Mind Games

Wow, I just watched the first episode, and most shows typically take about 3-4 shows to really get going and develop the characters and story to a comfortable level. The whole cast is just great, but the chemistry between Christian Slater, Steve Zahn and Wynn Everett is stellar. I did enjoy Slater's last effort (Breaking In), but the show itself wasn't great, but Christian was. This show, "Mind Games" is excellent. The bi-polar issues, the ex-con issues, the exes, t's all in the in a believable, heart-felt and emotional way. You are immediately drawn into the characters and just root for them. Flawed characters are always the best, and the cast will not disappoint. Great job cast and director. The writing is excellent as well... thanks for such an excellent show it, I am already connected to it.

This show has all the elements required to be a very successful show. Great Actors, Great Concept, Excellent interaction between the entire ensemble. The problem is that it's missing one very important thing. Great Writing. In order to write for a Bi-polar, Manic personality there has to be a balance in the characters behavior. Here we seem to be only seeing the lead character in his most whacked out Manic state. And it's always only a question of time before he flips out into a full blown episode at just the wrong moment. Destroying an investors office, making a huge scene at a party that embarrasses his client. In order for this show to work it needs to change quickly. The Manic episodes need to be in their office while working with his brother and their team. While actually out pulling off one of their jobs the Manic behavior can only manifest in ways that HELP them succeed. We want to see great capers like Mission Impossible or Leverage or any of the other great TV series of this genre. Tension about them getting caught is good. Tension about how the main character is going to screw things up is bad.

The premise of the show sounded REALLY amazing to me- Leverage with a bit of The Mentalist, House of Lies and a few other elements taken from other TV Shows- I was in for a good ride... I was mistaken.

The pilot was fairly decent. Introduced the brothers and a bit of the back story to get the viewers interested in the characters themselves. It was very loud and chaotic but not too much that it would make the show seem completely unwatchable.... and then I watched the second episode, well, part of it at least; I don't think I can finish it.

There is just TOO much chaos. The eccentric and bipolar brother is just completely out there, very loud and obnoxious to the point where you start to feel embarrassed for the rest of the cast. It's completely ridiculous! So much broken glass, unorganized schemes that go nowhere because one of the brothers completely ruins it and all in all, just a bunch of chaos.

I'd stay away from this one. I'm going to try to finish the second episode but I doubt I'll make it through it.

UPDATED REVIEW: Third time is NOT the charm. This last episode I'm not sure how they can take credit for getting the girl out of the cult. However, on the flip side of this show, I put the TV on a timer and use Mind Games to put me to sleep in mere minutes. Or I watch it while doing doing dishes, working on the computer or whatever because I might as well do something productive so I can stay awake to see if the episode does get better...to be fair I'll keep recording it so if I have run out of other shows to watch, its something to consider as it's almost better than nothing.

FIRST IMPRESSION: Absolutely chaotic and ultimately underwhelmed.

As much as I adore Christian Slater, I'm a bit surprised that the other actor seems like the main actor.

They replaced Killer Women after only a few episodes for this new show, but it wasn't that impressive of a premiere, and unless the second episode is dramatically better, this one will definitely will be on my ignore list.

Since the network so quickly cancels the better show, but keeps the poor ones - regardless of the talent of the actors - I'll be curious as to which side of the network "brains" will win.

"Mind Games" is the old "Mission Impossible" with a soft, mushy heart and a helping of humorous lunacy.

I don't mind the mushy heart or humorous lunacy. What needs to be fixed is the setup & believability of the schemes employed and their eventual conclusion. With "Mission Impossible" the plans were very straightforward, understandable & clear, A+B=C. Problems would come up, and they'd have to adjust (just like in 'Mind Games'). The difference is Zahns character is so manic and all over the place one gets the sense his inspirations are founded perhaps less in logic and more in THC. In order for me to properly get engaged in the plot and suspense, I need to be able to believe in it. I think this can be fixed with a little better/longer setup of the initial plans.

The characters are interesting & good looking, the acting is good, direction is decent (didn't like the circular merry go round camera shot in the second episode) & Chicago is a great setting. The team aspect is a big attraction to me. Like the original "Mission Impossible" (not the Tom Cruise versions) having a group of different people covertly work together to passionately achieve ethical goals just makes me feel good.

The greatest asset going for this show is its theme of scientifically manipulating human behavior to achieve a goal. "Mind Games" is intelligent, identifiable and lends itself to interesting, compelling introspection. I hope the show improves and succeeds.