Advance Review of ‘The Event’

The Event is another new series making its debut this week on NBC. I had the opportunity to watch the screener and I have to say, this one intrigues me. Before I get into my thoughts on the show, here is the official synopsis.

What Is It?

The Event is an emotional, high-octane conspiracy thriller that follows Sean Walker (Jason Ritter, “The Class”), an everyman who investigates the mysterious disappearance of his would-be fiancée Leila (Sarah Roemer, “Disturbia”), and unwittingly begins to expose the biggest cover-up in U.S. history.

Sean’s quest will send ripples through the lives of an eclectic band of strangers, including newly elected U.S. President Elias Martinez (Golden Globe nominee Blair Underwood, “In Treatment”); Sophia Maguire (Emmy Award nominee Laura Innes, “ER”), who is the leader of a mysterious group of detainees; and Leila’s shadowy father (Scott Patterson, “Gilmore Girls”). Their futures are on a collision course in a global conspiracy that could ultimately change the fate of mankind.

Like/Dislikes

First my “Likes”. I love the cast they’ve assembled for this series. Laura Innes was so awesome on ER, playing the hard-core Dr. Kerry Weaver. You loved to hate her at times and I enjoy actors who can make me feel something about their characters. I feel she’s going to do that in this show as well.

Scott Patterson was my “Gilmore Girls” boyfriend back in the day. A many-layered actor who impresses in any project he is seen in.

Zeljko Ivanek has been showing almost every time I turn on my TV. Most recently, he was the sadistic Magister on HBO’s True Blood. He plays mean and nasty as though that was part of his personality.

The rest of the cast are amazing actors whom I will enjoy watching, and who will be part of the reason I’ll watch The Event.

The story, while looking familiar (“Lost” in “Heroes” format), still managed to catch my interest and sunk a hook in me that will bring me back. I want to know what happens! I want answers to all the questions and story lines they set up! What is “The Event”?

Dislikes: The show was constantly flipping back and forth between time periods. Not in order either. You went from present day to 18 minutes ago, to 7 months in the future, back to the present, then off to 2 months ago. It was frustrating, annoying and confusing, making it very difficult to follow the story. The first half hour was pretty irritating and I almost turned it off, but I was too curious. I wanted to see what this all meant. You find out that there was an “Event” in the first few minutes and I think that’s what made me hang on. By the end of the episode, all these loose storylines and times flips finally lead up to one catastrophe that occurs, but you are still left with many questions that the show, and I guess that was what this episode was sujpposed to do. I just hope that every episode is not done this way. It’s exhausting!

That’s the only thing I didn’t like about The Event. I truly hope it’s not a replacement for “Lost”. I want this show to do well. I give it a 4 1/2 out of 5 conspiracy theories.

Watch the premiere of “The Event” Monday, Sept. 20. at 9/8 central, on NBC.