thewhiteowl October 3, 2015 Share October 3, 2015 When Brian helps Agents Harris and Boyle investigate the murder of a retired FBI agent, they’re shocked to find a link to the elusive head of a notorious drug cartel. Also, Brian reconnects with an old flame, Shauna but worries her renewed interest is really in the NZT version of him. 1 Link to comment
Netfoot October 7, 2015 Share October 7, 2015 Mr. Sands? He needs to be neutralized ASAP. Alas, they will probably make him a major player for the time being. Why does the FBI dictate the terms of the relationship? Why not refuse the one-a-day deal and request a baggie with 500 in it, repeated on demand? Link to comment
JasmineFlower October 7, 2015 Share October 7, 2015 Although it's nice to see Jake McDorman and Analeigh Tipton together again, it's rather sad that one, very few will realize this is a reunion from a past series, and two, they have more chemistry and make more sense in this brief reunion than they did in the series that focused their relationship. 1 Link to comment
Mecca October 7, 2015 Share October 7, 2015 Why does the FBI dictate the terms of the relationship? Why not refuse the one-a-day deal and request a baggie with 500 in it, repeated on demand? He probably doesn't want to rock the boat too much since this is his only source for the drug. I'm pretty sure the FBI could hold out a lot longer than he could if he started making demands. Also, isn't he only working with the FBI because Bradley Cooper told him too? I can see him making those kinds of demands if doing this job was his choice and he could leave whenever he wanted to. Although it's nice to see Jake McDorman and Analeigh Tipton together again, it's rather sad that one, very few will realize this is a reunion from a past series, and two, they have more chemistry and make more sense in this brief reunion than they did in the series that focused their relationship. I had no idea they worked together previously. The show gave us all of 5 minutes of them together and then he dumped her by the end of the episode. It's kind of hard to feel anything when there was so little time spent with them together. If this storyline had progressed over a couple of episodes, I may have cared more. Although, it did reaffirm that Brian is deep down the same person on and off the drug and that he must live a life of solitude because anyone he gets close too could potentially get hurt. Well, except his immediate family. I guess it's too late for them. I think the old flame plot did more to build his relationship with Rebecca than anything. They've firmly established that she's the only one he can confide in (for the most part). You ran like a rabbit. Now you're gonna die like a snake. ha! :D I love Brian's crazy descriptions/daydreams of what happened that are way off from the actual truth. Tonight we got a 70's cop show and some kind of Scarface rip off. The piranhas in the pool were hilarious to me for some reason. Probably because it was a normal looking pool you would find in a wealthy neighborhood rather than some lake out in the woods. Before tonight, I thought for sure Mike and Ike were just going to be silent agents in the background that Brian would occasionally mock or bounce ideas off of while they stood there stone face. I'm glad they decided to actually give those two personalities (well, at least Mike). I like that Mike isn't charmed by Brian at all. It'll be interesting to see what side jobs Brian will have to do now that he's working for the FBI and the shady looking guy he met at the bar. 1 Link to comment
sjohnson October 7, 2015 Share October 7, 2015 For my taste, this is the only new series I've seen with any real pretenses to being good. Writing a genius must be hard, and the thing will likely crash and burn like most serialized TV shows, but I'm looking forward to the ride. 3 Link to comment
turnitwayup October 7, 2015 Share October 7, 2015 Although it's nice to see Jake McDorman and Analeigh Tipton together again, it's rather sad that one, very few will realize this is a reunion from a past series, and two, they have more chemistry and make more sense in this brief reunion than they did in the series that focused their relationship. Ikr? I gave it a chance since it was between Selfie and AoS but barely got thru one ep of Manhattan Love Story. I love Brian's crazy descriptions/daydreams of what happened that are way off from the actual truth. Tonight we got a 70's cop show and some kind of Scarface rip off. The piranhas in the pool were hilarious to me for some reason. Probably because it was a normal looking pool you would find in a wealthy neighborhood rather than some lake out in the woods. Me too. I love all the thought process visuals tho any time there's math I see Numb3rs. Of all the new shows I'm watching I find this one my fav since I find Brian charming. Link to comment
