joseph fiennes

(S01E14) With this week's episode, 'FlashForward' started to remind me a little of some of the more intriguing moments early on in 'Lost.' It's a risky comparison to find itself in, because 'Lost' is poised to be one of the greatest long-form narratives in the history of television.

Plus, with a series name that reminds people of one element of 'Lost,' even if the book that 'FlashForward' was based on did precede the island mystery saga, and with Dominic Monaghan and Sonya Walger in the cast, does it really need to keep reminding people of a show it probably can't stand neck-and-neck with?

Regardless, though, once again 'FlashForward' took some important steps forward in its narrative, while Mark continued taking stupid steps backwards because ... well, he is still Mark Benford.

Fans of 'V' should be worrying right about now. With all the promotion ABC has put behind their re-toolings of both 'FlashForward' and 'V,' it's not very encouraging that 'FlashForward returned to even lower numbers than when it left, before quickly slipping even lower to its worst ratings yet.

The real question is why. Did no one have faith that ABC could turn the show around and get it back on track? When did we become so cynical? Plenty of television series have gone through rough starting periods before turning into great shows. I'm not saying 'FlashForward' is suddenly the greatest show on television, but it's vastly improved over its slow and meandering first half.

The two-hour mid-season premiere was epic and fantastic, so I wanted to wait until after the second episode to see how the new 'FlashForward' was going to look. While it was scaled back to the more personal stories again, I again felt that sense of foreboding and tense anticipation that a premise like this should have.

(S01E13) While last week's mid-season premiere dived right into the mysteries behind the blackouts, revealing new secrets about Simon, as well as the missing chunks of Mark's vision, the series turned its attention to the more emotional stories this week. Mark continued working with Lloyd to piece together as much as he can about their shared vision, but it was Aaron and Demetri's futures that took center stage.

We even updated the status of Janis' ongoing attempt to ensure her vision of herself very pregnant does indeed come true. But while much of the first half of the season seemed to get mired in these personal stories, to the detriment of the overall suspense, everything is coming together so much cleaner now. I only hope it's not too late.

'FlashForward' star Joseph Fiennes discussed his new baby girl and his love for the vegetarian food spread Marmite on 'Good Morning America' (weekdays, 7AM on ABC).

"A big, big privilege. The best thing that ever happened to me in my life," Fiennes said of his week-old child. "Sleep deprivation has never felt so good."

Watch the video after the jump.

Since this past fall, have we heard any good news about 'FlashForward?'

First, the show shut down production for a week to work out some creative issues (that's code for ABC execs not liking where the story was going). Then the drama's initial showrunner, Mark Guggenheim, got outta Dodge. And then, ABC announced an early DVD release for the first half of the season before it resumes its 23-episode freshman run in March. But wait -- there's more! Don't forget that ABC cut the episode order too. The first season was supposed to be 25 installments long.

Well, the bad news keeps on coming as Variety is reporting that Guggenheim's replacement, David Goyer, is also stepping aside.

Here's an interesting tactic: releasing a DVD set for a show smack dab* in the middle of the first season.

Disney/ABC has announced that they will release FlashForward: Volume 1 on February 26. That's "Volume 1" and not "Season 1," because the season isn't over yet. This release will come a week before the show returns to the network on March 4 to finish out the first season (with the big event that affects the entire world happening on April 10).

(S01E10) I knew FlashForward was headed toward a hiatus, but I didn't expect it to be here so soon. Thankfully, this was one of the best episodes of the season so far, pushing things dramatically forward for most of the characters and the blackout mystery, as well. We also gained more insight, and thus more confusion, about Simon and his motives.

There won't be any new episodes until March 2010, which coincidentally (or more likely, not coincidentally) is when Demetri is supposed to die, according to the Persian woman on the phone. When the show returns, will its internal continuity have jumped forward three months, as well? I have a feeling it will.

I think more may have happened in this hour than has happened in the last seven or eight episodes. Let's dig into it.

(S01E09) I've thought since the beginning that Bryce was more one of the more intriguing characters on the series. The fact that he was on the verge of suicide when he had his flashforward was indicative of some deeper hurts that we hadn't explored yet, but this week he finally got his due. We also got to meet the mystery woman from his vision, and now his sketches.

I've also realized that a lot of you are right about one thing. The character of Mark Benford isn't working for me anymore. He's a dick through and through, and he absolutely proved that this week in how he handled trying to track down some information.

In fact, even though Olivia's a little better than Mark, I'd say the "first family" of FlashForward are the two least likable or interesting characters on the show. I think the drama may have been better served by having Mark die in Al's place a couple of weeks ago.

