Thanksgiving 2009 comes and goes as does a week devoid of FlashForward. 7 more days pass and a Thursday evening arrives and the 10th episode of FlashForward appears as the 7pm chime arrives. What will this week of FlashForward hold for us? Is the action cocked, locked and ready to rock it’s way into the Xmas season? We’ll find out as we initiate this week’s 2GuysTalking FlashForward Podcast for episode 1 - A561984 - here on The 2GuysTalking Podcast Network.

Listen to it now in Podcast Form now!

– The bell tolling on a different wall: As this week’s episode begins, a clock tower chimes as we pan past a very familiar but different wall inside of our Iranian Mystery Woman’s office. On it are a number of familiar clues and many new ones that we’ve not yet had the chance to review. I’m curious: Those of you that do the whole “freeze frame and put the pics on your Facebook galleries - what do YOU see that’s different? Are they things that are completely unrelated or are they items that we might be familiar with? Her being a world away literally probably means that all of the things that we see that aren’t Agent Noh-based are more than likely different, but what might we expect in the coming weeks? In the new “season?” Let us know by accessing our website at FlashForwardPodcast.Com and tell us the differences, now!

– Being one of the potentially murdered: Wow: Great television shows have a definitive habit of making “groups” of people and this one is another that I think could make for an entire offshoot  for a television series that would ROCK. Those that haven’t had FlashForwards (for all intents and purposes) are dead at the time of the FlashForward. but why? Was it chance that took their lives? Were they, like Agent Noh, murdered? Seeing as that they’ve already developed the special group via the FBI for investigations, wouldn’t it follow that they could also do something in the way of an X-Files-based group that did nothing but hunt and investigate the “potential murders” of those that either come to them for help, contact them via the Internet/MOSAIC program or are brought to them by a head agency that sees the people brought to light as people that are “key players?” Doesn’t that sound interesting? Let us know what YOU think of that idea. We know that television is aching for new, innovative storytelling and this idea sounds pretty cool to us!

– New FBI agent is from Miniseries about Terrorists called “SLEEPER CELL”: When Benford and Noh arrive in Hong Kong, there is an agent that meets them - apparently from another branch of the FBI there in Hong Kong. That actor is Michael Ealy  from the mini series Sleeper Cell on HBO, who was an outstanding actor in a great series that had two parts several years ago. I hope that they decide to keep him in the mix and offer us some great bits of banter, intrigue and ACTION as the series goes along. I really am very happy with the casting that’s showcased here for FlashForward. The most important part of keeping a show like this refreshing, is that the people that are provided as puzzle pieces be convincing. I’m glad to see that the bar for casting continues here in ABC’s FlashForward.

– Plasma Wakefield Acceleration: At LAST! A reason (albeit strange and science-based) for the Blackout and apparent FlashForwards. What’s strange though is that while you can say “ok, these men did __________,” where on Earth is the scientific tie to causing mass blackouts of people on the planet AND that they’d all see their lives 6 months ahead of time? Ha! I’m eager to see what else they end up offering in the way of “reasons” for the program but that’s a strange road so far as to “why” all of this is happening. Surely, were my regular co-host Tony Lovasco from the 24 Podcast and our feature film podcasts here, he’d be nitpicking just about everything you see here.

– Another Palm Pre Sighting: Looks to me like some serious product placement rights have been secured by Sprint here in FlashForward. Just about every person we see on a telephone over the last series of episodes, has been using a Palm Pre in one capacity or another. I’m curious to see if we’ll see other phones featured here. Also note: None of the phones that are showcased have any wear marks at all. Ha! The silver “mirror” on the back of the phone that could be used to signal planes from a deserted island is pristine for all of the phones showcased here, where those of us that use them know that they get scratched pretty quick. Are there other programs that you see used on other shows or here inside of FlashForward that you recognize? Let us know what YOU see!

– Turning himself in or looking for protection? Simon shows up, ready to turn himself in during this episode but - you’ve got to be kidding me. Is he there to “turn himself in” or is he there for PROTECTION? When you and your cohort have just announced that you’re the ones responsible for killing 20 million people, finding the best and currently available protection would make a lot of sense wouldn’t it?

– Speaking of visiting, at night, unescorted, dark rooms, no lights? When we see Simon visit FBI/MOSAIC Central - IT’S PITCH BLACK. There are no lights anywhere and he just saunters into the room with no escort of any kind. Are the FBI trying to save money and be more green by not having lights to illuminate their workplace in the evening? Why would they leave the lights off, and then let anyone, in particular someone that just admitted to murdering 20 million via some illegal experiment, walk around their facility without an escort? I know that the show is preying on a ton of “the audience will accept” inserts, but wow - there’s a limit to everything and that one’s just been pinged.

