This show may be far from perfect, but it has a few good merits that are clouded by both the viewers, and the way the show has been erroneously compared to "Lost" and "24". To start with, after the pilot, the story began to run it's path into a twisted pretzel of unexplained events and occurrences that are slowly turning out with explanations. Sure, the flashing back and forth may do more harm than good at first, but maybe, it could lead to something better. I was against that tactic, until I stopped griping myself, and just eased up. Once you do this, the show is quite fun.
What the show has me at now, is the human interest. The story lines that show the difference between Simon and Sophia (good detainees) as opposed to Thomas (bad detainee)are really interesting. You have the former acting more like humans for the sake of all people, detained or civilian, and the conflict lays in the fascistic way that character Thomas is hell bent on freeing his people at any cost. There are layers of drama therein, and if people stop whining about all the negative aspects they see in this show, they might actually like it. You still don't know who you can trust so early on, and that's a good thing. Its meant to keep the viewers wondering.
Now for the cast. I say as much that Blair Underwood has been given a pretty crappy character in the president. He seems to make a bunch of pompous decisions, and doesn't really know what he's doing. Zeljko Ivanek needs a little more to do. His character is strong, but under utilized at this point. (7 episodes in) Laura Innes and Ian Anthony Dale carry the show tremendously as two of the "detainees" who care about the human condition, and the ways of the world they are living in. They're probably the best characters on the show. Jason Ritter and Sarah Roemer have a nice storyline that has it's own merits of suspense, but no real human interest. If they were removed from the show, it would be no big deal. The main interest lays in the governmental aspects. I will say, however, that Heather McComb as Agent Collier steals the show whenever on screen. I hope she sticks around.
Anyway, my point is that is really has enjoyable qualities and a few merits, and if some of the people would just stop complaining and just watch the show with a more opened mind unbiased or clouded by judgment, they might enjoy it. I do.
What the show has me at now, is the human interest. The story lines that show the difference between Simon and Sophia (good detainees) as opposed to Thomas (bad detainee)are really interesting. You have the former acting more like humans for the sake of all people, detained or civilian, and the conflict lays in the fascistic way that character Thomas is hell bent on freeing his people at any cost. There are layers of drama therein, and if people stop whining about all the negative aspects they see in this show, they might actually like it. You still don't know who you can trust so early on, and that's a good thing. Its meant to keep the viewers wondering.
Now for the cast. I say as much that Blair Underwood has been given a pretty crappy character in the president. He seems to make a bunch of pompous decisions, and doesn't really know what he's doing. Zeljko Ivanek needs a little more to do. His character is strong, but under utilized at this point. (7 episodes in) Laura Innes and Ian Anthony Dale carry the show tremendously as two of the "detainees" who care about the human condition, and the ways of the world they are living in. They're probably the best characters on the show. Jason Ritter and Sarah Roemer have a nice storyline that has it's own merits of suspense, but no real human interest. If they were removed from the show, it would be no big deal. The main interest lays in the governmental aspects. I will say, however, that Heather McComb as Agent Collier steals the show whenever on screen. I hope she sticks around.
Anyway, my point is that is really has enjoyable qualities and a few merits, and if some of the people would just stop complaining and just watch the show with a more opened mind unbiased or clouded by judgment, they might enjoy it. I do.