ABC Strikes Gold With Flash Forward

Each fall we’re bombarded with previews of the networks’ new lineup.  Some shows look promising; others make me question some TV execs’ sanity.  I grew up on television, and although I watch significantly less TV than I used to, I still watch quite a bit.  In my humble opinion, CBS has the best procedural dramas (CSI, Criminal Minds, Cold Case), NBC has a good comedic lineup (30 Rock, The Office), and ABC pushes the envelope with high concept dramas (FlashForward, V) while maintaining an otherwise popular prime time schedule with mainstays like Grey’s Anatomy and Dancing With the Stars.  ABC has demonstrated a willingness to take risks with high concept shows in the past, like Life on Mars (which I loved), but those shows have ended up being canceled.  However, I think the network has a new hit on its hands with FlashForward, the best new show I’ve seen in a long time.

The most salient and impressive aspect of FlashForward is its premise.  The show follows a group of FBI agents as they investigate the cause of a global blackout that occurs in the series’ first episode.  I, like many other viewers, was immediately sucked in by the first episode.  Set in Los Angeles, the series opens with an otherwise ordinary day.  Then, at the exact same mid-morning time, everyone on the planet loses consciousness for exactly 2 minutes and 17 seconds.  During this period of unconsciousness, most people see a vision of their future, a memory of an event that will not happen for another 6 months.  When the world regains consciousness it looks as if there’s been a global terror attack.  Everyone is befuddled and frightened.  We’re talking about a global event, so there are millions of lives that were lost as people drove or flew or did anything that would otherwise require consciousness at the exact time of the blackout.  The Feds assemble a task force, which in turn sets up a website called Mosaic, where people can share stories of their visions and try to figure things out.  Some poor souls didn’t experience a “flash forward” or vision, which basically means that they don’t have a memory of a something that will happen in six months because they will be dead within that time period.  These folks deduce that fact, and are left walking around in limbo like zombies awaiting certain doom.

The best thing about FlashForward is the writing.  I was glued to my TV every Wednesday.  I think it’s easy for high concept shows that are premised on a singular event (like Lost) to become stale or outlandish, but FlashForward shows no sign of wearing thin.  As a matter of fact it has gotten even better.  As the characters deal with the aftermath of the blackout, they begin to create self-fulfilling prophecies as they behave in ways they normally wouldn’t in order to ensure that their future does or does not play out according to their vision.  One character saw the demise of her marriage in her flash forward.  Another one sees himself madly in love with a woman he’s never met.  Another character is gay but sees herself having a sonogram.  Perhaps most intriguing, one of the characters did not have a vision and is therefore a Dead Man Walking.  He discovers through Mosaic that he will be murdered, and he and his partner are consumed with finding his killer before it’s too late.  This show is simply fascinating.  I’m intrigued by shows and movies that explore concepts of fate and destiny, and I enjoy the thoughtful examination of human nature, the portrayal of hopeful faith and optimism for those who had joyful visions, and the ill-fated despair and resignation of those who had frightening flash forwards.  Some people will do anything to make their flash forward come to fruition; others are hell-bent on changing their future.

At the conclusion of the first half of the season, there are some questions that have been answered and many that remain.  One character has taken responsibility for the blackout, but other evidence points to different potential culprits.  My friends and I text each other endlessly throughout each episode, and I can’t stop raving about the show.  I’m not sure what the Nielsen ratings are like, but anecdotally I know that FlashForward has been a trending topic on Twitter and the masses seem to really love it.  I’ve converted my cousin to the show, and it’s not too late for you to bone up on it before it returns.  You can watch full episodes at abc.com and catch up on one of the best network series I’ve ever seen.

For more on FlashForward, click here.

FlashForward returns to ABC in March 2010

Photographs courtesy of ABC, Craig Sjodin