ALARIS' REVIEWS

29th April 2009
Eleventh Hour: Episode 2 (2008)

Don't ask me why the network decided to skip the pilot and air Episode 2 first. If they felt the second episode was a stronger introduction than the pilot, I can only be thankful I missed it.

Eleventh Hour is allegedly a semi-science fiction television series, which promises us cutting edge science in a future only seconds ahead of today. The series follows eccentric scientist Dr Jacob Hood (Rufus Sewell), and his minder Rachel Young (Marley Shelton), as the FBI send them around the countryside investigating seemingly inexplicable events. Unfortunately, the most inexplicable thing about Eleventh Hour is how it got into production, especially since whoever wrote this episode probably thinks that penicillin is some newfangled experimental therapy.

From its lacklustre opening to its inexcusably amateur ending, this episode never achieves more than a bland, plodding transition from uninteresting scene to even less interesting scene.

As far as eccentric geniuses go, Hood lacks the wit, warmth, or sheer entertainment value of contemporaries like Dr Gregory House (House M.D.), Jonathan Creek (Jonathan Creek), Doctor Who (Doctor Who), or even Dr Walter Bishop from the eminently mediocre Fringe (2008). Rufus Sewell seems almost as bored as I was, and while Marley Shelton does an acceptable job, there was virtually nothing for her to work with.

The complete absence of meaningful characterisation could be forgiven were Eleventh Hour a compelling procedural drama. However, this episode fails to develop tension, lay a trail of intriguing clues, or demonstrate pacing and progression. The ending lacks any kind of payoff, and left me wondering why any of the preceding scenes had been necessary.

Countless shows have delivered this concept better, including the cult classic The X-Files. If this episode is representative of the series, Eleventh Hour is one of the least entertaining shows I've seen in a very long time.

Verdict: A below average procedural drama that fails to deliver interest on any front.

If you like Rufus Sewell, you might like this.

Note: Shortly after writing this review, I discovered that not only is Eleventh Hour a U.S. remake of a British series, which is automatically a crime in itself, but the original version starred genre legend Patrick Stewart (Captain Picard from Star Trek: The Next Generation) as Dr. Hood, and the very likeable Ashley Jensen (Christina McKinney from Ugly Betty) as his minder. Stay tuned for an even more furious update to this review after I *watch* the original.