– Playing the “YOU WILL BE MURDERED” clip for a stranger? Here we see the agents play the classified, want to make sure the wrong people don’t hear this recording - to a complete stranger. Huh? While I know that we’re lead to believe that this is supposed to be some kind of fact-finding, treasure hunt mission, I’m not sure how this works, do you?

– Perfect, calm coercion: I loved seeing this. In so many shows, we’re given screaming, torture-ridden scenes where someone is screaming at another character and eventually they give up the information or get dead. Here, we see something completely different. A plea for the information that ISN’T horribly violent, expletive-ridden drivel and guess what? It works flawlessly. Don’t you wish that more programs would take the chance of doing something like this? Imagine they doing this and even surprising the character in question that’s witholding information? I truly am ready for Hollywood and film creation teams to literally take the bull by the horns and do something new. Are YOU ready for that?

– 2002 vs 1991 Captioning: Inside of the closed captioning of tonite’s episode, Simon talks about an incident that “happened in 2002″ but the captioning for it is presented as 1991. Hmm, another script remnant that would have led to something completely different? Looking at Dominick Monohan’s character, I don’t know how old he’d have actually been in 1991! Ha!

– And so the “No Noh” FlashForward Revealed! I love it when a plan comes together! You’ll remembe when we first started seeing Agent Noh’s fiancee’s FlashForwards so many episodes, we called that we never actually saw Agent Noh! Well, finally the pieces of the puzzle come together for his fiancee’ in this episode and - YOU GUESSED IT! There IS no Agent Noh because (ding ding ding!) it’s not a wedding on a beach, it’s a memorial service and now Noh’s mother even confirms that she too saw glaringly BAD details in her FlashForward! Ha! It’s great to be right but even better that though we’re right, nothing gets RUINED! Another great reason to love this show and the way that the writer’s present material. Great work, FlashForward!

– Benford kills Noh with a Sig 226? This is an outstanding twist that we’ll get to learn more about next season for sure. That Benford (who will be an agent no longer at the end of this episode no less) ends up shooting and killing Noh (with his service weapon! Ha!) is a very interesting culmination of a series of events that will have to happen before next season arrives. Again, great wonderful twisty-turnies that keep the mind reeling on FlashForward.

– a561984: Kudos to the writing staff/creators for using - the serial number of a gun as the title of the episode. The creative bag gets opened on this show and the little shiny details like this really make me like and want to continue watching this program. Thanks, FlashForward writers!

– Benford takes a hostage??? Just when I was wrapping myself in the twisty-turny blanket of gorgeous storytelling, Benford - TAKES A HOSTAGE? Huh? I don’t understand the literal depth-charges like his in a program like FlashForward nor do I see the benefit here except perhaps to “get Agent Benford fired” which later happens in the program, but - what in the HELL is going on here? While I know temptations are high to find solutions and to force-fit puzzle pieces, how on Earth does taking the Iranian woman hostage (and briefly no less) help his effort/Noh’s cause/the television show progress? Things that have so strange a path in the overall story arc are really tough to digest like this. What are YOUR thoughts? Was this a realistic play for Agent Benford to use her as a human shield and try to play it off as a hostage scene? Let us know what YOu thought but accessing our website at FlashForwardPodcast.Com. Click on the contact button on the top right hand side of the page, fill out the quick webform and let us know what YOU think!

– The ties between Dr Benford and Simcoe begin to appear: While it’s reasonably clear this was going to need to happen, why is it we’re seeing it happen so close to when the two of them were generally pulled apart from each other? If anything, there’s more a chance that she’d harbor more dislike for him because of his recent admission and would be more likely able to stay away from him to avoid the future as depicted inside of her FlashForward. I am understandably curious as to how they’re going to fashion this little train of story, but I so don’t want it to become soap-operatic-flatulence. This program deserves MUCH more than that and I’m eager to see where they’ll take it into the next season/continuation of FlashForward.

– Changing the future - Mark gets fired by phone: Note to self: If you ever become an FBI Agent don’t get fired by phone. There’s an excellent article from one of my favorite writers, Eric Zorn, who wrote a great article on “being fired by phone” that I always try to share with people to get their take on. It’s stranger than you might imagine, actually. Check out his article and remember to share your thoughts over at our website, at FlashForwardPodcast.Com. No matter how Benford got fired, are we all in agreement that before the later days of April, we can be assured that Mark will be reintergrated into the hallowed FBI halls.

