Second Chance

I thoroughly enjoyed this series. How unfortunate it was not given many more episodes. I hate that I was not given closure, what will happen to Ottos's prediction that there were violent side effects for Pritchard!

When I read the plot line I wasn't overly enthralled, just figured I'd give it a go. So glad I did.

There are some really interesting characters here, most of whom are deliciously flawed, with interesting relationships and interactions between them.

Visually pleasing, an interesting extension of technology and software that we already take for granted (and the slightly darker big brother aspect to it with the developers using it for their own ends without conscience) is a believable near future that makes the more esoteric sci-fi storyline feel more natural.

The plot for the first episode was a bit 'seen it before', but I think a necessary lack of invention in order to establish the story and give us an immediate understanding of the prime characters. I expect the plots will thicken up nicely.

I'm really looking forward to seeing how this develops; early days but has serious potential, for me, the best show so far this year and I'm eager to see more.

There are countless series and movies out there where the main character is an ex-cop who, because of some excuse, becomes some sort of lone wolf vigilante with the help of some organization or the government or some technological miracle etc. or a combination of the above.

"Second Chance" is the latest addition to the pile! The "excuse" here is supposedly based on Mary Shelley's classic novel Frankenstein. (The producers were even thinking calling the series "The Frankenstein Code").

An 80 y.o. ex-sheriff (played by the veteran Philip Baker Hall) is murdered and his body not only comes to life (!) but it is rejuvenated and genetically improved by a couple of billionaire twins (who invented the facebook or something). He becomes a 30 y.o. stronger version of him retaining in the process ALL his previous memories in every detail! Soooo, this has absolutely nothing to do with Frankenstein, which was a dull monster, sum of bodyparts from many different corpses and no memories whatsoever!!!

The basic set-up of "Second chance" is something you've seen a gazillion times on TV (Intelligence, Agent-X, The Player etc. etc.), i.e. a lone wolf action hero with high-tech support and some sort of secret.

The key question is "Is it fun?". Well, too soon to tell (I just saw the unaired pilot). The main plot of the pilot (some crooked FBI agents) are pretty much resolved. There is no mystery in that plot-arc.

So, I guess, the main character Ray (they should have named him ...Frank!) would start taking assignments "to clean the city" as an ex-sheriff he ones was. His job will be fairly easily having superhuman power and 2 billionaires hackers who can easily penetrate any database and yada-yada-yada etc. etc. You ve seen it a millions times before.

In the next episodes I'm pretty sure we will see Ray breaking-in in some facility wearing an earpiece and exchanging "witty" comments with the Twins.

Overall: Nothing special so far. Seems like a work in progress. Didn't hate it, but it looks like it will become an average unimpressive same-o show.

UPDATE after 10th ep.: I know the ratings are extremely low, but the show has improved during its course. It is "another excuse" for a special consultant cop, but the backbone of its main plot arc is also strong. And even the actors and their chemistry together were improved. A couple of twists were welcome too. So I increase my rating and hope for its continuance, although against all odds.

First of all they changed the title from The Frankenstein Code to Second Chance. Why? I have to guess they think we're stupid and can't handle such a cool title. And I really enjoy this show from the few episodes I've seen. I like the cast and acting. It isn't perfect but hey, it's only episode 3! Now Fox has moved the show to Fridays. I can handle Fridays, but I don't want them to cancel the show. If you believe the internet it doesn't look good for the show.

IMDb gives it a 7.9! I'll give it an 8 and some room for improvement. Other shows are below this rating.

The title 'Second Chance' though appropriate isn't a good title. They must have been forced to change the title by a bunch of suits. A show with The Frankenstein Code would pull in more viewers. Change it now! Why couldn't you? But you won't because it's probably too late.

I will be sad to see this show go after so few episodes. I've read elsewhere people saying 'There goes Fox again!' It makes it difficult to even care about a show when it may not be given a chance. I really really hope they do. Fingers crossed. P.S. And with episode 3's big and deserved early reveal... should I watch another episode? I will for the cast, crew and what could have been a great run.

Jimmy Pritchard (Philip Baker Hall) is not the most lovable guy. He has always been irascible and too independent to be a team player. Now at age 75, the ex-sheriff resents the ravages of time. His son, Duval (Tim DeKay), is an FBI agent who plays by the book. He never lived up to his father's expectations.

Jimmy stumbles across some men breaking into his son's office and they terminate him. But his death catches the eye of a socially-handicapped savant (Adhir Kalyan as Otto Goodwin) who lives with his twin sister (Dilshad Vadsaria as Mary Goodwin)--a sister who is dying of cancer--and he devises a plan to apply his research in hopes of resurrecting Jimmy. His ultimate goal is to forestall Mary's imminent death.

Obviously, this falls squarely in the science fiction genre and it is not for all viewers.

I don't find any of these characters riveting, but I enjoy the intersection of their personalities. Jimmy is rough around the edges and headstrong. Duval is quiet and plays by the rules. And Mary is intelligent, but vulnerable due to her affliction. For various reasons, each needs the others. As of the second episode, I find this show enjoyable.

The final parameters of the show's episodic format are yet to be revealed, but I am watching to see how things develop.

Thus far, the twins are the most interesting part of the show, perhaps due to the acting, but all of these characters have plenty of room to grow.