The episode opens up with our lead character: Dan Vasser. We quickly discover that he is a flawed man with personal and professional problems. Right from the start, we can relate to the man; a very good thing considering new series don't have much time to grab our attention.

Out of the blue, things turn awry for Dan when he finds himself in the past. No reasons. No one to guide him through this journey. No manual to tell him how things work. I was quite confused at this point but I think that's how the show wanted me (us, the fans) to feel. How did Dan travel there? Does the cab have something to do with it? Why is he traveling back in time? Why that particular year? How will he return? So many questions, no answers right now. Dan pretty much wonders the same even if he doesn't ask those out loud.

To make reviewing easier, let's deal with the past first. Every time Dan travels through time, he is in the same city but a different day and year. Therefore, he is in known territory and crosses path with people he knows, including his past love, Livia. Since Livia was taken from him unexpectedly (she was in a plane crash), Dan ponders if he should stop her from getting on the plane. The repercussions of such a decision could be catastrophic especially since he doesn't know why he is there yet (and if it is a dream or not). He is brought back to reality when he has a really close encounter with Livia. He is a married man, and no matter if he cheats in the past, it's still cheating and he knows it. I get the feeling he'll be tempted to hook up with Livia in the past in upcoming episodes. A love triangle through time!

Dan changes his game plan after saving a man named Neal Gaines from suicide. As he travels back and forth through time, he discovers that these trips may be connected to Neal. Using his investigating skills (he is a reporter after all), he gathers as much information as he can on Neal and tries to locate him. Eventually, his actions lead to Neal's demise but save Jacob, Neal's son, who'll turn out to do a very good deed in the future.

It looks like each week, our journeyman will need to save someone in the past in order to make the future better. We got confirmation that there is a puppet master somewhere when Dan comes face to face with a very much alive Livia while in the past. The future Livia seems to know about time traveling and what she tells Dan seems to imply that there are people behind all this: "Do you know why you are here? Trust your instincts." She knows that he is there for a reason. But why is she traveling through time? I smell conspiracy. Or at least a secret organization set to sent people back in time in order to make the future a better place. Is she part of the reason why he is traveling through time? It sure looks like she is an important part to this, so is Café Luna. If the writers handle this properly, the unveiling of the why/how/what/who/when/etc. of time traveling could be quite interesting and entertaining. I hope that the future Livia and Dan cross paths again and that they have to work hand in hand. She holds answers and Dan (and us) wants them!

The present needs as much mending as the past. Dan's relationship with Katie is already strained and his sudden and unexplained disappearances are not helping. Good thing the man has good friends and that his wife is willing to help him and sets up an intervention. Thing is, Dan doesn't need that kind of help! He sure does sound like an addict in denial when talking to his friends and family.

I was surprised that Dan was so quick to open up to his wife and his brother. However, he seems to really care for Katie so him trying to tell the truth, even if it makes him sound crazy, may not be that surprising. The premiere did really well at making us feel how both Katie and Dan are struggling in the relationship while wanting to patch things up and make their couple work. I was really happy to see him use the past to his advantage and bury the ring with a newspaper in order to give it back to his wife in the present so she understands he is telling the truth. And yes, my feminine side went all "awwww" when Dan told his wife he would always come back home.

I wonder if Dan will be tempted to use his time traveling abilities to make money. Maybe he'll try to do what Marty McFly wanted to do in Back to the Future II and bet on sporting events (if you recall Biff ended up doing that when he got the almanac in BttF).

Overall, I found that the pilot was a bit confusing at first because we didn't know why he travels back, how he travels back (we see that sort of blur on the screen but what is creating that sort of passageway?), or how the "when and where" he travels are chosen. Of course, these answers will be revealed in due time. I just hope they don't make us wait too long for answers as it may cause a few viewers drop the show from their watch list. TV viewers may have allowed Lost to give little answers over a long period in the beginning but they are less patient nowadays (I'm including myself in the lot). We want mysteries but we also want answers... yesterday! (That's probably why Spoilers Anonymous is doing so well here at TV Squad.)

Based on the pilot, what the Journeyman writers may need to inject in the series (besides answers) is some humor. Not only does Dan need to deal with problems in the present but also in the past, therefore, the public will need a few lighter moments here and there to catch a breath.

The characters are well-rounded and we learned enough about each for us to start to have favorites and connect with all of them in one way or another. This will surely help Journeyman keep part of its audience. I'm the type of viewer who changes channel if characters are boring and if I don't know enough about them. Luckily, Journeyman gave us enough info about the main characters in the pilot.

What may also help the series is that fact that it's not too serialized. Since they'll have the "case of the week" mixed in with the mystery of the show, viewers may find it easier to watch (especially after trying to analyze Heroes and connect the dots).

But will good acting, well-defined characters, and a different case each week, mixed with mystery, conspiracy and lost love be enough to keep the fans watching? Let us know what you think by answering our poll and commenting below.