The Journeyman Blog

This season, I’ll be summing up this unusual 2007-2008 season with a post-mortem on the majority of the shows I’ve reviewed during the year, ranking from the very worst to the very best.  In some cases, the term “post-mortem” is all too applicable.  This is Part 7 of this 11-step journey, focusing on the first season of “Journeyman”.

Unlike fellow freshmen “Bionic Woman” and “Moonlight”, “Journeyman enjoyed a solid production and writing staff and a singular vision.  There were few (if any) examples of forced revision along the way, and the showrunner was able to put together a smart and mature story arc over the course of 13 episodes.  With all that going for the series, what went wrong?

In short, four things held “Journeyman” back from the success that it deserved.

First and foremost, the network had no concept of the kind of show they had in hand.  Based on all the promotional material sent out before the show aired, the network seemed to think that it would be a slightly different take on “Quantum Leap”.  The descriptions were so similar that many potential viewers refused to watch the show based on that impression alone.

The second problem was scheduling.  Two promising shows had failed in the exact same timeslot the season before (“Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip” and “The Black Donnellys”).  In some respect, that was a failing on the part of the shows in question, but the post-“Heroes” timeslot was quickly acknowledged as a showkiller.  After all, the “CSI: Miami” war machine was solid in that hour, making it very hard for a new scripted show (especially one given deceptive promotion) to gain ground.

With the show being something different than promised, and the timeslot less than ideal, the series had to start with a solid and compelling pilot.  This was the third problem: the very first episode began with a confusing and mediocre first half.  It wasn’t until Livia arrived on the scene that the premise began to take shape, and the final act was more than worth the wait.  Unfortunately, quite a few potential viewers chose to turn the channel before any of that happened.

Even so, the series had average ratings as a start, so it might have gained ground.  This is where the fourth and fatal problem arose.  To put it simply, a number of viewers were put off by the mature tone of the series.  The show was less about time traveling antics (though there were quite a few) and more about the effect of the unplanned and unwanted time travel on Dan Vassar’s personal and professional life.  It was a show about relationships, and a fairly realistic depiction of what such a phenomenon would do to an already troubled relationship.  (Ironically, strong characters and ongoing consequences are often desired by genre fans.)

Week after week, the show lost viewers.  For some, the true intentions of the show just weren’t interesting enough.  For others, they had little patience for a narrative that demanded patience.  In many respects, “Journeyman” was similar to “Invasion”, a series from the 2005-2006 season that seemed to start slow, but was taking its time to set up conflicts and consequences.

Hopefully the inevitable DVD set will allow for a second look at the series.  I think a number of people who passed on the show during first run will be surprised if they revisit the show in its entirety.  After all, the series earned a Critical Myth average rating of 7.6, and it was consistently above average along the way.  “Journeyman” was a smart show about consequences and character, and it deserved better than it received.

By all accounts, this is the final episode of the series, and fans of intelligent genre drama should be very unhappy at such a turn of events. As this episode demonstrates, there was a keen eye towards continuity, and the writers had a very clear sense of where the story was going. It’s rare to see such consistency, and under better circumstances, this might have been a narrative with depth akin to the excellent and oft-misunderstood “Lost”.

Because of the struggle to keep the show on the air, and the desire on all sides to bring a sense of closure to Dan’s situation, the episode is a bit uneven. On the one hand, the majority of the episode appears to progress as originally planned, adding another layer to the overall mystery of the time travel ability. Other scenes feel shoe-horned into the episode to bring some of the character arcs to a suitable resting place. Unfortunately, any sense of resolution is subtle, because the writers were just beginning to explore the depth of the concept.

As it stands, one can look at “Journeyman” as the story of Dan’s struggle to accept his new state of being. By the end of this episode, Dan has made the conscious choice to continue traveling into the past, promising always to return home. Dan seems to understand the possibility that his life will fall apart, but he’s willing to take that risk. Similarly, Livia decides to build a life similar to Dan’s in her own time, despite their past, and one gets the distinct feeling that they will work together to help others and each other as long as they can.

