Intelligence

Josh Holloway stars as Gabriel, an ex-Delta Force war veteran who has had a top-secret, super- chip surgically implanted in his brain. While he possesses no physical enhancements, mentally he becomes a walking router that can mentally pull and process data from other computers (exactly how isn't made clear). Obviously, the show's title "Intelligence" isn't meant to mean "superior intelligence," rather it means an enhanced ability to acquire and apply information.

Called a hero, yet deemed reckless and sometimes insubordinate by his boss, he is assigned a capable and attractive female partner to work as his bodyguard--since he's one of a kind the U.S. Cyber Command doesn't want anything happening to him because Gabriel has some pretty amazing abilities. He can look at people, do a facial recognition scan, and then retrieve all available data about that person by accessing computer databases. Video data appears like a holographic projection that he can walk through (what he calls cyber-rendering). Exactly how that works isn't fully explained either, but the concept and presentation are presented well. The good side of that is that the show doesn't wear you down with technical detail, while presenting an innovative presentation of using it.

Abiding by the time-tested formula for action partners--Gabriel and his new partner have their share of bantering, budding sexual tension, and bonding through crisis management. However, even though that aspect of the plot may seem predictable, the acting is solid, and the characters interesting and believable.

This is an action show, so there is a fair amount of fighting and shooting, however its not over- the-top, and isn't too graphic. The Pilot presents the characters, provides an initial storyline, and although slightly confusing at first, eventually explains the capabilities that we see Gabriel using.

All in all, I thought it was a pretty good show worth watching again. The overall theme is original, but the biggest challenge for the writers will be to keep the show from becoming a stereotype of action shows. Given the great cast and judging by the Pilot, I think something good is being delivered to television audiences that will keep people watching.

I'm another one who was really interested in the success of this show. It's lacking on a number of fronts, from writing to direction to technical accuracy. Fiction is one thing, but mixing up the simple facts of existing tech isn't forgivable.

Tech that doesn't exist yet is OK to go overboard with, but at least get current tech accurate.

From other shows, we've seen how good these actors are. So we know it's not their lack of ability.

There's a balance here that is way off kilter. To succeed, a show needs to overpower its weak points and compensate for the inadequacies, so there would be a net positive experience.

Taking a good concept, using modern tech and future tech, getting really good actors together in a vibrant team are all big positives.

The immature writing and direction outweigh all those positives. Then add in the failure to get good technical consulting and the show just can't win.

I so much wanted this to be a winner. What a letdown.

A great show with a strong cast, a well implemented intriguing concept and fabulous action. I thoroughly enjoyed this, it will not win any awards, but it is an entertaining and enjoyable watch. Very disappointing that it was discontinued after only one season, there is plenty left to explore which could well have been even better than the first season.

I really liked the Intelligence pilot but, on the other hand, I also like Nikita, Alias, Covert Affairs, Person of Interest, Numb3rs, Burn Notice, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Arrow, Tomorrow People, The Blacklist, Orphan Black, Torchwood, The Unit, Almost Human, Homeland, 24... basically, all shows about espionage or spies, either as part of the higher level government security agencies (often secret ones) or free agent spies, trying to combat sinister terrorist organizations, corrupt governments and evil multinational corporations, with individuals who frequently have enhanced abilities (knowledge, fighting skills or super powers).

So, this show is right up my alley. But the question isn't if Intelligence is good, it's is it good enough in 2014 to not be canceled? Will the plots and characters be distinctive enough to distinguish this show from many other series that have the same episodic structure and design? And this question just considers spy-oriented shows, this series also has similarities to cop shows like Elementary or even procedural crime series that are basically 60 minute mysteries with, often, a long- arc story tying the season together.

After just seeing the pilot, I like the characters (or, at least, the actors) well enough but for this show to succeed, it will really rely on the talent of the writers and production crew. Espionage shows already demand a great suspension of disbelief because they reside in a world of secrets and lies that are hidden from ordinary citizens. Viewers won't compare Intelligence to life but to other espionage series and whether the world it creates is consistent to the one we have come to know in similar shows.

Right now, besides a likable cast of actors, Intelligence is trying to distinguish itself through the premise that a computer chip implanted in his brain enables the Gabriel Vaughn character to somehow download every fact that exists anywhere online, even behind firewalls and, seemingly on hard drives as well. It's accepting this premise that seems to be the main dividing line in user reviews of whether people like or dislike this show. While visually, it's stunning to watch Gabriel "cyber-render" a scenario, this show will succeed or fail on whether this goes beyond science fiction into fantasy territory. Will viewers buy this?

The other factor is scheduling and Monday nights at 10 pm is a tough time slot with audience-pleaser Castle and the very promising The Blacklist as opposition. It's hard to see the mid-season Intelligence ranking anywhere other than #3 and it would be wise for CBS to move the series to a less competitive night like Wednesdays or, even Friday nights where it will be more likely to develop an audience. I see this program as one that people DVR and may (or may not) ever watch later. While other shows survive being second choice viewing, it's not a good place for a new series to start from.

Personally, I hope the series last more than 10 or 14 episodes and lasts to a second season, hopefully on a different night of the week.

I don't know why people complain about this show. It is an amazing show with lot of potential and great acting. It started out a little slow with the subject of Gabriel and his wife but the episodes are better and better each week, the sparks are coming out. Unfortunately, people now days enjoy only shallow TV shows with romance and no substance. The characters are really interesting and their interaction is becoming more appealing every week, so is the plot and the way that writers put it up together. I also enjoy Riley's character since I honestly miss some strong woman character in the most of the shows and she is more alluring every week. I still have confidence that intelligent people will see how great this show is.