Pan Am

For those wanting to bathe in the innocence of the era, the examining of the stereotypes and issues typical of the day, wrapped in a delightful coating of lovely sets, beautiful and convincing actors, and believable scripting, then this is your show.

For those wanting serious period drama and historical accuracy to the nth minutia, then disappointment awaits. (As many reviews reveal) Some TV shows just make you want to puke or punch the screen. Terra Nova is a prime example at the moment. But I find myself quite ensconced by Pan Am. Not once do I find myself saying "oh, that can't be real", or "yeah right!".

Pan Am's believability is determined by the joy shown for their parts by the actors performances. There aren't many shows which the focus is largely on the woman, and their intelligence and courage in what was very much a man's world.

The sets are truly amazing - they actually built a full-size replica Boeing 707 for this show! In summary - if you have fond memories of Pan Am and the era it represented, or just enjoy well-made television, then I think you will find this show delivers.

I've never submitted a review to IMDb, though am a screenwriter and have my own film review blog ... but the two negative reviews of "Pan Am" compelled me to put in my own two cents.

Too much in America, viewers want TV that doesn't make them think (one reason reality shows are so popular) - but even I was surprised by the negative review here that was partially due to the multiple story lines for the "Pan Am". I was easily able to follow all the story lines and characters, and thought the show captured the period (via costumes, music, props, etc.) MUCH better than, say, something like "The Playboy Club". So, SO many people are obsessed or intrigued by the 1960s era, it's a real shame the reviewer who naively put this show down to appealing only to those who go to bed by 10pm was completely clueless that this series has a broad-based appeal for all ages, thanks to story lines and character.

And how, from one pilot episode, can one reviewer make the judgment that this would make a better miniseries? "Pam Am" is excellent in writing, acting, characterization and settling you right into 1963. Worth your time, and I hope following episodes can continue with this quality.

Having flown Pan Am dozens of times from the late 1960's to the mid-1980's, I found the visuals of the show to be right on the mark. Yes, the stewardesses walked gracefully in formation through the airport terminal and all heads turned. Their uniforms, hair and posture were perfect. They were worshiped as goddesses by young men and idolized and envied by young women. Pan Am does a terrific job of portraying this image accurately. The first episode (pilot) attempts to set the table for the following episodes by introducing the viewer to the main characters - Maggie, Collette, Laura, Kate and the mysterious Bridgette. I think that is all the first episode needed to do. The first episode left enough unsaid to make this viewer tune in next week.

I hate to admit it, but I can see why this warm, funny, sexy show was cancelled so quickly. The klutzy comedy totally clashes with the soap opera style sex and the amateurish Cold War spy stuff. But it's really astonishing to see Margot Robbie as she was ten years ago, a total unknown. Her raw talent is incredible, plus she has the curves and whispery innocence of Marilyn Monroe, the regal bearing of Grace Kelly, and the wide-eyed comic timing of Mary Tyler Moore!

Okay - elephants in the room. Dean would never have been a captain at his age and experience level - the union would have gone to war over it. Second baby elephant 'cause she's so tiny - Maggie would never have been a stewardess let alone a purser because she's too short to reach the overhead baggage bins. And she'd only been with Pan Am for 2 years. BUT! This is TV, so what the heck!!

It was fun! As a former pilot I saw aviation goofs, and was proud of myself for how much I remembered and then got back to enjoying the show. I thought the short field take-off in Haiti was brilliant. And it is most certainly a "thing".

Ted was my favorite, most well-rounded character. Kate grew the most. Maggie the most consistent.

I was glad they brought in a genuine cranky "dirty old man" captain, AND a Sky God! That was essential to the story - and they were like that!!! You had to love them! Or loved to hate them. And they DID tell war stories about their flying days in the war. The one's I heard were riotous and comical and if put into a book, no on would believe it - including almost taking out the Taj Mahal one foggy morning.

Yep. THOSE were the days, my friend!! We thought they'd never end.

SO, forgive the hiccups in the series and enjoy it for what it is: Really good, fun entertainment!!