Evan’s story is yet another cautionary tale for Dan, making it clear that going “off the mission” can have devastating consequences. As usual, every mistake has a consequence. There are interesting hints about the nature of the “powers that be” and their methods. One could speculate that new travelers are “called” when an existing one dies, but the individuals available must meet some unusual characteristics (such as being born during a given celestial event).

Dan’s expository discussion with Dr. Langley builds on the existing mythology by detailing what is known about the travelers. Or, rather, he explains as much as he is willing to reveal. Dan appears to be the last of a select category of humans able to travel through time. The mechanism is unknown, but it is believed that some agency is guiding or controlling the process. Some wish to understand that dynamic, while others clearly wish to exploit it, by any means necessary.

In essence, Dr. Langley brings a little more context to Dan’s experience, but it’s mostly a summary of what has already been revealed. That might have been a means of propelling the story forward had the series survived, but as it stands, it just crystallizes Dan’s new status quo so that the audience can understand what his final decision means. Jack’s interaction with Langley was priceless, however, and it’s great to see how quickly Jack has turned into one of Dan’s strongest supporters.

There’s no denying that “Journeyman” had much more story to tell, and that this “finale” is simply not enough to satisfy fans when it should have been just another strong episode. Hopefully there will be a DVD set in a near future with enough additional information and insight to give a better sense of closure.

Writing: 2/2
Acting: 2/2
Direction: 2/2
Style: 2/4

Final Rating: 8/10

(Series Final Rating: 7.6)

Written by Tracy McMillan
Directed by Steven DePaul

With every new episode of “Journeyman”, it is ever more clear that the writers had a very strong sense of direction. More than that, the scope and depth of the concept had been explored, and the writers were ready to take the logical consequences of Dan’s situation to the bitter end. This episode is the perfect example of taking progressive steps with previously established rules. The possibility was always there, but how many writers would have gone so far?

The twist in question, of course, is the latest exploration of the “butterflies and hurricanes” concept. As seen in countless other films and shows, the idea is that a single event, however seemingly meaningless, can result in catastrophic consequences. In this case, Dan drops a present-day digital camera into 1984 Silicon Valley. Generally speaking, very little has changed; technology has advanced more quickly, but that’s about it. For Dan, however, it means his son was never born, instead “replaced” by a daughter named Caroline.

Dan’s reaction is the emotional core of the episode. The writers had long since established that Zach was more important to him than just about anything else, including Katie. For him, this is a crushing blow, and more than enough reason to go back and restore the timeline. Of course, that’s not how Katie sees it, because she has no shred of memory of the “true” version of reality. Because nothing else has changed, she understands exactly what Dan’s reaction implies, and from her perspective, it means the loss of a daughter.

What makes this so interesting is that the cast sells the dilemma completely. Dan’s loss of Zach was a complete accident; he has no choice but to make things right (even as Caroline tries to understand why Daddy is acting like she’s done something wrong). From Katie’s perspective, Dan is essentially planning Caroline’s murder, callously wiping her out of existence. Nothing Dan says is going to make Katie realize that her own memory of the “new” timeline will disappear as if it never happened.

Meanwhile, Katie is searching for answers, and her sister happened to have a psychic ready to offer a Tarot reading and advice. At first, this seems like a way to address Katie’s growing sense of hopelessness, and the reading reinforces her worst fears: she cannot control the situation in her household. Then Dan walks in on the session, and things take an unexpected turn. The psychic is stunned by Dan’s presence, and mentions Zach by name. Considering that this is within the time where Zach never existed, it’s a chilling moment.

One might have assumed that the role of the psychic was then complete; in a compelling twist, she further reveals that a specific astrological event took place on Dan’s birthdate, an event that only happened once more during the century: Livia’s birthdate. At the same time, Jack was investigating the FBI file on Dan, and discovered that their father had taken a picture between young Dan and Dr. Langley in the 1970s. The implication, of course, is that Dr. Langley knew that Dan was someone to watch in the future.

