Departure

'Departure' ultimately turned out to be Christopher Plummer's final acting role. But this flashy potboiler about a missing passenger plane feels like little more than an extension of one of those "CSI" shows from America.

Chatty and frantic, with rushed characters introductions, and a range of typically American drama gimmicks you've seen a hundred times before (unrealistically glossy offices, dramatic flashbacks, pompous soundtrack), even the cast looks a bit uncomfortable here.

For some reason, Archie Panjabi even turns up in a strikingly similar maroon leather jacket as her iconic private investigator Kalinda from the superior 'The Good Wife'. It's just a pity the Good Wife writers didn't come with her cool wardrobe.

"Let's find that plane!" declares Archie's Kendra O'Malley in episode 1, in case that weren't obvious as the entire premise. But it's the rushed pace and lack of sensitivity required by material like this, that truly derails any interest.

Compare this to the masterfully suspenseful submarine drama 'Vigil', and you'll truly see what should have been.

Just like a Jigsaw Puzzle that is highlighted on a table the solution for determining the reason for a flight from NYC to London crashing into the ocean is like a puzzle. I think the story and the acting so far through two episodes has been stellar. Sorry to those who like formula tv programs in which the mystery is conveniently solved in the last 5 minutes. I find those programs so predictable that they are extremely boring. Peacock original programing has been high quality when there is such abysmal programing on traditional, commercial tv. And, there are no commercials - a definite perk.

If it wasn't for the lead actress of this show, I wouldn't have gone through the first ten minutes of the first episode. Interesting though.

No reason for bad reviews. It's just an entertaining crime thriller with some twists and turns. Doesn't matter about cliches. Not looking for a emmy here, just a storyline that keeps my attention. Mission accomplished.

British Global Air Flight 716 leaves JFK and disappears somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean. There are 256 on board. In London, aviation expert Kendra Malley (Archie Panjabi) is recruited by her former boss Howard Lawson (Christopher Plummer) to join the investigation. The team has to navigate conflicting motives, multiple suspects, and desperate people with fading hopes of finding survivors. Then one survivor is found.

It's an intriguing mystery premise but the show slowly runs out of steam. I'm not sure that the writing is up to the challenge. It does have some great actors including the legendary Christopher Plummer who dies after filming the second season. That may provide a sad excuse to end this series. Rest in Peace for a beautiful thespian.