thuganomics85 October 7, 2015 Share October 7, 2015 Didn't watch Manhattan Love Story, but I knew Jake McDorman and Analeigh Tipton were the leads in that, so I was curious to see them playing exes here. We really didn't get enough time with them together, but I guess they had a natural enough of a rapport. Pretty sure I heard that they are going to reunite Jennifer Carpenter with Desmond Harrington later on, so this must be the show's thing. I guess if your use of Bradley Cooper is limited, Colin Salmon is more then capable of a replacement. His character sounds like he is not going to be a friendly guy. Brian's wacky visions/fantasies were actually pretty entertaining. And I loved how they all ended with Rebecca being like "Really, dude?" So far, the show is been fun enough, but I'm definitely a bit more intrigued over being slowly moved from just cases of the week, but Brian now having to not only deal with his FBI job, but whatever plans Eddie's henchman has planned for him. 1 Link to comment
arc October 7, 2015 Share October 7, 2015 oh god they read the emojis in their texts. Blech. (BTW, here's a clear difference between a network show and a cable one: when You're The Worst (on FXX) has texts, viewers just have to read the texts for themselves; the actors don't read them in voiceover.) Not sure it's a great idea for Sands to threaten a guy who's on NZT. The whole point of Limitless the movie was how Eddie Morra got out of situations by out-thinking everyone else. Now, granted, Brian now has to out-think Morra, but still. 2 Link to comment
Ms Blue Jay October 7, 2015 Share October 7, 2015 (edited) I could not follow this plot at all. Had to turn it off. My conclusions are that I think Jennifer Carpenter is extremely adorable, and that Analeigh Tipton does way too much physical overacting and overacting of the face. It's extremely distracting. It's rude that Brian calls them "Mike and Ike". It's not their fault that that's their job. It's not funny. Edited October 7, 2015 by Ms Blue Jay 1 Link to comment
Free October 7, 2015 Share October 7, 2015 For my taste, this is the only new series I've seen with any real pretenses to being good. Writing a genius must be hard, and the thing will likely crash and burn like most serialized TV shows, but I'm looking forward to the ride. I liked the visuals and so far I do like Brian, it's one of the better shows in a very weak season for me. Link to comment
iMonrey October 7, 2015 Share October 7, 2015 I've never seen a show deviate so sharply from its pilot but the addition of the "thought bubbles" and fantasy sequences has made the show even more comedic than the previous episode, which is a surprise given how serious and unamusing the pilot was. But I'm delighted with the changes, it's easily the best new show this fall IMO. I'm just still really surprised that if, in fact, the network decided to "re-tool" the show after the pilot and make it more of a comedy, they didn't go back and re-film some of the pilot to include some humor in order to let audiences know where they were going. Call me crazy but I think Analeigh Tipton is a dead ringer for Riki Lindhome and I spent the whole episode thinking they were one and the same. 3 Link to comment
arc October 7, 2015 Share October 7, 2015 I could not follow this plot at all. Had to turn it off. Like the second episode, there was a big chunk up top that was purportedly about solving the case but was just a big waste of time. I'm not sure, it's been a while since I last watched a procedural, but I feel like the false leads that other detective-y shows follow don't quite feel so superfluous. Also, as far as the main plot, why would the dirty cops assassinate that guy in a way that's obviously an assassination? Sure, they were somewhat short on time, but they not only took him out with a sniper rifle but they also tried to frame Le Sabre (sp?) for it as well. If you're gonna work that hard for it, and you're not sending a message but just hiding your tracks, you'd be much better off making it look like an accident or at least disappearing the body. 1 Link to comment
shrewd.buddha October 7, 2015 Share October 7, 2015 (edited) We dabble with watching this show .. It makes for a solid procedural, and the humor helps. Two things that I find most fascinating : 1) CBS being mostly complacent with illegal drug use. Let's face it : the main character is a drug addict. (Just like the movie.) He craves the drug, is anxious about not getting the drug and knows the drug is dangerous but continues to take it for the high (albeit an intellectual high). Maybe this will be addressed as the series goes on, but the underlying message that performance enhancing drugs are desirable and can make you a hero seems a bit ... risky? subversive? 2) The main character's hair. It should have it's own thread -- because it seems to have a life of its own. It's not just tousled, but meticulously tousled in each appearance. It's distracting for me ... I begin to ponder how much time the hair people spent deciding which cowlick should go where and what variation will appear next. It's an odd contrast to the FBI woman's straight, pulled-back style. Edited October 7, 2015 by shrewd.buddha 3 Link to comment