All of these elements come together (along with some additional compelling character work) in a stunning episode that highlights everything great about “Journeyman” and the potential still waiting to be exploited. Unfortunately, this is currently the penultimate episode for the series. Those interested in seeing the series survive beyond 2007 should visit http://savejourneyman.net/ and join the effort to save the show!

Writing: 2/2
Acting: 2/2
Direction: 2/2
Style: 3/4

Final Rating: 9/10

Written by Tom Szentgyorgyi
Directed by Lesli Linka Glatter

Despite my high expectations for this show, I’m still impressed by how strong the writing has become. Ever since the shaky first half of the pilot, I’ve been deeply impressed by the maturity of the writing, and that hasn’t changed. The same elements keep bringing me back for every new episode: the insightful exploration of personal relationships, the implications for Dan and Livia, and the dense continuity. Loose ends are few and far between, and that gives the audience a reason to return.

This episode certainly delivered on the first promise. Christmas-themed episodes can be too much of a temptation for a writing staff; they can become mired in nostalgic sentimentality or pretentious self-importance. Above all, they have the annoying tendency of including a holiday-inspired message, draped in the potential for long-term character growth, but often a momentary nod to audience expectation.

This Christmas episode was far more compelling because it left most of the clichés off the table. Instead, it explored some of the realistic aspects of the holidays. Dan found himself remembering his father’s decision to leave, worried that he might be forced to make the same decision. Katie found herself suffering the aftereffects of the traumas of “Blowback”, finding an unexpected ally in the process. Jack and Theresa struggle with the prospect of a future together, even as Jack wrestles with the reality of keeping Dan’s secret. There’s no sense of immediate or magical Christmas resolution to any of the issues; it’s all just a stepping stone to the next crisis.

Similarly, the implications for Dan and Livia had less to do with the holiday and more to do with the inevitable consequence of their situations. The possible layoffs at the Register were established long ago, so regardless of the holiday timing, the issue was going to hit the fan. Dan’s lack of performance was likewise established, a reasonable outcome of his unexpected travels. Livia’s personal situation had been slowly revealed in recent episodes, but Dan’s family life was clearly meant to factor into her decision to marry. It’s all just peeling back on the layers of the story.

Which is why, in the end, the resolution of the layoff situation was such a disappointment. Dan’s gambit should never have succeeded, at least not as presented, and it all smacks of the holiday-inspired sentimentality that the writers had so carefully avoided. More to the point, it hinged on the idea that various characters, otherwise quite observant, would fail to recognize the similarities between Dan Carson and Dan Vassar. Granted, Dan’s ability to reverse his own layoff could be cathartic to anyone currently suffering the same indignity, but it just seems too easy and contrived.

In the end, it’s the difference between an excellent episode and just a very good one, which is hardly a bad position to face. Had the network had its way, this would have been the final episode for “Journeyman”. Thanks to strong fan support, at least two more episodes will see air. Hopefully those episodes will give this first (and possibly only) season an even better sendoff.

Writing: 2/2
Acting: 2/2
Direction: 2/2
Style: 2/4

Final Rating: 8/10

The unfortunate truth is that “Journeyman” is a show on the ropes, and it doesn’t deserve it. The first ten episodes of this show have been excellent, exploring familiar territory from a mature and satisfying perspective, and it just hasn’t gotten the kind of audience that it should.

This episode provides the conclusion to “Emily”, offering a number of surprises along the way. As the situation began to spiral out of control, particularly in terms of the FBI agent and Jack’s personal involvement with Dan’s ordeal, I was dreading the anticipated “reset button”. After all, the writers had already established that changes in the past could erase knowledge in the present, and the standard solution to the complications introduced in this episode would be just that simple.

Instead, the writers took the less traveled road and let the consequences stand. Jack is now convinced that Dan is telling the truth, which provides Dan with an important ally. Tensions will no doubt continue, especially since Katie and Zach will still be negatively affected by Dan’s travels, but the potential for healing and understanding is there.

