Tru Calling: compte à rebours

Tru Calling, it's hard to review Tru Calling as it's either a show that's loved or hated, I think that's become clear with different people's opinions on the show. I don't think I've read someone who's on the border of liking and disliking a show. I personally love and adore the show.

Eliza is top notch as Tru Davies, she's believable in her role, not making it too over the top. Her co-stars, Jason Priestly and Scott Reeves compliment Eliza perfectly, most notably Scott. For an underrated actor, who I personally hadn't heard of before the show, he holds up his performance alongside Eliza perfectly. He's believable as the rebellious son, but heartwarming as the loving brother of Tru. Jason Priestly, a late addition to the series cast plays the perfect villain against Tru. He's confident, smug and full of himself, he's everything that Tru isn't, it makes the character work.

The episodes are interesting, unique in there on way, it's not just a simple case of Tru goes back and saves someone, there's different twists that can effect the outcome of her reliving the day. Highlights for me of the first season include the Pilot, the shocking Daddy's Girl, Reunion, Valentine and the 2 part season finale D.O.A and Two Weddings and a Funeral. With the shocking twists that come along the season, Daddy's Girl sets up the series arc brilliantly, it's even furthered by the end of the 2nd part of the season finale. This show has a lot more depth than what it's given credit for.

Most people automatically snub this show because Eliza choose to do it over a Faith spin off from Buffy and Angel. I'm the biggest Buffy/Angel fan and would have loved to see a spin-off. But Tru Calling is an amazing show, that has proven it can hold it's own. Forget the negative comments you've heard about the show. Yes there are flaws, but the hour of enjoyment you receive outweighs them completely.

The only thing I really can say about Tru Calling is that it stumbled in it's first few episodes, gaining it's feet, and this was obvious while watching the episodes, however the writers managed to get the show into a good motion and by the middle of the series it turns out to be one of the only good shows currently airing on TV. With the loss of Buffy, Angel, Friends and Wonderfalls. Good TV is short in quantity, networks clearing these shows to make room for more reality shows that we really have no interest in anymore.

Personally I'd recommend Tru Calling to anyone who was a fan of Buffy or Angel, or anyone who loves supernatural, drama and comedy shows. Forget what the haters say, judge Tru Calling for yourself.

At first glance, Tru Calling may appear to be a "rip off". It has elements of The Dead Zone, Early Edition, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Quantum Leap; even Saved By an Angel. And with vetran writers from shows like Star Trek: Voyager, you might think that you've seen this all before. Well, you haven't!

But, isn't that the way of scifi television? Even Star Trek: The Next Generation could be considered a "rip off". Why do comic book heroes keep reappearing on the screen, after years and years of already knowing their superpowers?

The answer is simple -- good storytelling. And, especially in the second half of the first season, "Tru Calling" found its stride. What makes "Tru" different is that the show seems to seriously care about the themes it presents to you; murder, life, death, and dealing with the ability to change the fate of people facing this prospect. Tru successfully walks the line between tongue-in-cheek Back to the Future/Ground Hog day humor inherent to the premise, and the serious obligation that would be involved if you could change someone's fate. Tru is a great lesson in mortality and touches on how we all deal with death, with a comic book's playfulness. In this way it is like any great adult comic book that gives itself a bit of philosophy.

The first season DVD is highly recommended if in the US. At the time of this writing the show has been canceled by Fox television and the cliffhanger ending may leave you wanting to see the last six episodes, which have yet to air.

CJF

The first 3 episodes were really engaging, fast-paced and had great character and story developments. The show then becomes even better as Tru learns from the people she attempts to save and this show does a great job distinguishing each episode and making them unpredictable. Some episodes are even unforgettable. The main chemistry between Eliza, Zach and Shawn keeps you watching. The mythology of the show really picks up toward the end of the first season and the instant chemistry with Eliza and Jason is addicting. The entire second season revolves around those two and each episode is a can't-miss.

I waited all winter for Tru Calling to come back on the air. And then we get what, 3 episodes? There are only four TV shows I watch regularly. This is one of them. I would much rather watch this than reality TV.Is there anyway to get it back on? i would even be happy with re-runs. And how they just leave us hanging without knowing what is going to happen? The last I could figure, Tru's brother was going to take Jack's place. And what about her father killing her mother and being the opposite of her mom? Would that mean that Jack and Tru are destined to be together also..ya know, opposites attract? There too many unanswered questions. i really hate it when they cancel a series without bringing it to come kind of completion.

The show Tru Calling is really cool and I never miss a episode! Except I missed the first episode the night when it premired but luckily I caught a repeat of it. This is the best drama show on Fox since Dark Angel! The show is about a 22 year old girl named Tru Daives who has a brother named Harrison and a older sister named Meredith and their mother was murdered right in front of Tru and when Tru was younger she wished she could go back to the day and prevent death from even happening but a few years later her wish was granted. So at first Tru tries to get a job at a hospital and then she gets a job at a City Morgue and then she gets these powers to go back and prevent people from dying in the first place and also reliving the whole day. The whole going back and reliving the whole day thing sounds pretty cool! Now that this is one of my favorite shows I have a major crush on Eliza Dushku and AJ Cook (who plays Tru's best friend and Harrison's girlfriend, Lindsay). I hope this show does well especially that Jason Priestly is added to the show that will help also.

User Rating: 10/10

BOTTOM LINE: Best Drama TV-series on FOX since Dark Angel!