Global Frequency

For those who don't know the background story, this pilot episode was never meant for public eyes. It was dropped by the network, as many other series are, after only the pilot episode was produced. However, a DVD screener of this show somehow made it out of the studio, and was uploaded to the Internet. It has now been downloaded millions of times and continues to be downloaded a full year after its initial appearance. Just search for it on the torrent sites.

It diminishes the enjoyment of a show somewhat to know there will never be another episode. That being said, this was an outstanding pilot.

The special effects were extremely good for a pilot. When I think back to other pilot episodes for similar series such as X-Files, The Collector, and Supernatural, I'm amazed those shows ever got out of the gate. Global Frequency makes a much better first impression.

While not deviating too much from the comics, the show needed a more familiar base. So much of the pilot is spent introducing Sean Flynn, a police officer suspended from the force, who accidentally stumbles upon this secret network by finding one of their phones. Sean is decent, but not a very bright guy, so all of the science fiction elements of the show require translation into layman terms. This would have ensured a broader appeal than just comic book geeks.

What I found to be a real departure, and a refreshing change, was the fact that Miranda Zero--a woman--runs the show. Action/adventure shows (particularly those touching on science fiction) rarely feature a female lead. Tilting the scales even further, the two other starring characters, Kate Finch and Aleph, are both women.

Taken for what it is, it's certainly not science fiction's finest hour. But it's easily as good an hour of entertainment as anything on TV these days. The fact that you're not even supposed to see it makes it even more appealing.

Not the most original show I've seen mainly because it reminded me very much of Search Control.

Michelle Forbes is always watchable and the other, annoyingly unfamiliar, cast members make a pretty good attempt at taking it seriously. The dialogue is sharp and witty but much of the fun lies in spotting how many movies it's ripping off: Blade Runner and The Matrix to name just two.

It could have done with higher powered cast or at least some familiar faces and a longer running time: I don't recall seeing a 44 minute pilot for this sort of show for years.

All told it's entertaining fun and far worse shows have been made into a series: "Lost" anyone?

It's a pity pilots aren't all exposed to public scrutiny and put to a vote: I think this would have been in with a chance.

I find the glowing reviews of other reviewers difficult to understand. I absolutely love the original comics of Global Frequency. However, this pilot is a weak shadow of the source material. Specifically, the actress playing Miranda Zero lacked energy and was completely uninteresting. In addition, the characters had an almost "Fringe-like" ability to remember the one crucial piece of 30-year-old information in a matter of seconds. In essence, they are walking, talking deus ex machinae.

I completely understand why WB chose not to proceed with the series.

I'm glad someone else is writing a new pilot.

I have one question. Why do TV networks let something as good as this pass them by? The pilot was never aired, but it leaked out on the internet somehow and are know spreading like a wildfire. Ironically it seems that this alone can actually save the series. The response has been so massive I don't see how they can ignore it.

I found the Global Frequency pilot by chance and only watched it because I've read the comics (Warren Ellis) by the same name which I liked a lot. It is seldom you come across something like this only to hear that the bulk heads in the media industry can't recognize a goldmine when they see one. Get the word out there. This is good stuff.

There are dangers in our world of which we are completely unaware. The intelligence agencies of the world won't cross national borders. We're in trouble. Thank goodness, there is the Global Frequency.

The idea behind this show is a super secret organization exists and its operatives work outside the nation loyalties to stop horrible things from happening. Our hero gets drawn into this world by finding a half a body and chooses to answer the body's ringing "cell phone." In the course of the story, our hero meets the "hot female scientist (who hides her beauty with a hair bun and thick horn rimmed glasses)," does important (if not obvious) detective work, and saves the day. While our hero is on the ground, the leader of the Global Frequency kicks butt as she breaks into a prison and extracts needed information from a political prisoner held there. There is a certain amount of cliché in this story, but it's a fun ride.

I found this show on a CD left in the computer lab. It seems to be a pilot for a series, but there are no credits on the copy I found. I'd like to know more about the actors and the show. It is a great set up for a series and I'd like to see more of it.