Tell-Tale TV Series Premiere Panels: Limitless

We’re back for another Tell-Tale TV Series Premiere Panel! There are a ton of new shows premiering this fall, and all of us at Tell-Tale TV are breaking them down to see which ones are worth watching.

In the premiere of Limitless, Brian Finch, a grade A underachiever, is introduced to a mysterious drug called NZT, which gives him extraordinary cognitive abilities. After his first dose runs out, he goes back to his friend Eli’s to get more, and he discovers that Eli is dead.

Someone is killing off people with NZT. Here’s where Special Agent Rebecca Harris and the FBI come in. With a little help from NZT, Brian solves the mystery of his friend’s death, and he gets a gig as a consultant with the FBI. But the FBI has ulterior motives, they want to study Brian to figure out how he is able to use NZT without suffering the side effects.

Our Panelists are:

• Jennifer Stasak, contributing writer for Tell-Tale TV
• Ashley Bissette Sumerel, founder and editor-in-chief of Tell-Tale TV
• Allison Nichols, contributing writer for Tell-Tale TV
• Carissa Pavlica from TV Fanatic
• Mendie Murray from Untitled TV

1. Give it to me straight, did you like the premiere?

Jenn: I did! I have never seen the movie Limitless, but actually… I wasn’t confused by the plot at all. It was easy to follow and exceptionally engaging,  visually, which is huge credit to Marc Webb (who directed the pilot and also things like (500) Days of Summer). While it’s not my favorite pilot ever in recent years, I laughed, and I felt things for the characters. It also doesn’t hurt that I first saw it on a big screen at SDCC.

Allison: I enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would. I think it was because we were given the time to get to know Brian before things all went crazy, and even then, things happened slowly. We weren’t thrown into him working with the FBI. It all came naturally, and even the case of the episode happened as a result of Brian’s quest for  NZT. The premiere didn’t try to do too much.

Carissa: I loved it. I was completely caught off guard, too, expecting just another procedural (which I do not ordinarily watch). However, this had so much energy and so many exciting prospects. I totally buy Jake McDorman as a regular guy who would get involved in this and want to stay involved. Let’s face it, the prospect of taking NZT has to be something we could all imagine, right?

Mendie: Yes, very much so. Although, I’m not sure if I loved the premiere or if I loved Jake McDorman as this character. But even if I do only love it for him I will be back next week. There’s enough good stuff for the makings of a really good series. I also happen to be a huge fan of Hill Harper so he’s a nice bonus.

Ashley: I really did! I also hadn’t seen the movie, and had no idea what to expect. I was particularly interested in watching because of Jennifer Carpenter (Deb!) and had heard good things overall. But otherwise, like Carissa, I figured we were in for just another procedural. I loved the concept and the quirkiness, and like Allison says, the fact that we had time to get to know the main character before we were thrown into the craziness.

2. What’s the show’s biggest problem?

Jenn: I think the biggest problem right now is that Limitless is in danger of falling into the serialized crime drama landscape that is CBS and get lost in there. It’s a GOOD show and one that could be made greater, but I have a feeling that it’s just going to kind of lose itself in the serialization of it all.

Allison: Right now, it’s still unclear how the show will work as a procedural. Typically, a pilot gives you a sense of how most episode will go, but this was all set up. What types of cases will Brian work on? How big of a role will NZT play? What’s the over arching mystery? Is this going to be like Elementary where we have strange cases and a strange man will go around being more intelligent than everyone else solving them?

Carissa: I think the biggest problem are the serialized cases, just as Jenn suggests. But with the love and support of Bradley Cooper, perhaps this will rise above and be something different. I’m willing to give it a chance. It got a spot on my DVR, which says something.

Mendie: I agree with my colleagues; it’s biggest problem is whether or not it will be able to interweave the procedural & serial aspects of the show. When done right it can make for a really great series.

Ashley: Ditto, though I’m holding out hope that it’s going to remain unique. Something else that worries me is the whole detective with family secrets thing, only because that seems to be overdone in procedural dramas.

3. What’s the show’s greatest strength?

Jenn: Jake McDorman, for sure. He’s an absolute all-star in the pilot and manages to balance comedy and quirkiness with drama (the scenes with Brian and his father are so powerful). He’s so charismatic in the pilot (and in general). He’s going to be the thing that carries this show, honestly.

