Tell-Tale TV Series Premiere Panels: Timeless
The timeline is in danger on NBC’s Timeless.
Someone has stolen a time machine and taken it back in time to alter history. It’s up to three people to stop it — Lucy, Wyatt, and Rufus.
Can they manage to save the day without altering the timeline too much?
How do you think the premiere fared? Join the discussion by leaving your thoughts in the comments.
Our panelists are:
- Lissete Lanuza Saenz, associate editor for Tell-Tale TV
- Becky Peters, senior writer for Tell-Tale TV
- Charles Dulaney, staff writer for Tell-Tale TV
- Lisa Steinberg from Starry Constellation Magazine
- Talya from Talk Nerdy With Us
Give it to me straight. What did you think of the premiere?
Becky: All in all, I was really happy with it. I went into it expecting a fun show — nothing really heavy or “thinky,” for lack of a better word — and that’s exactly what the pilot delivers — quirky adventure. Timeless seems like it’s going to be the escape that we’re all looking for when we watch TV.
Charles: I liked it. It was by no means perfect at all, but it was a fun, enjoyable time-travel adventure, which done right can be really good. It felt like the Sliders/Quantum Leap baby I’ve always wanted.
Lizzie: I enjoyed it a lot. I must say I came in with absurdly LOW expectations, because …well, because Legends of Tomorrow. And this was fun, the characters were engaging, and, most importantly, there were rules and consequences to time-travel. That was really all I needed.
Talya: The premiere has me intrigued. I love the concept of time travel, so I went into this show hopeful that it would be something I’d enjoy. I was definitely not disappointed. When Timeless finds it’s footing, I do think it has the possibility to be a fascinating and fun show.
Lisa: I am always a sucker for things involving history and time travel; it’s forever been so intriguing to me. Timeless kept giving me twist after twist with a fast pace.
I definitely did not expect the ending. We got a couple of answers but so many more questions. The chemistry was there and I was on the edge of my seat.
I am looking forward to continuing this journey. There is a new mystery or clue that springs up, and I am excited to put the pieces of the puzzle together.
What’s the show’s biggest problem?
Becky: It’s hard to say this early on because I think the creators fully intended to have things be mysterious and open-ended in the pilot, but the biggest problem, I suppose, would be that I don’t know much about any of these characters. This far, they can come off a bit one-dimensional.
But, like I said, that’s something that I fully expect will change as we see more of them and more is revealed. It’s a brand new show with brand new characters — it’s natural that we don’t connect with them just yet.
Charles: It’s not a big problem yet, but I don’t want there to be too much mystery on every single thing. I think adding too much mystery and vagueness early on can hurt a show. I don’t know yet if it going to happen here, but I really hope for now they stick to the main “Stop the Bad Guy” plot.
Lizzie: That they killed Patty Spivot? I thought it was a strong pilot. I think Rufus’s jokes could become a problem, if it’s just joking about time-traveling-while-black without the show actually showing how dangerous and different life was back in wherever-they’re-traveling-to, but, for now, I’m willing to give it a chance to get it right.
Talya: For me the biggest problem is going to be the retconning of historical facts. I’m a total history junkie, and I sometimes have a problem with shows who mess with history.
Lisa: I wouldn’t say there are much of a problem just yet, but I am aching for more backstory from the characters. I would have liked a little bit of time to find out about them as individuals and why they are perfectly chosen before jumping right into the bigger picture.
What/Who do you want to see more of?
Becky: I really want to know more about Wyatt — probably because he seems to be the character who showed us the least in the premier, you know what I mean? He seems extremely guarded and closed off, which, naturally, makes me want to know every little thing about him.
Charles : I’d like to see more of Lucy and her family life before her sister disappeared from time and her present with her mom. I love Abigail Spencer and Susanna Thompson and any time I can get more scenes with them working together, I want it badly.
Lizzie: What in the world is Rufus hiding? And how hard will it be to continue to hide whatever it is when he actually gets close to Lucy and Wyatt?
Talya: As I said I’m a history junkie, so I’d love to see historical stories brought to life. I’m looking forward to seeing historical figures brought to life on a weekly basis.
Lisa: Definitely Lucy and her family as well as the travel back in time to see remarkable events that I have only read about. I’d also like to know about what winds Wyatt up, the tease about his wife leads me to believe there is something more that is being hidden.
What was your favorite moment/quote?
Becky: “There is nowhere in American history that would be awesome for me,” or however that line went. It’s poignant and funny, and it will be interesting to see how they navigate that concept moving forward.
Charles: At the end when Lucy finds out that her sister has vanished because of the changes in time. It was good to show that there are serious consequences for what happens when time changes. Also Abigail was terrific in showing Lucy’s panic at not knowing what was happening at the moment.
Lizzie: I liked the moments of interactions between the 3 of them. And I liked Patti Spivot. I’ve missed the actress, and it was nice to see her again. But mostly, in the long run, I want more OT3.
Talya: I hate to say it but when Rufus cold cocked the police officer. I actually cheered him on from my couch. There were a lot of great moments and one liners in the premiere but that was probably my favorite.
Lisa: When Rufus had that mic drop moment in the police station putting those officers in their place. I think a lot of the great lines came from him and how smart and quick he really is. That moment itself was incredibly clever.
I also have to go with when Lucy said she was Nurse Jackie and Wyatt was Dr. Dre, and they work at General Hospital. Sharp writing like that is what I appreciate.
Timeless airs Mondays at 10/9c on NBC.
Allison Nichols
Allison is in a love affair with television that doesn't seem to be letting up anytime soon. Slightly damaged fictional characters are her weakness. She loves to spend her free time curled up with a cat and a show to binge-watch. Allison is a Tomatometer-approved critic (Rotten Tomatoes).