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Finder S01E01: Another winner!
- Details
- Category: TV Talk
- Published on Wednesday, 18 January 2012 06:25
- Written by Brian Fahrlander
- Hits: 22
I have to admit, I've taken on the extra work of 'screening' these new series and didn't expect to like them. So much TV anymore is just dumb, vulgar, or attuned to the knuckle-draggers out there if it's not a worn-out variation on a theme like forensic shows.
But this one's better.
The Finder is a breath of fresh air. Cliche', sure but it's true. It's a whole new set of characters, doing fun things, and they have enough debt you can care about them.
The Finder is an ex-Air-Force pilot that washed out; he suffered brain damage, but it gave him some unique skills that compel him to hunt, and make him good at it.
The team is varied and fun. The lead, Geoff Stults is responsible, smart, dedicated, and unconventional. He knows when he goes to find things, he often finds things the seeker doesn't want.
He has a way of finding the truth that's more subtle than Monk, more conventional than House, and pretty much a style of his own.
For reasons that are unclear, he lives with a girl he's taken in, played by Maddy Hasson. She's a troubled kid who has the aptitude of a cat burglar and second-story man. Her mom's in Alaska and she wants to be with her, but the parole officer wants her in jail.
I get the feeling this character will develop over the next few episodes. She's not all what she seems to be. Ever. For anyone. Or any reason.
The lead also lives with a character actor you've known for some time: Michael Clark Duncan. You might remember him from Green Mile.
He's thankful to the lead for finding him and changing his mind. He's an optimist and a great balance; I wish I had a friend like him. You probably will, too.
It's not about charisma; it's about leadership.
When it comes to charisma, that would be the policewoman friend of his. She has a past that's almost perfect, and sometimes these guys work to find the answers she needs, too. They also cover for each other the way true friends do.
I guess I'm just a sucker for brunettes with brown eyes and hair. She, too, is another great character.
But there's something I've been hiding.
It's essentially Burn Notice done by different people with a variation of the theme. Remember how I said there's a lot of bad variations? This isn't one of them.
There's the two buddies, the sexy girlfriend, and a world that's broken and in need of mending. This one's also set in Florida, just like Burn Notice. With the scenery, I almost expect to see Fi and Michael drive by in the charger!
But what makes these two series work is what makes all TV good:
- Characters you can care about
- Plot lines that aren't burned out and stupid
- Few cheesy special effects
- Lots of variations possible to the crew and scenario