After a moderately intriguing series premiere last week, NBC’s new sci-fi thriller drama, The Event, will begin answering questions about the mysteries of the show sooner rather than later. Show creator and co-executive producer, Nick Wauters (Eureka, The 4400) promised viewers that answers “will start coming soon,” saying:
“One of the goals we set for ourselves (is) whatever mysteries we set up, to try to solve them pretty quickly so that the audience can join the party any time.”
In fact, answers will begin to emerge in tonight’s episode where the mystery of who the ninety-seven detainees are and what their “purpose” is. Wauters stated that what “the Event” is will be revealed “early on in the life of the show”. If networks learned anything from last season’s canceled show, FlashForward, it’s that fans’ attention spans are not as sustainable as it used to be. Will viewers have the appetite for another mysterious show so soon after the conclusion of Lost?
What is also worrisome is that improper pacing may kill this show before it gets off the ground. The premiere episode hopped around backwards and forwards in time and from what Wauters has said, this pattern will continue:
“You’re going to get a little bit frustrated, that’s part of the fun. You’re going to follow our characters before the event, during the event and after the event. I’m hoping the sub-mysteries that we set up along the way will capture the attention of the audience.”
Wauters assured viewers that he will try to make future episodes “as easy to follow as possible” and described flashbacks as used for character development instead of forwarding the plot.
Actor Scott Patterson (The Frankenstein Brothers, Gilmore Girls), who plays Michael Buchanan, the father of the kidnapped girl and the pilot who hijacked the plane in the premiere, thinks that viewers will gravitate towards how “incredibly relatable and human the characters are:”
“The real power, to me, is the interrelatedness and interconnectedness of these characters and how these mini-events that keep happening through the series are going to affect these people and their relationships going forward … that’s the glue that holds it together.”
It is interesting to note that NBC actually requested a sci-fi element for this show. Could that mean that the network is actively going after Lost fans and to recapture its Heroes audience?
The Event’s series premiere scored a moderate rating with 11.19 million total viewers and a 3.7/9 in adults 18-49.
Check out tonight’s episode synopsis, featurette, clip, and promo below:
“To Keep Us Safe” Synopsis:
As the shockwave of the plane dissipates, President Martinez’s (Blair Underwood) staff must work quickly to assess what happened and how to respond. Director of National Intelligence, Blake Sterling, locks down Sophia for interrogation. The conspiracy widens, engulfing FBI Agent Collier (guest star Heather McComb) and Carter (guest star D. B. Sweeney), a mercenary with questionable ties. Meanwhile, a shadowy figure, Thomas, emerges with knowledge of the detainees and their plan.
Series Summary:
Sean Walker (Jason Ritter), stumbles into a national conspiracy after his girlfriend Leila (Sarah Roemer) mysteriously disappears from a Caribbean cruise. Elsewhere, President Elias Martinez (Blair Underwood) is scheduled to announce the release of a group of detainees led by Sophia Maguire (Laura Innes) — despite the disapproval of his Director of National Intelligence, Blake Sterling (Željko Ivanek). Their futures are on a collision course in a global conspiracy that could ultimately change the fate of mankind. Scott Patterson, Ian Anthony Dale, Clifton Collins, Jr., Taylor Cole, Lisa Vidal and Bill Smitrovich also star in the ensemble drama.
The Event: Deconstructing Episode One
The Event: “Stop Wasting Time” Clip featuring Scott Patterson’s character
The Event: Promo for “To Keep Us Safe”
Watch The Event on NBC after Chuck, Mondays 10/9C.
