I’ve been a fan of this series since it began. I find it
hard to believe we’re starting a fourth season already. And yet here is the
third arriving on disc.
If you’re not familiar with the series, a group of geniuses
but social outcasts have united to form a business that finds solutions to
difficult problems. They are led by all round genius Walter O’Brien (Elyes
Gabel) who may be the most brilliant man alive but has no social skills
whatsoever. Also in the group are Toby Curtis (Eddie Kaye Thomas) a Harvard
trained psychologist and behaviorist, Happy Quinn (Jadyn Wong) a brilliant
mechanical engineer, Sylvester Dodd (Ari Stidham) an amazing mathematician and statistician,
Agent Gabe Callo (Robert Patrick) their liaison with the government who the
team usually works with and Paige Dineen (Katherine McPhee) the teams office
manager and the most normal member of the group. Paige was brought in on the
first episode, a waitress whose son is as gifted as the rest of the team who
Walter saw as himself years ago. Ralph (Riley B. Smith) is Paige’s son and
Walter’s protégé.
Got it? Good.
Each week from the first season the team is placed in a
situation where their unique talents are called on to find a solution. Sort of
a brainier MacGyver sort of story (no offense to MacGyver fans) with input from
all members instead of just one person. If there is one fault with the show it
is that each situation seems to call for a life or death threat to both the
team and the world. Some smaller items might be welcomed.
Another item that began with the first season and has
carried on throughout has been the attraction to Paige felt by Walter. With
zero social skills to work with he’s had a difficult time showing how he
relates to her, how he feels. The rest can see it, including her son Ralph, but
it seems as if both Paige and Walter are somewhat blinded to it. SPOILER ALERT!
That all begins to change at the end of this season as the two finally
recognize what everyone else knew all along.
Love was in the air for several members this season. Toby
who has pursued Happy for some time now finally proposed and she accepted. A
number of stories this season revolved around their upcoming nuptials. Then
there is the ongoing story of Sylvester who last season married Walter’s
sister, a woman he dearly loved but who died of a disease none of the group
could find a cure for. Walter still faults himself for this as this season
opens. Last but not least Gabe also finds a romantic interest but one that will
have issues as well. Allie Jones (Reiko Aylesworth) was a campaign consultant
for Sylvester’s competition when he ran for office. How that affects her
relationship with Gabe is told this season.
The third season ended with the cliffhanger to end all
cliffhangers as the team found themselves stranded on a desert island with no
chance of survival if they stay there. Not only do they have to find a way to
survive they must do so while not compromising their interests in one another
and their sanity. The result isn’t revealed until the last minutes of the final
show of the season and has repercussions going into season 4.
I have found little to complain about with this series. The
characters are ones that most everyone can sympathize with and root for. The
chemistry between both characters and actors portraying them is evident on
screen. And the actors are not afraid to show vulnerable sides of themselves as
these characters. Making someone as stereotypically backwards as this while at
the same time making you care for them is not an easy task. The comradery and
loyalty among them also makes for a great story. And as I’ve noted with a
number of series now showing on CBS, they all seem to be about family. Not
always direct blood relatives, but in people finding a group of others to
associate with that they then form into their own familial group. It works and
hopefully it will continue to do so. This is one series, and season, worth
watching.
Click here to order.
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