It seems that networks no longer have the gumption to stick
with a series that they choose to air. If you look back at history you can see
their mistakes. STAR TREK was canceled after 3 seasons and yet here we are with
not only a number of feature films but several series that stemmed from that
original series. CHEERS was a show that was almost canceled after the first
season and yet for once they decided to give it one more shot which led to a
hit show. But many shows find themselves shuffled around the schedule so that
fans aren’t sure what night they’re on or placed against hit shows they have no
hope of competing against. Such was the case with SCORPION.
If you never watched the show here is a breakdown. It revolved around a cast of misfits, genius
level IQ individuals who banded together to form a team that solved world
ending catastrophes on a weekly basis. They were led by Walter O’Brien (Elyes
Gable) with a genius IQ level of 197 and zero interpersonal skills. Tobias
"Toby" Meriweather Curtis, M.D. (Eddie Kaye Thomas) was the
psychiatrist of the group who was in love with (and married in season 3) Happy
Quinn (Jadyn Wong) an engineering expert who usually has no reason to like most
people. Sylvester Dodd (Ari Stidham) is a gifted mathematician and statistician
who in season 3 found himself attracted to the team’s new neighbor chemist
Florence "Flo" Tipton (Tina Majorino). Paige Dineen (Katherine
McPhee) is the waitress turned office manager and social skills guide for
Walter who in season 3 finally became his love interest as well. Ralph Dineen
(Riley B. Smith) is Paige’s son whose genius level nears that of Walter. And
rounding out the team is Agent Cabe Gallo (Robert Patrick) the Homeland
Security agent who works with the team.
Each week this
team was placed in danger trying to solve some problem brought to them by
either private companies or by Homeland Security. And each week they nearly
lost someone by somehow persevered and came out successful. It was like
watching a spy movie where instead of the use of karate and gunplay they used
their brains to find a solution. This was something new and different to see on
TV. Perhaps the closest I can think of to this sort of show was MACGYVER.
But more than the
genius methods used by the team there was subtext to the show as well. There
was the fact that each of these characters had traits that left them unable to
deal with other people in the real world. Toby was coming off an addiction to
gambling. Happy always presented a surly attitude towards everyone but
eventually showed that she did indeed have emotions. Sylvester was a big man
but with the heart of a child who was still able to find love. Even Gabe, the
battle weary agent, showed a soft side when it came to this group and his
feelings for all of them. And then there was Walter, totally clueless but
learning, being taught how to experience emotions for the first time through
the guidance and affections of both Paige and her son Ralph. This heart is what
made the show successful. Without it the show was just another hero placed in
danger series.
The show ended
without fanfare, without letting the fans know it was coming. Suddenly it was
just gone. For myself I was unaware it was canceled until the third season was
released as “The Final Season”. Thankfully the series is available on disc
though, to be enjoyed over and over again. The single seasons were out there
but CBS has also made the right decision to offer it as a complete box set as
well. They’ve done the series right too offering over 5 hours of bonus material
that fans can enjoy.
So if you find
yourself looking for a group of heroes that use their brains instead of their
brawn then look no further than team Scorpion. Enjoy their exploits once again.
Enjoy the affection these misfits show towards one another. And discover the
fun that can be had simply watching SCORPION all over again.
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