Aquaman

This one could not have been better than it was: the rather short but costly to produce pilot episode for a proposed ''Mercy Reef'' series (quickly renamed Aquaman, when it went on sale on iTunes - the title it always should have had) was intriguing, well-done, full of interesting sub-plots involving a wide-array of solid supporting characters. This was truly considerably better than, say - the Smallville pilot? Or that most recent pilot they gave Mr. Moulton's creation, with Adrianne Palicki in the lead role... Yes, the same Adrianne who plays a Siren in this great pilot right here! Yes, folks, believe it: the Aquaman pilot undeniably was better than those two other pilots - one officially a failed one while the other begat a drawn-out series that probably ran for way too long as it was... (Just ask Tom Welling!)

Justin Hartley is Aquaman - much moreso than the cool guy who portrayed the role first and subsequently in various Smallville episodes. It is sad to see so many uninformed individuals nowadays claim that the Justin Hartley Aquaman footage they stumble upon on YouTube, for instance, is ''fake'' and that he only ever was Green Arrow on that other show - well, no, he was not! He was Aquaman first and this show was a GO until the merger that gave birth to the CW network made it impossible (although the real reason was budget concerns for each episode, if it was to continue forth. Yes, the haters will find it impossible to believe it, but this pilot here was indeed one of the most expensive to have ever been produced, ALL-TIME! If it had been as cheap to produce as The Big Bang Theory, Entourage or, indeed, the first five seasons of Smallville, AQUAMAN would have been ongoing - but under the more poetic title of ''Mercy Reef'' most certainly...)

It is ironic to note that Justin was replacing the first choice for the part here -I forget his name, sorry- and that, later on, he also got ditched for the part of Arrow when Smallville ended and Arrow spun-off into his own series - a cheap one to produce, you've guessed it, which is why it is still going as we post this here. Thus, now, neither role is officially ''his'' in many people's minds - as even Aquaman became that guy from American Idol's exclusive part, and it was him (Alan Ritchson - now I remember this one's name - alas) delivering the most profound lines written for the character of Aquaman but also for any super-hero on television - ever (veritable sermons about the significance of being a hero in today's world, what it means to the masses and well-being of the entire planet; Arthur Curry was effectively teaching the wet-behind-the-ears Clark Kent how to act... Super!) and it was all through Alan Ritchson's mouth, not Justin's.

People also marvel at the fact that Ving Rhames refused to be a part of another Mission Impossible fiasco - but accepted the part of Aquaman's mentor in this (at the time, sure-to-be ongoing) series. Why marvel at this when it is obvious that Ving had a better role in this one than he ever would have had playing second fiddle to Cruise? The dynamic between young AQ and McCaffery here was producing excellent dialogue and it would have been far greater than what we had seen going on between Jonathan ''Duke of Hazzard'' Kent and Clark: alas, we will never see the rest of it now.

Lou Diamond Philips' participation was also stunning quite a few - for no reason, too. After all, the Man From Atlantis himself was interested in the part of Aquaman's adoptive father: Patrick Duffy had been quoted saying that he very much loved the whole ''wink- wink'' aspect of the thing, in an interview given to TV Guide. They couldn't work it out contractually, that's all - so Lou stepped in and was immediately seen anchoring a solid supporting cast here that included many recognizable faces, most notably Daniela Wolters (now Deutscher) as Atlanna, Aquaman's mother, and Rick Peters as Agent Brigman - sort of a cross between Fox Mulder and some sort of precursor to... Agent Coulson? (See why I waited so long to review this - hindsight is always 20/20!)

The pilot's storyline itself is much more than the summary blurb says here, too: there is considerably more going on than just a young Florida Keys dude finding out he can breathe underwater! In fact, the story set up here would have made for several seasons of great adventure, as it incorporated elements of mystery, supernatural, mythology and more! Aquaman is, after all, not a mere super-hero but much more than that: through his links to the sea and Atlantis, he immediately becomes a larger-than-life force of nature, modern mythology personified at its best especially in these times of ecological concerns. Most so-called ''fans'' fail to see that - and that is just so sad. Thankfully, the pilot's writing team were not so blind and they cooked up a fascinating plot involving the Bermuda Triangle, Atlantis, a bit of an X-Files feel to it, mythological creatures waiting in tow (for sure - one shows up here and she was but the first emissary) and then we have a young Arthur Curry discovering his true nature and awesome heritage.