A lot of people have already given up on ABC's FlashForward. I think I understand why. Maybe it's not moving along the way that some viewers want, maybe it's not as compelling as the pilot was, or maybe people have been spoiled by Lost. I get all that, but I'm sticking with it. I think they've made some terrible choices (the Bob Dylan song used in the parking garage shootout was just goofy, and the card game last week was pointless and boring), but there's enough going to hold my interest.

Here's a sneak peek of Thursday's episode, "Believe."

[Watch clips and episodes of FlashForward and other shows at SlashControl.]

(S01E08) You mean I'm going to have to start paying attention to this show? What do they think they are ... Lost or something? Yes, I made sure to mention Lost in my article about FlashForward, and yes I did it because I know it bothers some of you. I'm a bastard that way.

There was a lot of forward motion in a lot of important ways. Last week's Al-dying, Tracy-returning finale was a huge set-up for the next few weeks' worth of story. As expected, Al's death became big news when Celia went public with the letter he'd sent to her (so I guess that means the FBI found her?). But it was Tracy's return that added layers to the complex onion we're trying to peel here.

In the middle of it all, we got to contemplate the significance of what bra Olivia might choose to wear in the future. See, everything's important!

(S01E07) You know, even without Dominic Monaghan appearing (save for one scene), this episode really captured my attention. There was some further development in the blue hand case, but for the most part it was about the people of the cast and how they're dealing with their lives at this point between the blackouts and the time of their visions.

Since the beginning, I've been waiting to find some confirmation as to whether these were inevitable futures, or just possible futures. And every week, I got more and more proof that it just seems like they're racing toward these inevitable destinies. Even the contradicting visions, like Zoey's vision of her wedding with Demetri, and his lack-of-vision left room for interpretation: she was a bit away from him on that beach.

But really, this episode was about Al Gough. We finally got to see the rest of his vision, and it's a doozy. Plus, Fiona showed up in the Los Angeles office, where she and Al meet again ... for the first time.

(S01E06) Some big revelations this week, both in the flashforwards case, as well as in the situation at the Benford household. In fact, it was at the Benford household that it went down. I was also very proud of the writers for choosing a more challenging route for Mark's character than the tired cliches we've come to expect.

We also got the first encounter between Lloyd Simcoe's son and the Benford daughter, Charlie, and so many things became more clear. A couple more flashforwards to round out the hour and I'm still happy with the series.

And speaking of Charlies, those who've been waiting all season for Dominic Monaghan to finally get down and dirty as a series regular on this little show need wait no loner. His name was even right there in the opening credits under 'Starring.'

(S01E05) FlashForward took us to Washington, DC to see the political ramifications of the blackouts, as well as some of the maneuverings that the city is made of, at least in this reality. Also in this reality, Peter Coyote is President. I've always liked him, and I like how he plays the characters as a very regular and relatable guy.

We were introduced to a new character in Senator Joyce Clemente (Barbara Williams), and she's definitely set up to be a major thorn in the side of the ongoing investigation. There was always something a little wacky about the LA office taking Mark's vision and building an entire investigative force around it just because they felt like it. And now, they have to face the music and justify their very existence.

It made for some pretty intense television. That and the bullets flying at the heads of our intrepid heroes.

(S01E04) Any time we can go back and look at the blackout itself, I'm interested. But the use of an idyllic park scene and Björk's "It's Oh So Quiet" created an almost peaceful panorama -- until a bus drove into the lake, nearly missing someone lying nearby. Throughout the entire opening sequence, though, the scenes of serenity and death melded flawlessly with the song.

It was a great opening reminder of the event that put the entire series into motion, as well as an introduction to Ned. Ned is Dr. Benford's patient this week, who helps her come to terms with her own feelings about the flashforwards. He's also the calmest and most collected guy you could ever meet. But there's a reason for that.

What might be the most important thing for some people still on the fence about this show, Dominic Monaghan (Lost) finally showed up this week. As expected, he's going to be playing a pretty damned important role in the series. His introduction created a relationship with one of our main characters that I absolutely didn't see coming.

There are still a couple of new shows that haven't premiered yet, including two I'm really looking forward to, ABC's new version of V and FOX's new version of The Human Target (I know, I'm actually looking forward to two remakes). But they're not going to premiere until November and January, respectively, so here are my picks for the three new shows that I'm truly enjoying so far this new season. And somehow, they're all on ABC.

FlashForward. I bet a lot of people are going to pick this as the best new show, but I was kinda worried about it. I thought it would be too Lost-ish, but would suffer in comparison because it didn't have the strong cast and "gravitas" that Lost has. But it's a great show beyond any comparisons (and Dominic Monaghan hasn't even shown up yet!).