Free October 7, 2015 Share October 7, 2015 I've never seen a show deviate so sharply from its pilot but the addition of the "thought bubbles" and fantasy sequences has made the show even more comedic than the previous episode, which is a surprise given how serious and unamusing the pilot was It was a major shift from the pilot, which also dealt with helping his father, so that probably had a darker tone than what this show ended up being. Link to comment
zxy556575 October 7, 2015 Share October 7, 2015 Since Brian is immune from the detrimental affects of NZT, it annoys me that we're supposed to believe he can't string three coherent words together when it wears off. He was presented to us as a slacker, not an idiot with no social skills. And if he's so smart he should know to tone down his manic NZT self so that the differences aren't so apparent to every single person he meets. 1 Link to comment
arc October 7, 2015 Share October 7, 2015 And if he's so smart he should know to tone down his manic NZT self so that the differences aren't so apparent to every single person he meets. In elementary school, I was smart, not a super genius, and even so eventually I learned to stop raising my hand all the time... Since Brian is immune from the detrimental affects of NZT Come to think of it, I think the show is already changing the rules around a bit. In ep 2, the enzyme shot only made NZT non-lethal: it didn't slowly kill the user, but the user still had a crash and a sort of hangover. In this ep, no mention of even the smaller negative effects when the pill wears off. 2 Link to comment
MissLucas October 7, 2015 Share October 7, 2015 Ah damn - this show gives me emotional whiplash. I laughed out loud at the shout-outs to Sabotage and Miami Vice and the hare-snake line was genius. The whole relationship stuff was handled so great, loved Rebecca telling Brian that there's only one of him. And then evil Walter shows up and ruins everything and we get teary Brian and I'm getting the sniffles too. They really know how to handle drama and comedy. Also great: Mike and Ike becoming real characters (well at least one of them). Brian's fantastic model of the shooting created with Post-It-Notes. I love that they have him create models instead of just using computer simulations. The FBI still being competent even without Brian - both Rebecca and Boyle provided good intel on the case on their own. The show's definitely my favorite newcomer this season. 2 Link to comment
Rambler October 7, 2015 Share October 7, 2015 Not sure it's a great idea for Sands to threaten a guy who's on NZT. The whole point of Limitless the movie was how Eddie Morra got out of situations by out-thinking everyone else. Now, granted, Brian now has to out-think Morra, but still. Well nothing is saying Mr. Sands couldn't be on NZT himself and that's why he does Morra's bidding. Maybe the nurse is too. heh 1 Link to comment
arc October 7, 2015 Share October 7, 2015 Well nothing is saying Mr. Sands couldn't be on NZT himself and that's why he does Morra's bidding. Maybe the nurse is too. heh Oh definitely, but by the same token, being on NZT almost by definition would also give them the power to escape his control. Tell you what, if I were the evil genius Morra is, I would engineer something in the enzyme shot to be a fallback tool of compulsion. "Do what I say or I'll turn on a magic radioactive beam that incapacitates or kills you, and also it's hooked up to a deadman switch on me so you can't kill me either." Even so, these are still the kinds of things De Niro's character pulled on Morra in the movie and Morra therefore quite logically used his drug-enhanced genius to think his way free from the threats. (Or, if I were the evil genius, I would work on persuading the nurse, Sands, and Finch in less threatening ways so they would willingly work with me and not have a really compelling reason to turn on me.) Link to comment
iMonrey October 7, 2015 Share October 7, 2015 Forgot to mention, I thought it was hilarious the company they were investigating was called "IDK Technologies." 9 Link to comment
twoods October 7, 2015 Share October 7, 2015 (edited) Love this show. The lead is likable, interesting plots, and now evil Walter is going to have Brian do side jobs. I'm glad I can watch him on this show than be underused on Arrow. I really like Rebecca, and finally a show that doesn't depict the FBI as incompetent (I'm looking at you Quantico). Edited October 7, 2015 by twoods Link to comment
Mecca October 8, 2015 Share October 8, 2015 It annoys me when someone on a TV Show sees a dead body and has little to no reaction to it. I'm not looking for Psych levels of high-pitched squealing over the dead, but Brians "meh" attitude about it isn't very realistic. Link to comment
