Frankenstein Code

I'm always looking for a new show to enjoy in any genre, so when I read the plot I was intrigued. It may not have a huge budget or a cast full of house hold names, Second Chance is quickly becoming something I look forward to each week.

I always give a show at least 3 episodes before I can make a judgment on it fully, and after the third, I hope this show can continue on for a good span of time. It may not be the most profound show out there, but it certainly has good characters and interesting ideas going on which could lead to tons of possibilities.

Definitely give it a shot if you liked the plot summary. It's in between a crime detective type of story and a superhero novel, among many other things, and I mean come on, who wouldn't want a second chance at life?

My wife of 50 yrs and I really enjoyed the 1st installment of this series. There have been many stories on TV where someone went back in time to their youth, but not many where a person was "reborn" with their memories, time, and events unchanged. For a senior to have to come to grips with the fact that today he inhabits a 30 year old body with all attending looks and strength is an intriguing thought. All of us seniors have imagined going back in time and doing some things over, but not just getting considerably younger and going forward with a new life. I found myself thinking, wow! what would I do, how would I handle family and finances now that I have an extra 60 or 70 years to live. How are people going to react to the behavior of a young man, mature beyond his years?? We have all seen many men in their 30's act like teenagers, but not very many that behave with the patience, empathy, and deliberation of 70+ years. Can't wait to see how the story lines progress.

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.

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!