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| FLASHFORWARD - SEASON ONE PART ONE |
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| Actors: Joseph Fiennes, John Cho, Jack Davenport, Zachary Knighton, Dominic Monaghan |
| Creators: Brannon Braga, David S. Goyer |
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Studio: ABC Studios |
| DVD release: 23 February 2010 |
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Runtime: 430 minutes
(2 discs) |
| Format: AC-3, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen |
| Features: Aspect ratio 1.78:1, Audio tracks (English - Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround), Subtitles (English SDH, French, Spanish), Creating Catastrophe: The Effects of Global Blackout, FlashForward: A Look Ahead, Could |
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 The collected first ten episodes of the new ABC television series FlashForward showcase a story-driven concept that begins with a world-changing event. It's an interesting concept that falls short when it comes to characters.
At eleven in the morning on a random autumn day, people around the world black out at the exact same time. Each of these people has a vision, a "flash forward" of what their lives will be like six months from that day. For some, this vision is hopeful. For others, it is terrifying. And, for a select few, there is black nothingness. In nearly all of these cases, it spurs people into action. The main characters of FlashForward are a small team of FBI agents who have taken it upon themselves to investigate the blackout phenomenon.
While it is likely that a strong ensemble series could take the place of epics like The Pretender , 24 or even Lost , FlashForward isn't likely to be that show. Joseph Fiennes heads up the cast, leading them in mediocrity. Dominic Monaghan, Gabrielle Union, Peyton List and Courtney B. Vance are some of the more well-knowns, and they perform their roles just fine. However, it would help if any of them stood out as being particularly likable, or even relatable. There is so little real character development that it is difficult to care if they survive or perish before the predestined date of the mass visions.
FlashForward does have a strong and very interesting storyline, but interest in even the strongest story begins to lag about halfway through the initial ten shows offered to help catch us up for part two of season one. The best story ever written simply won't last if the characters can't bring it to life.
The extras include a 'making of' mini-documentary about the incredible mass destruction in L.A. at the moment of the blackout - car crashes, truck explosions, a helicopter crashing into a skyscraper. This little segment is interesting, and the behind-the-scenes people are passionate in a way that the characters peopling the show itself are not. There are also a couple of brief previews of part two, which begins in March 2010.
It is possible that part two will offer the much-needed character growth to make FlashForward a hit. With such a winding, thought-provoking storyline, we can only hope it is rounded out. It would be fantastically addictive then. In the meantime, there are still better shows out there.
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