Big Mother October 8, 2015 Share October 8, 2015 There's a very easy way for brian to get out of the blackmail morra is laying on him: Rat him out to the FBI, and dont let that nurse into the apartment. There are plenty of other nurses in New York. The only problem is, that his NZT era will come to an end, since he can't take any more of it without the shot. So he's totally between a rock and a hard place. He can't tell Rebecca anything, he can't tell anyone anything. Seriouysly, I would probably kill msyelf if I had to keep such a huge secret and also protect my loved ones. It's almost worth it for him to just wean himself off the NZT instead of living with this pressure and being a counterspy. As for lying to Shauna, he couldve easily told her he was taking Adderall for ADHD.... I'm on Adderall and believe me I'm a different person the first 5 hours. It's like I had 20 cups of coffee; the world is my oyster. I can only imagine what NZT is like :D. Last but not least, I love those plot developments at the end of every episode, they have me on edge. I watch the show almost more for that part of the plotline, the details of the stand-alone procedural don't interest me that much. One more thing: How much can I bet that Rebecca and Brian will hook up in the season finale? How many seasons can a show like this be sustained? 1 Link to comment
Free October 8, 2015 Share October 8, 2015 How many seasons can a show like this be sustained? It's a procedural, so the long haul if it makes it that far. 1 Link to comment
Kromm October 8, 2015 Share October 8, 2015 (edited) Okay, Episode 3 of this got unexpectedly goofy, and great. The show tried for humor in the previous episodes but it only half worked. In this one, where we really start to see his (wacked out) inner monologue and fantasies, it worked totally. This is clearly at it's greatest when Brian is a deliberately untrustworthy narrator. Edited October 8, 2015 by Kromm 1 Link to comment
shapeshifter October 8, 2015 Share October 8, 2015 Analeigh Tipton was on ANTM the same cycle as my daughter's high school friend--who wound up winning, so I watched it until the end. Even though Analeigh looked so old in this episode, I checked, and she is the same age as my daughter: 26. I'm guessing bad make up? But on an ANTM runner up??? Maybe they thought she was too pretty to be Brian's ex? You ran like a rabbit. Now you're gonna die like a snake. ha!That and the Miami Vice line made it worth watching, even though (or maybe in spite of) cutting off it's head being the best snake killing method that I know of--which made his daydream even more ludicrous--in a good way. Link to comment
Kromm October 8, 2015 Share October 8, 2015 Since the movie happens in continuity in the past of this, can I ask if anyone who's seen it can confirm that Morra is the kind of absolute bastard in it he seems to be here? (this of course assumes this new guy really works for him and isn't lying--although really Morra himself made threats almost as bad and this guy being his proxy seems like it's just a way to let Bradley Cooper get out of having to be in every episode and go about his normal movie career instead) 1 Link to comment
Netfoot October 8, 2015 Share October 8, 2015 I would have described movie-Morra as selfish and self-involved, but not evil. But perhaps I mis-remember. 1 Link to comment
arc October 8, 2015 Share October 8, 2015 I would have described movie-Morra as selfish and self-involved, but not evil. That's about how I remember it too, but esp since he was beset by more obviously evil forces, he was the less evil side by default. 2 Link to comment
ae2 October 8, 2015 Share October 8, 2015 I love that the show took Morra straight from the movie and turned him into a manipulative, possibly evil force driving the entire premise of the show, while giving us a hero who is the polar opposite of him. Link to comment
editorgrrl October 8, 2015 Share October 8, 2015 This new guy being his proxy seems like it's just a way to let Bradley Cooper get out of having to be in every episode and go about his normal movie career instead. They'd previously established that Brian would need a shot "every so often," which made me think that's when we'd see Sen. Eddie Mora. But now it's to be administered monthly by the nurse. Then they brought in a middleman—but it's Colin Salmon, so all is forgiven, show! I was intrigued by the suggestion upthread that one or both might be on NZT. It never occurred to me. 1 Link to comment
Kromm October 8, 2015 Share October 8, 2015 So maybe prolonger NZT use makes you evil? (or at least totally amoral) It could happen. I mean sociopathy could come from brain chemistry, right? Link to comment
MrWhyt October 8, 2015 Share October 8, 2015 So maybe prolonger NZT use makes you evil? (or at least totally amoral) It could happen. I mean sociopathy could come from brain chemistry, right? Evil is in the eye of the beholder. The senator has been on NZT for 4 years now, he must have plans within plans within plans within a nice flakey pastry shell. Anything he asks Brian to do that looks bad to us could be some small step towards a greater good. 1 Link to comment
Kromm October 8, 2015 Share October 8, 2015 Evil is in the eye of the beholder. The senator has been on NZT for 4 years now, he must have plans within plans within plans within a nice flakey pastry shell. Anything he asks Brian to do that looks bad to us could be some small step towards a greater good. Even the Nazis used the excuse that they were working towards the greater good. A moral question the show may explore is if the ends really justify the means. And while we've yet to see direct evidence of Morra and his crew crossing a line (the threats are only implied so far), and in fact don't yet have proof this new guy even definitely works for Morra (although it would strain credibility a bit if he didn't and was from some other side), I do think it's still a valid question what NZT does to someone over a long period psychologically. Even if you are protected from physical changes, there's no shot in the arm that could protect you from the psychological ones. You might start to feel like a god, and believe you have every right to treat everyone else like pawns, for example. 1 Link to comment