Jack is also aware of the fact that the FBI agent’s investigation was non-sanctioned. The implication is that someone in the government knows about the possibility of time travel and has been watching for the signs for some time. One begins to wonder if Livia has been on their radar, or if this has a specific connection to Langley’s research. The bottom line is that Jack has resources to look into any inquiries, but calling on those resources could cause additional problems.

This is probably the strongest time travel scenario shown thus far, which could be a result of tying the consequences of Dan’s decisions directly to his family’s welfare. The paradox at the heart of the story was fun to unravel. Little details, like the constant references to time-appropriate money and the efficacy of antibiotics, added to the realistic exploration of the concept. That sort of thing is easy to miss, but it matters on a practical level.

I’m saddened by the thought that the writers won’t have the chance to explore this new status quo properly. There’s one episode left on the schedule, and then the network has no plans to air the final produced episode. They may choose to cancel the show entirely and release the “finale” on DVD. That would be unfortunate, because unlike some shows that have been given a recent lease on life, “Journeyman” is actually worth the time.

Writing: 2/2
Acting: 2/2
Direction: 2/2
Style: 2/4

Final Rating: 8/10

Written by Juan Carlos Coto
Directed by Fred Keller

According to some sources on the ‘net, “Journeyman” is facing some unfortunate odds. As with most post-“Heroes” shows, “Journeyman” has been struggling in the ratings, and the network is supposedly getting impatient, despite the lack of options in this writers’ strike era. Apparently the ratings for this episode, and its conclusion in the next installment, will be critical to the show’s future.

It’s hard not to take that kind of talk into account when thinking about this episode, because more than ever, it’s clear that the writers have a solid, character-driven story to tell. Considering how rare that can be, and how often genre fans have begged for it, it’s demoralizing to see such lack of support. “Journeyman” is a complicated series with a very mature outlook. The characterization is spot-on, and the writers always keep an eye to consequences.

The writers have also been fairly consistent with the rules surrounding the time-travel at the heart of the series, and that has never been more clear than in this episode. Livia has warned Dan more than once that changing the past can be a major problem, and that it can get ugly. Throughout the episode, there are hints of something unexpected and terrible coming; in every instance, right up until the end, the writers let the situation defuse ever so slightly.

For instance, at one point, Zach has been acting out and gets in a fight. He complains about a headache and then, when Katie is out of the room, seems to disappear. For just a few moments, Dan and Katie suspect that Zach’s been pulled through time as well, and the implications slam the audience like a lead weight. Once again, the audience is reminded that the mechanism and agency behind the time travel is still unknown, and the effects on Dan’s family could be much, much worse. That’s why the final scene hits home; we know how exposed and fragile the Vassars really are.

That’s also well communicated when it comes to Jack. Dan is thankful when his initial efforts seem to gain Jack’s trust; it seems like the corner might finally be turned on their personal conflict. Dan’s decision to change history, of course, resets the button, and it makes him seem even less stable as a result. With the FBI now checking into nearly every aspect of Dan’s life (and zeroing in on the time travel situations with uncanny accuracy), things are coming to a head.

This is an effective first half of a two-episode mini-arc. If nothing else, the network should allow the conclusion to air, but beyond that, it’s impossible to tell. One would hope that the current strike situation would be enough reason to keep the show on the air until the existing episodes are depleted, but even if that happens, it will still be too little of a great show.

Writing: 2/2
Acting: 2/2
Direction: 2/2
Style: 2/4

Final Rating: 8/10

Written by Dana Calvo
Directed by Helen Shaver

If the previous episode was all about setting up the impending complications, this episode is when the complications arrive in full force. The FBI investigation mentioned at the end of the previous episode becomes a major issue of contention, as Dan, Kate, and Jack all react to the potential disaster such attention might bring.

At first, I though the quick misdirections and Jack’s evasiveness would be enough to get the FBI off the scent. After all, that’s what usually happens in most shows dealing with the same plot element. Instead, the writers took the more ambitious and satisfying choice. If anything, the FBI is more interested than ever, and they seem to be very focused on Dan’s possible activities.

