilk. Appearing as a ray of light amongst a somewhat drab fall schedule, FlashForward immediately grabbed the attention of viewers and critics alike. All things considered, the “next LOST” was set to be mind-blowing.
Flash forward to the present. 10 episodes in and FlashForward might just be the biggest let down on TV. Ever. Despite having all the right ingredients, it makes very little of its exciting premise. The acting is either substandard or very weak. Few characters convince. The writing is insipid and predictable. Far from being the next LOST, FlashForward is closer to being the next Heroes... actually forget that. It’s so awful it makes Heroes look good. What should be a show that deals with important issues (free will, destiny and spirituality) ends up being nothing more than a lifeless display of mediocrity.
The biggest issue with this show lies in its episode structure. A show about a mystery has categorically failed when it becomes predictable. There are no surprises in FlashForward. You can even go into every episode knowing there is going to be an “unpredictable twist” at the end (cue: dramatic music). Even the sole exception to this rule (the end of Episode 7, ‘The Gift’ for those of you who have been watching) proves the overall point that despite possessing the potential to be actually engaging, FlashForward ultimately disappoints.
FlashForward has all the promise but so far has largely failed to deliver. I was genuinely surprised when I found out that it secured a full season. Will I still be watching by the end? Probably. Despite the poor acting, clichéd writing and persistent predictability, FlashForward has a killer premise that could yet make for great television. I can only hope it does so soon.
FlashForward has broadcast its first 10 episodes on Channel 5. It returns March 4th in the USA.
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