This would have been a great TV series - and we can easily call it the greatest genre TV series that never was, beyond ONE SINGLE EPISODE...

Buy it on iTunes! (I'm sure it's still there!)

And see you when this gets revived as... a major motion picture (but James Cameron needs not bother to volunteer to direct; nor should Marky Mark bother to audition for the part!)

I do not agree with the other post. The show had a lot of potential, and unfortunately, it was not given the chance. It was after all a pilot, so they were setting up the story lines. Justin Hartley did an excellent job as A.C. His character was rebellious and cocky, but very likable. Ving, Lou, and the rest of the cast did a great job as well. All the actors worked well with one another. I found the story lines to be really interesting, and the special effects were awesome. The ending only left me wanting more, and it left me wondering why the heck CW passed up on it. It's an incredibly stupid decision on their part. They take up another season of 7th Heaven and leave this out? It's still #1 on i-Tunes, and it's been 5 days already. The trailer did really well on you-tube too gaining over 100,000+ views. For the most part, people like it. I would hope by its success on i-Tunes that there's still a chance for this show come mid-season. It's such a shame if this is all we get to see. CW hasn't even come out yet, and already, they made a stupid decision.

I've just watched the Pilot of Aquaman from Itunes and must say that if WB doesn't pick up on this the guys who in charge cant possibly haven't had the time to watch the PILOT... The cast and the storyline along with the crew of small ville really knows what makes things interesting for the viewers... Usually aqua man is quite lame but they have already managed to make lots of fans who would love to follow the show..I really hope that they'll air the show in September... Nowadays it's possible to make great shows in this category due to experience and technology. They've got something here which would make quite a success SO they shouldn't hesitate.... Hope to see the show aired

It's a fun action show, probably would have become a cross between Smallville, X-files and Baywatch. One of the problems with WB and UPN merging is that they are two totally different networks with a different feel for their audiences -- so I almost never watched UPN as they didn't know how to do action+fantasy+personal relationships made so popular with Buffy, Angel, Smallville and Supernatural. CW canceled the show, Aquaman aka Mercy Reef, WB had greenlighted. Luckily you can see the Aquaman pilot on iTunes and judge for yourself their decision to kill the show before it aired.

The fantasy bits are Bermuda triangle, Atlantis and a guy who swims fast and sense that he may be able to communicate with underwater denizens. Oh, yeah and the secret navy group investigating strange phenomena. You've got potential complicated relationships -- a young cutie guy who hits on all the bikini babes he can, finds out he's a lost prince, becomes an unselfish do-gooder when he'd rather party while still wanting to solve the disappearance of his mother. Add in a stepfather with Lou Diamonds Philip in the role--played nicey nice a lot like Mr. Kent in Smallville. A girl next door type as his best friend, a woman naval pilot with a chip on her shoulder, and a big tough black guy who gives him a Shakespeare play as training for his destiny (Aquaman is Mr. Action, mind you, not a reader so he is not as appreciative of the gift as he really just wants to learn to kickass). And a really wicked mermaid--I mean siren. Add bikinis and shirtless hunks for eye candy. Only thing missing from the formula is a wicked manipulator like Dan in One Tree Hill but that would have come later. And a close male friend who is either another hunk, a techy geek or a funny sidekick. Script needs a little more work, though, as occasionally the lines sounded a little comic- booky. CW canceled Aquaman in favor of Runaway and Hidden Palms (they both sound more suitable for the over 40 crowd who watch CBS) which I think they will probably regret. It's a pity the new execs at CW don't understand that Aquaman appeals to WB fans aged 30 and under. It's a pity more episodes weren't made -- could've started a new trend -- a canceled show never airs but becomes a hit while viewed on itunes and then becomes a major motion picture. After all superheroes seem to do better at the box office than the small screen. Oh well. Have a good time watching the pilot as sadly that is likely to be all we will see of Aquaman.

I think that the CW needs to bring it back or another network should pick it up. How would everyone like to go about getting Mercy Reef back on the air. E-Mail The CW or what. They have supernatural, gilmore girls, they need more action/adventure on. Supernatural is good, but for the die hard comic book fans it is not enough look at all the movie that are based on comic books. How many people grew up reading comics I know I did I guess the people that turned it down has lived a sheltered life or they must be so rich they just don't care about making money. My wife really dosen't read comics that much but she liked it and was asking me when it comes on it is just disappointing that CW wouldn't give it a fair chance NBC came out with heros and it's doing great so come on CW BRING IT BACK you need another good action show on.....