In Defense of 'FlashForward': Why You Should Give The Show Another Shot

I am a 'Lost'-ie who loves 'FlashForward' -- and I do not apologize.

Yes, I know ABC insists on pushing 'FlashForward' as a sorry replacement for its biggest hit, 'Lost,' which ends in May after six amazing seasons. Yes, I know it's got a gimmicky sci-fi premise (the whole world blacks out for 2 minutes and 17 seconds and everyone sees six months into the future). Yes, I know it's been months since the show's last episode aired. And yes, I am apparently the only person looking forward (ha!) to its return this week.

'FlashForward,' based on novels by Robert J. Sawyer, debuted strong to 12.47 million viewers last September (compared to the 'Lost' season 6 premiere's 12.1 million). But in the following weeks, the new drama's viewership dropped off. On the eve of its second wind, I'd like to ask you -- fellow 'Lost'-ies and non-fans alike -- to give 'FlashForward' another chance.

Look, I'm not going to pretend that ABC didn't kill your 'Lost' turtle and then, while you were at school, bought you a new 'FlashForward' one and expected you not to notice the difference. The marketing for 'FlashForward' wrongly paints it as the same TV-show-turtle in that tank. But that's simply not the case.

Agent Mark Benford Reacts To The Blackout

There is nothing supernatural about the mysteries on 'FlashForward.' There are no tropical-dwelling polar bears or smoke monsters. But there are numbers. And science. And police work. And clues. The show's universe, unlike 'Lost's,' is a real world flooded with government conspiracy, quantum physics and yes, much confusion. Nothing on 'FlashForward' can be explained away with island mysticism.

I can see why the unfavorable comparisons started. Like 'Lost,' the series' pilot episode opens with the characters in chaos. The entire world has blacked out, and the aftermath is brutal, with 20 million people dead. But global disarray aside, the show has been slowly adding layers to the story aside from the shock value of its opening minutes.

'FlashForward' focuses on a group of connected people living in Los Angeles whose lives are affected by what they saw in the blackout. FBI agent Mark Benford (Joseph Fiennes), a recovering alcoholic, sees himself drinking in his office in front of a board of clues toward solving the blackout's origins. His wife, Olivia (Sonya Walger, 'Lost'), sees herself cheating on her husband with a stranger. Benford's AA sponsor Aaron (Brian F. O'Byrne) sees himself with his daughter, a soldier he believes was killed in Afghanistan. Even more confused and terrified are those, like agent Demetri Noh (John Cho of 'Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle' fame), who blacked out and saw nothing. Calling themselves "already ghosts," they believe they did not have a vision because in six months, they will be dead.

But not every story line on 'FlashForward' is bleak. The blackout gives Dr. Bryce Valery (Zachary Knighton), who was on the verge of committing suicide after a dire cancer diagnosis, something to live for when he sees himself finding his true love in Japan.

The fledgling series does pose some of the same questions still looming over 'Lost' -- how much control do we have over our destinies? Does knowing one's future cause a self-fulfilling prophecy? Can anyone really change what they've seen in the blackout? Bryce becomes consumed with finding his Asian lady love, ignoring hints of chemistry between himself and a friend who may be a better match. Olivia tries again and again to force her potential paramour, Lloyd Simcoe (Jack Davenport) out of her life, yet fate keeps bringing them together.

Usually, a show based on a one-line premise lacks longevity. But 'FlashForward' is more than just its pitch meeting (just as 'Lost' grew to be). It spent the 10 already-aired episodes building a labyrinth of questions that already seem to have answers in sight (hint, hint 'Lost').

Simcoe isn't just a walking, talking nail in the Benford marriage coffin; he's also a scientist who, it's already been revealed, may be partially responsible -- alongside his research partner (played by Dominic Monaghan, another 'Lost' alum) -- for the whole disaster.

The best episode of 'FlashForward' by far was 'The Gift' in which the characters, thanks to the ultimate sacrifice of agent Al Gough (Lee Thompson Young) learn that their futures may not be set in stone after all. The episode was a much-needed emotional turning point that admittedly came late in the game, but hopefully wasn't too late to pull viewers attentions back to the show.

Gough's literal leap of faith should create one in the viewer who's already given up on what is currently a good show -- and could grow to be a great show -- preferably without the damning 'Lost' comparison.

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