Second Chance

When I read the plot line I wasn't overly enthralled, just figured I'd give it a go. So glad I did.

There are some really interesting characters here, most of whom are deliciously flawed, with interesting relationships and interactions between them.

Visually pleasing, an interesting extension of technology and software that we already take for granted (and the slightly darker big brother aspect to it with the developers using it for their own ends without conscience) is a believable near future that makes the more esoteric sci-fi storyline feel more natural.

The plot for the first episode was a bit 'seen it before', but I think a necessary lack of invention in order to establish the story and give us an immediate understanding of the prime characters. I expect the plots will thicken up nicely.

I'm really looking forward to seeing how this develops; early days but has serious potential, for me, the best show so far this year and I'm eager to see more.

So obviously this is network TV, and is therefore bound by corporate committees and maybe by law to be unoriginal. And I think the writers tried pretty hard to fit that mold... but maybe they couldn't help making an interesting show despite some of those limitations. Clearly, it didn't happen by accident.

Right from the jump, I felt like something was a tiny bit different about this show than your usual network fare. I don't know if it was just the set design or the direction or the cinematography, or maybe a bit of all of these. But this show was a tad ahead of most other network content from the very beginning.

The acting was good. Dilshad Vadsaria played a very convincing and very sympathetic character, and also she's smoking hot. I hadn't really heard of her before, but now, having finished Second Chance, I have to go find another show of hers to watch. Robert Kazinsky did a great job. I had no idea he was doing an American accent until I read an interview with him shortly after I started watching. He seemed super familiar to me but I don't think I've seen much of his other work. On the whole, I'm kind of reminded of Henry Cavil, and that's a good thing.

But as the episodes went by, the show started getting really good. The plot pieces fit together fairly well; the suspension of disbelief was adequate. The dialog was quite good, and I had to laugh on quite a few occasions. I also shouted at the TV in frustration when Pritchard senior was too dumb to just talk to Mary about how he felt, and that's really not my usual style.

Plus, I felt like the writers and the showrunners were maybe going to actually resolve some of the key plot issues that most programs would usually milk for 3 or 4 seasons, and make room for newer things. I wonder if they had cool ideas for new storylines in future seasons.

Unfortunately, we'll never know, and it's a damned shame.

I liked this show because it made you think about moral and ethical science. I would have liked to have seen another season or 3, but like the SYFY channel, Fox puts out shows and cancels the ones that are most interesting. I won't even start watching new series on SYFY anymore because they'll get you hooked and leave you hanging. Fox is doing the same now. They keep the shows that have no plot and no brain engagement. Guess I will have to just watch History, Science, and National Geographic for anything that will challenge my mind.

First of all they changed the title from The Frankenstein Code to Second Chance. Why? I have to guess they think we're stupid and can't handle such a cool title. And I really enjoy this show from the few episodes I've seen. I like the cast and acting. It isn't perfect but hey, it's only episode 3! Now Fox has moved the show to Fridays. I can handle Fridays, but I don't want them to cancel the show. If you believe the internet it doesn't look good for the show.

IMDb gives it a 7.9! I'll give it an 8 and some room for improvement. Other shows are below this rating.

The title 'Second Chance' though appropriate isn't a good title. They must have been forced to change the title by a bunch of suits. A show with The Frankenstein Code would pull in more viewers. Change it now! Why couldn't you? But you won't because it's probably too late.

I will be sad to see this show go after so few episodes. I've read elsewhere people saying 'There goes Fox again!' It makes it difficult to even care about a show when it may not be given a chance. I really really hope they do. Fingers crossed. P.S. And with episode 3's big and deserved early reveal... should I watch another episode? I will for the cast, crew and what could have been a great run.

Jimmy Pritchard (Philip Baker Hall) is not the most lovable guy. He has always been irascible and too independent to be a team player. Now at age 75, the ex-sheriff resents the ravages of time. His son, Duval (Tim DeKay), is an FBI agent who plays by the book. He never lived up to his father's expectations.

Jimmy stumbles across some men breaking into his son's office and they terminate him. But his death catches the eye of a socially-handicapped savant (Adhir Kalyan as Otto Goodwin) who lives with his twin sister (Dilshad Vadsaria as Mary Goodwin)--a sister who is dying of cancer--and he devises a plan to apply his research in hopes of resurrecting Jimmy. His ultimate goal is to forestall Mary's imminent death.

Obviously, this falls squarely in the science fiction genre and it is not for all viewers.

I don't find any of these characters riveting, but I enjoy the intersection of their personalities. Jimmy is rough around the edges and headstrong. Duval is quiet and plays by the rules. And Mary is intelligent, but vulnerable due to her affliction. For various reasons, each needs the others. As of the second episode, I find this show enjoyable.

The final parameters of the show's episodic format are yet to be revealed, but I am watching to see how things develop.

Thus far, the twins are the most interesting part of the show, perhaps due to the acting, but all of these characters have plenty of room to grow.