Netfoot October 8, 2015 Share October 8, 2015 I mean sociopathy could come from brain chemistry, right? And if in fact, you actually are superior, then why spend any time on the rest, right? ;-) Link to comment
sjohnson October 9, 2015 Share October 9, 2015 Most people feel superior to dogs and cats, yet most don't enjoy abusing them. Link to comment
BooBear October 10, 2015 Share October 10, 2015 (edited) They'd previously established that Brian would need a shot "every so often," which made me think that's when we'd see Sen. Eddie Mora. But now it's to be administered monthly by the nurse. Then they brought in a middleman—but it's Colin Salmon, so all is forgiven, show! I have heard Bradley Cooper will be back. He is producing the show. But personally this is the only place that I think really slows the show for me. Brian is such a happy go lucky guy I enjoy seeing him and I don't enjoy seeing him so upset. Sen Moura kind of comes off like a bad guy. I would hope that somehow Rebecca becomes aware of things. I am still ejoying the show a lot. I liked the way that Brian made up the legend of the drug guy. Edited October 10, 2015 by BooBear Link to comment
Free October 11, 2015 Share October 11, 2015 I have heard Bradley Cooper will be back. He was in a sneak peek of a future episode. He can appear sporadically. Link to comment
fakeempress October 12, 2015 Share October 12, 2015 (edited) Three episodes in, and I like it. Came to it as a fan of Jake McDorman from Greek. Didn't see him in anything else since, except an episode of the show he was on with the Shauna actress but Limitless fits him better. He has a bit of an edge to him and in that he resembles Bradley Cooper, but while Bradley's acting can come across detached, Jake's has more natural warmth to him. This actually comes in handy for the Morra-Brian relationship. The show itself is shaping up as I hoped in my comment on the pilot -- getting some serialized element with Morra (and now his stand-in Mr Sands)/Brian/FBI, instead of being pure procedural. The dynamics between Brian and Rebecca /FBI guys is also a plus. I liked the tone of the pilot more because of the movie, but I don't mind the shift to more light / goofy tone, as long as they keep this sort of balance. I prefer the edge and menace to be felt in the background, and come up every now and then, and the Mr. Sands actor whose name escapes me atm is perfect, I remember first seeing him in Prime Suspect with Helen Mirren. Edited October 12, 2015 by fakeempress Link to comment
sjohnson October 12, 2015 Share October 12, 2015 Colin Salmon, last seen by me as Mr. Moira Queen on Arrow. 3 Link to comment
fakeempress October 12, 2015 Share October 12, 2015 (edited) Thank you, that's the guy. He's been in more shows I can recall off the top of my head, like Spooks (I don't watch Arrow). Hope he gets a decent size of the action here. Edited October 12, 2015 by fakeempress 1 Link to comment
Ottis October 26, 2015 Share October 26, 2015 CBS being mostly complacent with illegal drug use. Let's face it : the main character is a drug addict. I think the father stands in for the anti-drug perspective. At first he didn't seem to care how his son helped him live, but as he learned more, he did and clearly thinks his son is lying and something is wrong. Link to comment
methodwriter85 February 15, 2016 Share February 15, 2016 (edited) 2) The main character's hair. It should have it's own thread -- because it seems to have a life of its own. It's not just tousled, but meticulously tousled in each appearance. It's distracting for me ... I begin to ponder how much time the hair people spent deciding which cowlick should go where and what variation will appear next. It's an odd contrast to the FBI woman's straight, pulled-back style. Jake McDorman's attractiveness really does depend on his hair. When it's not right, he just doesn't look that good. (Although I'm going off of his Greek look- there were periods where he was a bit chubbier than his obviously sculpted look right now.) I really wish Analeigh Tipton had gone back to the dark hair. The blonde just isn't good. (I do, however, like the pixie cut on her- long faces with big eyes like hers totally work with short hair, but I think the blonde hair just ages her.) Am I the only one who thinks that they're not actually setting up something with Jennifer Carpenter and Brian? I honestly feel like she's seeing him like a surrogate brother. Edited to add: I'm only on episode 4 right now. Edited February 15, 2016 by methodwriter85 Link to comment
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