FlashForward: Part One, Season One

The latest high-concept metaphysical mystery series to hit primetime begins with an event that literally stops the world in its tracks: the entire human population loses consciousness for 137 seconds—only to reawaken with visions of their lives six months in the future. Are the flashes precognition, time travel, dreams, or merely a glimpse of the possible? More importantly, are these visions destined to come true? A team of FBI agents—led by Mark Benford (Joseph Fiennes) and his partner, Demetri Noh (John Cho)—try to track down leads while also dealing (along with everyone else) with their flash-forwards in this cleverly plotted show that provides the puzzle-like mystery of Lost but fails to offer complex characters to match. Sonya Walger costars as Olivia, Mark's wife; Courtney B. Vance is FBI boss Stanford Wedeck, who becomes alarmed at Mark's rogue behavior; and Jack Davenport and Dominic Monaghan play the scientists whose experiments may have initially set off the flash-forwards. While the metaphysical and science fiction elements are more compelling here than the character drama, the show has already built a strong following. Compiling the first 10 episodes from the 2009-10 debut season, DVD extras include a behind-the-scenes featurette on creating the spectacular opening disaster and a brief sneak peek of an upcoming episode. A strong optional purchase. (S. Axmaker)