Bottom line, in my view, this could go either way.
They threw in a few decent elements, such as the connection with the original (instead of rebooting it, or dismissing it, entirely), a couple decent actors, and the potential of a mystery or Sam even being seen.
Where it falls down is that those decent elements didn't mix. I'm not sure if it's just a bit undercooked, still, and needs to simmer, or if it will come together in other episodes, but for the pilot, it's not there.
I have a problem with the "guide" / hologram being a romantic entanglement. For one, with that kind of emotional liability, it's unrealistic. Oh, sure, a show like this can leave "real" behind, but only if there's a payoff for having done so. This has the feel of just throwing it in there for the sake of drama. And made worse by the fact I felt NO chemistry between these two.
Speaking of the hologram - they have Ernie Hudson in the cast, and he's not it??? He's sidelined? Come on! He would have been far superior to Ms-no-chemistry,
Lee as Ben is passable. He's no Bakula, and seems a bit young-ish for the role, but he's better than feared.
The first story was a bit banal, and they didn't launch us into this new world very well. I am not confident in the writing.
For now, I'll wait and see where this goes. The big payoffs would be IF we happen to get Sam in one or more of the episodes, and whatever mysteries might unfold. Time will tell. Pun intended.
They threw in a few decent elements, such as the connection with the original (instead of rebooting it, or dismissing it, entirely), a couple decent actors, and the potential of a mystery or Sam even being seen.
Where it falls down is that those decent elements didn't mix. I'm not sure if it's just a bit undercooked, still, and needs to simmer, or if it will come together in other episodes, but for the pilot, it's not there.
I have a problem with the "guide" / hologram being a romantic entanglement. For one, with that kind of emotional liability, it's unrealistic. Oh, sure, a show like this can leave "real" behind, but only if there's a payoff for having done so. This has the feel of just throwing it in there for the sake of drama. And made worse by the fact I felt NO chemistry between these two.
Speaking of the hologram - they have Ernie Hudson in the cast, and he's not it??? He's sidelined? Come on! He would have been far superior to Ms-no-chemistry,
Lee as Ben is passable. He's no Bakula, and seems a bit young-ish for the role, but he's better than feared.
The first story was a bit banal, and they didn't launch us into this new world very well. I am not confident in the writing.
For now, I'll wait and see where this goes. The big payoffs would be IF we happen to get Sam in one or more of the episodes, and whatever mysteries might unfold. Time will tell. Pun intended.