Limitless

I'm not understanding the hate this show is getting. I get that the show probably didn't go where a lot of people thought it would, being a sort of continuation of the 2011 movie "Limitless" but honestly, the way people seem to think it should of gone is boring in my opinion. Every show out there seems to be full of heavy content and really dark, and this show, while still having some heavy themes, is like watching the show equivalent of a rainbow. And I love that! It's light, it's funny, it's well-cast (despite what people say about the lead, who, IMO, is the best part of the show) and it doesn't need to go in a darker, more intricate direction. I mean, also consider that as I write this, the season is only half done, and there's plenty time for more political intrigue or whatever people seem to think this show is lacking. But in my opinion it's a good show as it is now: it's refreshing. It's similar to a cop show, but it is unique because it's not about a cop, it's about a guy effectively functioning as a human Guinea pig for cops. It's a different perspective. It's about how his job, and the drug, affect his life.

It's not a Netflix show or an HBO show so don't go in expecting something like House of Cards... it's great for what it is, and that is a sometimes cheesy network show. I love this show and it's my favorite on TV right now, it makes me happy, and it's nice to watch after a long day. I don't know why people were expecting some sort of break out crime drama rated MA because if you recall the film that this show gets its premise from was mediocre at best. There's nothing wrong with this show that can't be summed up by saying that it's not your cup of tea. If you like happy, funny shows, with realistic and dimensional characters and quick-witted scripts, then you'll like this show.

I LOVE This show. It is the freshest thing on the air along with "Spotless", which is another category entirely.

What are so many of these reviewers not seeing?

The scripts are funny, clever, beautifully implemented. The characters are truly realized. It's fun and current, light and bright.

I had my doubts as to how a series would be constructed based on the movie, which I also very much enjoyed. But I could not see how the show would stretch for episodic TV. Bringing joyful Brian in lifts the darker material. The dialogue is quick and spot on. It's apparent a great deal of effort has gone into this production, and I am grateful for it.

I have relished every single episode.

I love this show because of the premise and the idea that we could all improve our lives by just making smarter choices. It's also fun with a likable protagonist.

Even though I would have loved to see a season two, I can understand why this show was cancelled.

-- The protagonist, Brian is laid back. I get it. He's showing that he's a regular guy the audience can identify with. But ultimately, it undercuts tension for him to be a party dude in a thriller. A show that played this well was Psych.

-- The show is laden with soap opera dramas that linger too much on emotion and don't ultimately change the big story. Whenever the father shows up, for example.

-- Although the show has a high-level story arc, it is fragmented. Without a strong sense of purpose, and momentum, the high-level story can't be gripping. I got the sense that there wasn't a well-mapped-out big idea driving the backstory and mystery, but rather guesswork by the writers.

-- Beyond the high-level story, the procedural nature of the show underserves its premise (an intelligence pill), and the smart cop thing has been done before. It's Sherlock Holmes all over again. It's so repetitive that the show has to keep coming up with unusual crimes and unusual crime-solving methods. But a TV show shouldn't be about the mechanics; it should be about the people. The premise naturally leads to more of a thriller / horror / drama like Breaking Bad or The Man in the High Castle.

-- Plot holes take us out of the show. I get it, a cop show isn't supposed to be realistic. But there are some sloppy twists and turns, choices that don't make sense for the characters or their organizations.

-- The show seemed caught between celebrating the intelligence drug and showcasing the horrors of addiction. You can't do both. It learned more towards the celebrating. I read online that the superpowers coming through a pill-based drug was a major factor in the show not being renewed. It's too close to the implication, "taking cocaine is okay if it makes you productive".

-- Finally, and most fatally, one of the show's heroes is under the thumb of (omitted), and gives in too much, seeming not to be bothered when crimes are committed. A protagonist with moral failures becomes less likable, less easy to root for. There should have been a giant struggle there instead of camaraderie, like in Daredevil and Luke Cage fighting the organized crime trying to blackmail them.

A lot of TV shows have a bumpy first season, for example Star Trek the Next Generation or Veep. I would love to have seen if they could have turned this into a miracle show. And I still love the premise. But I think structurally, there was too much wrong with this. So I can see why they cancelled it.

I showed up pretty late.. I didn't even know there was a TV series until I was curious one night and looked up "Real Life NZT" I didn't find anything.. but I found out CBS has a t.v series for the actual movie.

Man.. I gave it a shot, and its actually a really good series (in my opinion) I've never written a review for a movie or for a TV show or anything before. after watching the whole first season in two nights, i had to find a forum or blog or SOMETHING that I could use to write about this TV show.

its awesome! i love it. its cheesy and corny at times but it actually makes me laugh. legitimate chuckles! great show, i would be very disappointed to see that they won't make a second season. At least a second season.. come on pleaseeee

sincerely, jacob

How this didn't get renewed for a second season is baffling. There wasn't one episode I didn't like. The main character, Brian, is just great, as are the rest of the actors. It has just the right amount off comedy mixed with some pretty dark stuff too, plus really cool visual effects thrown in. Some shows seem to plod along, episode to episode, without much else really going on, but this isn't one of those shows. lots of really clever stuff and 'how the hell is he going to get out of this one' type scenarios, without it being over the top. I've watched it twice and I'm STILL annoyed it ended!