At first glance, Tru Calling may appear to be a "rip off". It has elements of The Dead Zone, Early Edition, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Quantum Leap; even Saved By an Angel. And with vetran writers from shows like Star Trek: Voyager, you might think that you've seen this all before. Well, you haven't!
But, isn't that the way of scifi television? Even Star Trek: The Next Generation could be considered a "rip off". Why do comic book heroes keep reappearing on the screen, after years and years of already knowing their superpowers?
The answer is simple -- good storytelling. And, especially in the second half of the first season, "Tru Calling" found its stride. What makes "Tru" different is that the show seems to seriously care about the themes it presents to you; murder, life, death, and dealing with the ability to change the fate of people facing this prospect. Tru successfully walks the line between tongue-in-cheek Back to the Future/Ground Hog day humor inherent to the premise, and the serious obligation that would be involved if you could change someone's fate. Tru is a great lesson in mortality and touches on how we all deal with death, with a comic book's playfulness. In this way it is like any great adult comic book that gives itself a bit of philosophy.
The first season DVD is highly recommended if in the US. At the time of this writing the show has been canceled by Fox television and the cliffhanger ending may leave you wanting to see the last six episodes, which have yet to air.
CJF
