Charlie Jade

This 21 episode television series, a joint South African and Candadian effort, is less like a traditional TV show (where episodes have a beginning, middle, and end) and plays more like a very long mini-series. Watch Charlie Jade like you are reading a book; each episode is a chapter. Influenced by Sci-fi noir films like Blade Runner, creator Robert Wertheimer was determined to make a science fiction series like nothing that has ever been made before, and he has. Throw away any preconceptions you might have, especially if you're an American. This is nothing like American TV programming. Shot in Cape Town, South Africa, the show, despite it's futuristic and science-fiction edge, is both stylish and surreal and yet also firmly rooted in reality, dealing with real issues like terrorism and the abuses of power by massive conglomerates. It is filled with real people, not pretty models of perfect people. It starts off with a slow, patient pace, which some might find frustrating or boring, but hang in there! By the end of the pilot and the start of the third episode you will be hooked and utterly captivated.

First off, let me state that the first episode is rather slow going. I must admit that I was close to giving up on it until the tail end of the episode, but was glad I stuck it out. I was hooked shortly thereafter.

Very intriguing characters -- especially '01 Boxer', who, as played by the fascinating Michael Filipowich, is driven by motivations which only become clear later in the season -- along with a unique setting and intricate plots and subplots make "Charlie Jade" a standout amongst sci-fi series.

There are arcs in many of the main characters which keep the viewer wondering what will happen from episode to episode. And I appreciated the fact that certain things weren't always completely spelled out; you are left to contemplate and figure some things out for yourself.

While it seems obvious they were leaving the door open for additional seasons, there is enough of a resolution to the series that the viewer will not be left hanging and unsatisfied at the end of the first (and only) season. If you can find this on DVD or somewhere else on cable TV, I recommend it to any sci-fi fans who are willing to stick with a truly engrossing story.

Jade is still waiting to be discovered. This beautifully written, moody complex but dramatically compelling work is in fact what so many shows and films have claimed to be, but aren't, the spiritual TV inheritor of Blade Runner.

The cinematography is terrific I think and the mix of languages, looks and environments is both other-worldly and gritty.

This show has yet to have it's day, whether through VOD or television I predict it will be 'discovered by the right combination of powers-that-be in the US.

I hope to see other work by this group of artists.

Still only halfway through the season as it airs on Sci-Fi. The first 8 or so episodes were really slow, and I understand why some people were turned off.

However, it is very different conceptually from any other sci-fi series I can think of, and it kept me intrigued. The writing staff was completely changed around episode 10 and things really started to come together and take off.

The acting is good, with some great performances by crazy 01 Boxer played by Michael Flippowich, as well as many in the supporting cast.

Filmed on location in South Africa, it does have definitely alien feel for those in the US. The culture is Western, but not American.

There's a lot unexpected in this show, in a good way, and it's hardly predictable. The 'hero' Charlie isn't trying to accomplish anything but getting home to his hot girlfriend. I'd recommend it for anyone who want's good sci-fi that's not in the action-adventure vein and requires a bit of intelligence on the part of the audience.

More solid S.F. (as Asimov defined it) than pop Sci-Fi, this series which has scrambled to find audiences on three continents will probably always frustrate fans while it fascinates them until there can be a DVD release to appreciate its many stately paced virtues without the incessant, mood destroying commercial breaks.

Imagine the dark, fascist ruled world like that of Blade Runner (like Blade Runner, built around a hot but well roughed up film-noir detective - Colorado native Jeffrey Pierce - later seen or heard Stateside in quality work from NCIS to Eli Stone and The Bourne Conspiracy); toss in parallel universes of lighter but similar complexity (the lightest could have been borrowed from the lush but potentially threatening island of Lost) and a classic "Mars Needs Women/Water" umbrella plot. Now draw it out like a 21st Charles Dickens spreading his intricate plot and character descriptions over as many YEARS as possible of serial publication (pausing every hour or so to blow something up in as scenic and non-sensational way as possible), and you have the look, feel and details of CHARLIE JADE.

It's heady stuff for discerning ADULT viewers, and not remotely for the short attention-span set (which may be why it has failed to take off in television which this style of story telling is not ideal for), but the quality of the work is first rate in almost every aspect from acting to cinematography to scoring - even if all are almost too self consciously trying to recapture the aura of Blade Runner. On DVD or DVR, this is close to addictive caviar which any self respecting S.F. or film noir fan owes it to themselves to try for a couple hours - but *live* on commercial television, it will probably always remain difficult to get into.