Forever

If you tell someone there's a new show that is similar to "Castle" and "Elementary"--with a man-woman team that solves murders--he might say he wants to check it out, because he likes both of those shows. Or he might say it's been done before and refuse to watch it.

The new show "Forever" involves a homicide detective, Jo Martinez (Alana De La Garza), and a medical examiner, Dr. Henry Morgan (Ioan Gruffudd), who work together to solve murders. Like Sherlock in "Elementary", Henry utilizes amazing powers of observation to deduce the truth. Will Henry and Jo become romantically involved, like Castle and Beckett? It seems destined to be.

Unlike Sherlock, Henry is very attached to a family member--Abe, played by Judd Hirsch, who is Henry's adopted "son". And there's another important twist: Doc Henry is immortal. He has lived for about two hundred years and he considers that a curse. He has chosen to eschew close relationships, knowing the inevitable pain of loss that must result when he outlives a loved one.

The appeal of the show depends upon the three main characters. Fortunately these three actors are fun to watch and bring believability to a supernatural premise.

After watching the first two episodes, it seems that the writing will bring interesting stories to the murder-solving genre. I want to see how many ways they can use Henry's "affliction" to advance a plot. In the pilot, Henry uses himself as a guinea pig to test the properties of a deadly poison--something that even Sherlock cannot do.

The story takes place in New York City, so put on your thinking cap and watch "Forever" over a cocktail--perhaps a Manhattan.

Update 10/8/14: After watching the episode titled "The Art of Murder", I am finding this new show even more enjoyable. This episode draws on Henry's personal experiences to create a truly emotional resolution, which might have been aided by the music of Ella Fitzgerald. I may have to increase my rating if this keeps up.

I really liked this show. I agree that it is definitely a lot like Highlander (without the swords and lightning)....but I ask what is wrong with that, I also like Highlander. Ioan Gruffudd does a great job and it has me interested. There isn't enough good science fiction on major networks. Really my only major complaint is that now I have to wait until September 30th to watch the second episode(what is with these early 1st episode airings and then making us wait months to see the next episode like the flash)I would like to see more character development and flashbacks to Dr. Henry Morgan's earlier lives/life. It is really going to come down to where they decide to take the show. I hope they give us answers and don't leave everything a mystery and that they actually spend time coming up with the answers (I am looking at you LOST) I hope to see good things from this show but only time will tell.

Honestly after reading the description of the show I wasn't too excited about watching the 1st episode. But it had me hook, line, and sinker after the first 5 minutes.

Ioan Gruffudd gives a great performance as Henry Morgan, and Alana De La Garza as Det Jo Martinez is fantastic as always.

Its refreshing to see time was spent on character development, writing, and directing. Too many shows are casting "A" list actors and then putting out a poor planned product. Hats off to the entire cast and crew.

Looking forward to upcoming season.

We stumbled upon this show out of desperation during the holiday break. It is FANTASTIC. We truly love this show and find it to be very intelligent, entertaining and interesting. When it first premiered, we had no desire to watch it based on the promos, so I believe that if this show fails it is due to a poor promotion and marketing campaign. The promos emphasize a 200-year-old man trying to find a cure for his immortality...seems wacky. Who would want to watch that? This show is so much more. What a shame that it most likely will be cancelled without most people even having a chance to discover it. Hopefully the network will see the potential and rethink their marketing. It's truly great.

I hope ABC will give it another shot.

I absolutely love this show. I like crime shows in general, especially when they have a Sherlock-ian lead, but this is my favorite of all time. This show is like a combination of the Mentalist, Bones, CSI, and the Highlander. Its magic is not in its components – it is in how well it is done. The critics seem to be slamming the fact that it is a conglomeration of characteristics of other shows – but why not take the best parts of them all and put them together? What is wrong with that? This is entertainment, not an artistic statement. Nonetheless, it is very well written – funny, smart, exciting and absorbing, and with a sentimental twist. It is more lighthearted than CSI and more emotional than the Mentalist. I love that it tends to be more about biology and medicine than hair samples and carpet fibers…it's more about all the obscure ways people can die. The flashbacks to history are kind of fun, too. It is perfectly casted-the lead actor/main character is so expressive and charming you are instantly drawn in and rooting for him. The characters play off of each other very well—a little too much of anyone/thing and it just wouldn't be the same. In short? I look forward to this show all week, and when I watch it: I laugh, I cry, I learn something, my heart pounds in places and later it melts, and I end just about every show sad that it's over and wanting to watch it again.