Two Guys, a Girl and a Blog

Each week we’ll watch one show and offer up three opinions. As always sometimes we’ll agree and sometimes we’ll violently disagree enough to put out a mob hit on each other. Fortunately we’ll come to our senses and cancel the hit. You won’t get to see any of that Sopranos action but whats left is One Show, Three Opinions. This week is the new show Eli Stone.

Bunnyfear [ 9.5/10 ]

I’m a fan of anything that’s a little different. I’ve always sought out the television that was as far from reality as there possible. Throw in an odd element not quite kosher with tv standards and I’m going to tune in. Disbelieve me? I watched the entire run of Baby Bob just because it was a little different. So after watching the trailer for Eli Stone I was sure that I’d be viewing the first few episodes hoping for a success. I feel I got that.

The ABC tv show, Eli Stone follows the life an attorney who begins having visions which he learns are caused by a brain tumor. This changes his life forever. Although he is seeking medical assistance from his brother, It doesn’t seem to be with the aim to stop his visions that lead him to the next case he’s lead to take. Eli quickly realized that living with these visions are changing his life for the better. They have helped him to forgive his father and to put peace to their strained relationship. His father had the same tumor though no one knew until now. They’ve helped him to change his career that would not be fulfilling in the long run and the visions have also brought him and his fiance closer together.

Now here’s the thing. Is it a musical? Is it too Viva Laughlin and Cop Rock for its own good? I don’t think so. Yes seeing a variety of people burst into a nice George Michael ditty might’ve made you think otherwise but each moment was smileworthy. I think what I like so much about Eli Stone is that it very much reminds me of Six Feet Under just lighter. Though who didn’t love the incestuous Brenda/Billy relationship and kinda hope they’d get together? I mean obviously not me as that’s just sick but for those sick folks please consider watching Eli Stone. It has many similar elements to Six Feet Under including the general basis– A man on the cusp of life being thrown for a loop when an other worldly element works to constantly change and redefine his ideals of life. Throw in visions each episode and you’ve got quite an interesting show worth watching. My only qualm would be the fact that I hate the sassy black assistant. Her character defines everything thats wrong with television. I only hope she won’t encourage him to go to church in order to cure himself then he’ll hallucinate an amazing black choir that she is the lead singer of. I have to , of course, comment on the fact that George Michael’s songs are the names of each of Eli Stone’s episodes and that this is a wonderful touch. It’s perfect timing for now older George Michael fans who loved his tunes while younger who can appreciate a character looking at his life feeling it deserves a bit of change. Thanks be to Greg Berlanti for turning his own fanship into a characterteristic that truly colors the entire show in a musically nostalgic and creatively inspiring light.

I don’t know why this show was relegated to being just a mid-season replacement because it deserves the span of a full season. I can see how people might wonder if his visions might get old but I think this character was built on the idea of evolution. The ending is already written for this show. It simply can not end with Eli Stone surviving his tumor. It will be a bitter sweet end but it will be devastatingly beautiful. I won’t miss an episode of this show because I already have faith that Eli Stone is going to be amazing.

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Nicholas [ 7.5 out of 10 ]

Hack the planet!!! Hack the planet!!! You know, from Hackers…anyway, Zero Cool…I mean, Crash Override…I mean, Johnny Lee Miller plays a lawyer who receives visions accompanied by the music of George Michael. How great is that? Maybe not so great if you’re not a GM fan, but I remember being glued to the screen watching George Michael’s Faith video as a young teenager. Now that I think about it, wasn’t that an entire video of him shaking his a$$? Eh well, it’s a good song.

This episode of Eli Stone featured a boys choir from Northern California singing Freedom (by George Michael). What a treat! So Eli takes another unwinnable charity case for the good of man, asks advice from his surfer dude acupuncturist and has a really cool vision of a war in his living room while he makes sweet love to his (not so) sweet girlfiend. I wonder if this show is a novelty that will wear off someday? I’d like to think there are lots of secrets they will slowly reveal like Lost’s trail of bread crumbs (but hopefully faster than Lost). That would definitely keep me interested. Until then, Stone’s blatant use of George Michael, musical & dance numbers, & Loretta Devine (the secretary) have won me over. I hope it never gets old.

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Matthew [9/10]

Just when I thought I’d never see Jonny Lee Miller again, BAM!, comes “Eli Stone”. I gotta say I love this intriguing bit of supernatural twist on a straight forward law show. The fantasy musical numbers at the office, Dr. Chen’s fake accent, Loretta Divine too? Man, it couldn’t have come at a better time. If it weren’t for the dry spell we’ve been
having I have no idea if I’d let it pass me by on a different more fruitful year, but I’m anxious to see what happens next and how the nextGeorge Michael song will be creatively presented. My vote is for “Father Figure” but from the end of last week it doesn’t look like another hit is in our future this time.

This has turned into a general review for the series thus far but I feel the same for both episodes… Love it. I’m afraid though, if “Eli Stone” continues during more colorful end-of-writers strike days it may get a bit washed out. After all, when you’ve been stuck in a desert for days without water, even sandy oasis water looks and tastes like fresh bottled water. Ok well hell, you get my point. I give “Eli Stone” 9 bottles of water on the wall out of 10. 7.5 out of 10

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Eli Stone scores a visionquestastic 26/30. The best score a freshman drama can ever hope to earn. Tune in to Eli Stone Thursdays 10/9c on ABC. Check it out.