This brings me to Dr. Langley. Dan’s previous conversation with him suggested deeper knowledge of time travel and its potential sources, but Langley seemed to be more intrigued than anything else. At this point, it’s far more likely that Langley knows the truth about Dan’s situation, and he’s trying to keep himself out of the spotlight. The idea that Dan’s situation is related to some kind of experimental anti-terrorism initiative is intriguing, especially the notion that Langley wants to keep the government from getting the technology.

Along with that new insight into the time travel origins, we are given more information about Livia. The idea that Livia comes from 1948 was completely unexpected, and it introduces a number of new possibilities. First and foremost, it suggests that Dan could find himself falling into longer and longer missions, especially if Livia was displaced in time for several years. Her time with Dan also adds to the overall sense that the two of them were chosen to work together by some unknown agency.

After all, at this point, only Dan and Livia have been shown to travel through time. Livia had been doing so for quite a while, and then she was displaced for years in a time seemingly designed to bring her into a relationship with Dan. Now she seems to be assigned, for lack of a better term, to helping him during his own travels. The underlying message is that a certain rationale is at work, something that has been assumed for some time but now has solid information to substantiate it.

All of these issues contribute to Dan’s growing sense that he’s losing control, and that is reflected in his mission. He can’t escape his roller coaster ride, but he can help Abby survive hers. It’s a tenuous thematic connection, but it works, especially since the intersections give Dan and Livia enough time to talk. One very nice touch is the strain on Dan and Katie’s relationship. No matter how understanding she might be, Livia’s presence gets under her skin, and it’s starting to show.

The constant escalation of overarching elements is taking an already great show and making it that much better. Considering the ratings situation, the additional effect of the writers’ strike is incredibly frustrating. While the strike forces the network to make full use of the material on hand, it works against the possibility of eventual renewal. I hate to think that this show may very well come to a premature end.

Writing: 2/2
Acting: 2/2
Direction: 2/2
Style: 2/4

Final Rating: 8/10

The typical format for a season arc would suggest that this episode begins the shift from the introductory phase of the season to the complication phase, when previously established plot elements begin to overlap and conflict. This is when the writers begin to show their cards: is this simply an episodic show with a few overarching elements, or is there a more cohesive plan?

The answer given in this episode is rather definitive. All the little mistakes and intersections with history from the first several episodes have come home to roost, and it is not going to be an easy fix. Jack’s personal suspicions have led to something far less discreet and far more impersonal. Where Jack might have held back for Katie’s sake, the FBI has no such compulsion. The final moment of this episode literally changes everything for the Vassar family.

This episode focuses more on the delicate period after Livia’s apparent death, when Dan fell into a personal downward spiral and Katie was the one ready to help him climb back into the light. This kind of story needed time to develop, because now the audience is well-educated on the personal dynamics. Every moment of that fateful night has an effect on Dan and Livia as they struggle to preserve Dan’s “present” existence, and that becomes one of the more important underlying conflicts.

The writers do play fast and loose with the idea that Dan can step into earlier moments in his life without anyone noticing the difference in age, but this has always been one of the conceits of the show. The entire cast seems to look exactly the same for more than a decade, but how else would it work on a television budget? Frankly, I think the show benefits from the attention given to character consistency over technical details.

This is the first time we’ve seen the time travel from Livia’s point of view, which is a very nice touch, and it’s also the longest period of time that Dan has been away from his family. Dan’s absence plays directly into Jack’s eventual confrontation with the FBI, and Livia gets to react to Dan’s “present” lifestyle. This makes Livia a lot more interesting and versatile as a character, bringing her out of the background as a more active presence.

In the end, this is the episode where things escalate to a completely new level, and it does so through careful progression of established plot elements. This requires a talented and patient writing staff. Using the same episode to delve into a key moment in Dan’s past history demonstrates how the deep the focus on the personal cost of this “time travel” can be. That creative decision has made this show the most mature and satisfying series to debut this season.