Allison: Brian. He is what will keep people watching. The fact that he is currently someone who hasn’t amounted to anything is something most people can relate to, and by the end of the premiere, you want to see him succeed. He got a super powerful drug, and one of the first things he did was try to cure his dad. You get a good sense of who this guy is, and he’ll be what keeps people watching.

Carissa: The premise of taking NZT and opening your brain to pretty much everything sells itself, but adding Jake McDorman to the mix seals the deal. He has really great chemistry with everyone on the series, and that’s a wonderful quality to have in a lead.

Mendie: Oh, definitely Jack McDorman. No question.

Ashley: I also agree that Jake McDorman does an amazing job with this character. I’ll add, though, that the writing is just really strong.

4. Who or what do you want to see more of?

Jenn: Hill Harper’s character, Boyle. I love Hill Harper, you guys.

Allison: Bradley Cooper, obviously. His presence also would be a good way to bring in more of the NZT mystery. He’s our connection to the world of NZT and the people who use it.

Carissa: Personal interactions between the characters. Whether it’s Boyle, Eddie Morra or Rebecca Harris, I’m interested in Brian getting under their skin. I was surprised Rebecca thought her father was on NZT before he died and think that will bring her and Brian very close as they work together. As I said earlier, McDorman is so charismatic that watching him with others is very entertaining.

Mendie: Hill Harper. And ditto to everything Carissa said. I would love to see these characters get under each others skins.

Ashley: Obviously, we will see more of her, but I’m excited to have Jennifer Carpenter on my TV screen again.

5. Who or what needs to go away and never come back?

Jenn: You know, I don’t think I had a least favorite character? I enjoyed them all in some capacity at least.

Allison: The voiceovers! I felt like I was being talked down to every time Brian went on explaining everything he could do. “Could you do the math?” Well no, but I don’t plan on jumping in front of a moving subway car anytime soon. When the voiceovers are used to give us a glimpse inside Brian’s mind, they are okay and sometimes even funny, but ugh the NZT related voiceovers need to die. Also, the weird graphics could go away.

Carissa: The entire trove of FBI agents. Just let us see and get to know Rebecca. We get it, she has superiors and a whole group she has to report to. I just don’t need to see them or know about their continued interest in the lab animal taking NZT.

Mendie: Other than loving the relationship between Brian and his father as well as my firm belief Blair Brown makes everything better, I couldn’t care less about his family. Either give them purpose or drop them to every 10 episodes or so characters.

Ashley: I’m going to agree with Jenn on this one. I didn’t expect to like this show as much as I did, and I really enjoyed everything about it. I do think it has the potential to do too much when it comes to the characters (both FBI and the family), but hopefully that won’t become a big issue.

6. Favorite quote/moment from the premiere?

Jenn: I only picked up on this because Marc Webb and Jake McDorman pointed it out at SDCC, but the directing and styling differences between Brian when he’s on NZT and when he’s off NZT are really subtle but really cool in the pilot. Jake’s character stands up straighter when he’s on NZT, he talks more deliberately, but also his CLOTHES fit differently. They’re more fitted and less baggy than they are when he’s off the drug, which is so interesting and cool. Bonus favorite scene: Bradley Cooper’s entrance. I mean, how great is Bradley Cooper?

Allison: I found it really amusing when Brian called Rebecca after being shot. Sure, she is with the FBI who is hunting you down, but hey, why not give her a call? It was an amusing moment, and it showed how trusting Brian is. Brian’s pretty good at reading people, even without the help of NZT.

Carissa: The whole first scene when Brian realized what the drug opened for his mind was so much fun. I really enjoyed the way everything cut in and out of him playing guitar in the plaza. I cannot tell you how much I want NZT, and the shot Cooper’s character offers to ensure my brain doesn’t fizzle and die from taking it. The way it was edited really made me understand what it meant to feel so open and knowledgeable. It was pretty cool.

Mendie: Everything with Brian and his father.

Ashley: Agree with Carissa on this one. I think this is the moment when I really fell in the love the episode. It was quirky, fun and fascinating to think about.

Enough about what we thought, what was your impression of the premiere? Will you be tuning in every week? Leave us your thoughts in a comment below.

 

Limitless airs Tuesday nights at 10/9c on CBS.