Writing: 2/2
Acting: 2/2
Direction: 2/2
Style: 2/4

Final Rating: 8/10

According to the ratings, this show is bleeding viewers week after week, and that’s a damn shame. Of all the new shows this season, this is probably the most mature look at a science fiction concept. Fans of the genre constantly beg for depth in character exploration and substance over style. Well, this show is delivering on that desire, but the audience just doesn’t seem to be there.

This episode appears to center on Dan’s mission to save a young man from the effects of his upbringing. Instead, that situation is used to explore the relationship between Dan and his older brother Jack. As soon as the parallel is established, the emotional thrust of the episode becomes that brotherly bond. Along with the audience, Dan begins to recognize his brother’s desire to protect his younger sibling from himself.

In the middle of that conflict is Katie, who apparently has a history of keeping Dan’s secrets for him. Dan was already having troubles in his life when he asked Katie to marry him, and Jack was not pleased with the idea. This episode makes it clear that Livia’s “death” was just one more event in a lifelong continuum of choices. Dan was already troubled, dealing with their father’s absenteeism, and Jack was a control freak as a result.

The gaps are slowly being filled in the timeline, which in turn places pressure on Dan to understand and control his time travel. Time has been altered several times thus far, but this situation seemed to drive home the implications for Dan. This is something that is likely to be explored in the future, as the rules continue to spool out and Dan’s actions continue to exact consequences.

I still get the feeling that Dan will discover that his time travel is the result of his own choices, perhaps in conjunction with something Livia will reveal to him at some future time. I don’t believe that she’s completely innocent in his selection for time travel or her constant presence during his missions. There’s more to that story, just as there’s more to the connection with Dr. Langley and his “unusual” scientific theories.

If this series is following the classic season arc model, then the next few episodes should include at least one important revelation, most likely propelling the story into a more complicated direction. One can only hope that the series will last that long, because the existing situation is already complex enough to make things interesting. I would love to see where the writers could take this concept with the right amount of time and support.

Writing: 2/2
Acting: 2/2
Direction: 2/2
Style: 1/4

Final Rating: 7/10

It’s a shame that this series is struggling so much in the post-“Heroes” timeslot. It deserves a better showing, given the storytelling at play and the consideration given to the effect, rather than the simple existence, of this extraordinary burden. As always, the best element is the focus on personal relationships, both positive and negative.

The writers were smart to make Kate an ally in Dan’s situation, exploring some of the practical issues of running a household, parenting a young child, and maintaining a career while dropping in and out of time. The beginning of this episode was an immediate hook to any parent in the audience, because it’s the sort of incident that was bound to happen, sooner or later. And of course, Jack is there to manage the fallout of Dan’s disappearance.

I’m once again convinced that Livia’s role in the time travel is more substantial than it seems, given how often she appears to help Dan through each new crisis. It’s quite possible that she’s come to the conclusion that any “real time” attachments are impractical. Livia’s decision not to reconnect with Dan after the plane crash supports the notion that she had learned that lesson earlier in life, and chose to make a relatively clean break.

This could lead in a couple different directions. First, Dan could find his “real time” life so complicated by the accumulation of career, family, and legal issues that the alternative of dropping off the grid with Livia could be very attractive. This is currently tempered by Kate’s support and Zach’s knowledge of his circumstance, but Jack is a thorn in his side and the current stability is dependent on his job at the paper.

The second possibility is that Livia’s assumptive isolation drove her to find a companion, and by whatever mechanism the time travel is initiated, she pushed for Dan to join in her reindeer games. This might explain why she’s been such a presence during his travels. I’m also beginning to wonder if the physics professor is aware of Dan’s situation, and always has been, given how he seemed to prod Dan during their discussion.

The more I see the scope and depth of this series, the more I worry for its viability. It may survive for a bit longer at the current viewership level, but the impending writer’s strike could be a major problem. If a hastily-constructed reality show gets better ratings in the same timeslot, “Journeyman” could get the short end of the stick.

Writing: 2/2
Acting: 2/2
Direction: 2/2
Style: 1/4

Final Rating: 7/10