– And the whole penis thing - I don’t like them Vs. You’re Gay - Perspective: I’ve been trying to figure out why television programs handle showcasing those characters who are gay like this. In a scene here, we see lesbian FBI Agent Janis tell Bryce, via a reasonably playful an elaborate series of description details, that she’s gay. How about just a quick, “Thanks for your input before. I’m gay. Do you know of a sperm bank that you trust?” Done. No need for uncomfortable discussion, just a done and done moment and everyone moves on to the next storypoint which they do wonderfully here by the way. I wonder why we don’t get something way more straight-forward for things like this. Is it because it won’t then be “noticed?” Did this attractive female FBI agent saying that she “doesn’t like penis” really drive up the ratings for this episode?

– Departeth: After what 4 months in the same hospital room for apparently nothing, Young Simcoe Departs in the middle of the night? Let’s set the stage, shall we? After a global blackout causes 20 million to die, and the vast majority to be left with “visions of the last day of April in the coming year”, a young autistic boy is brought into a hospital room to be treated and observed. This was now 4 months ago. It’s now time to release the boy to his father and the two of them can go continue on with their mother/wifeless life, as the father outruns fate via any one of the now millions of people that hate and wish him dead. Ok, alright, a tall order, but many persevere and triumph over things like that everyday, I can see that.

This brings us to a scene that - well it makes me crazy. Regardless of network or subject matter, scenes like this one really grind me. Alright, after months of being in the same hospital room for - what seems very little reason no less, we’re finally transferring little lord Simcoe away from the hospital with:

1.) No police escort - his father has just publicly admitted that he and his company have murdered 20 million. Someone’s going to be looney over that and surely they’ll live in the city where our television show originates. How about A cop? Perhaps a black and white unit that can follow him? An unmarked car with a couple of guys and a gun? Private security via the hospital to help foster “the good of the patient?” Something. If I can come up with something workable, why can’t out writers here?

2.) They don’t do the final “discussion” inside the hospital, they do it outside. Can someone please share with us the final “checking out discussion” you do with your doctor that occured outside in a parking lot?

3.) They’re loading  the boy into - an ambulance? Is the father’s car not, LARGE enough to cary a small 11 year old boy? Are we just needing to exhaust taxpayer dollars in the eyes of a television audience? What’s wrong with him that he needs to be transported via ambulance?

4.) It’s DARK. While I know and have myself “been released from the hospital at night” doesn’t anyone else find this strange? If I didn’t know better, I’d think it was a…

5.) SETUP. It finally comes to fruition that it IS a setup, to nab Lord Simcoe and speed off into the dark night with him to points unknown. Huh? Why not wait until the two are home, they get the boy resting/sleeping/playing Nintendo/whatever and THEN go and nab the man? That would be infinitely more private, not cause a hullabaloo and not leave a wounded/dead security guard for a community/city to rally around when you talk about “making a difference in the disappearance of a fellow citizen?

We’re not talking about game-changing writing alteration here, we’re talking about a common-sensical line of progression that makes sense not only for the writers, not only for the already-provided story, but for the AUDIENCE. I am a reasonably intelligent man that would love for there to be way more common sensical actions from those who are “bad.” If you think you have them when things are over the top, imagine things when they’re just slighty different from everyday life that knock your ass for a loop. More people can relate and participate in that thinking that something like what we see towards the end of this episode, don’t you agree? We REALLY want to hear from you about your thougts on this point and look foward to your input from our website, at FlashForwardPodcast.Com.

– Being Gunshy: Television Investment Syndrome: I have been reviewing television, DVDs and feature films for years now and one of the biggest problems I see that occurs regularly in all of them is that I am TERRIBLY gunshy when it comes to new television programming. The reason? The Writer’s Strike of a couple of years ago. Along with derailing more than 10 different shows, all of which had a chance and decent core idea, that experience has made it very difficult for me to latch on to new television programs. The reason? They may go away tomorrow. While we’ve been told that this program, FlashForward, has been provided with new life in March of next year to “hit the mark” on the dates and FlashForward details we’ve been exposed to, there’s nothing that says this program will come to a conclusion, provide anything fulfilling or even FINISH. I think that’s unacceptable. If you’re going to cut the legs out from underneath a program like FlashForward, you also then amputate interest, zeal and literal investment that all of the fans have made to provide to that show. Many times their interest isn’t indicated in whatever Ouija board-based addition adventures happen and POOF! The program disappears and often doesn’t even have a DVD run that allows fans to have at least a last-gasp taste of their WAS-GOING-TO-BE-A-FAVORITE SHOW. Of the things I don’t like of being an entertainment critic, this is easily the most destructive element I deal with regularly. How do YOU address it? More importantly:

Are you ready to wait until MARCH, 2010, to see the next episode of FlashForward?

All in all, we liked this episode of FlashForward. The twisty-turnies are always a giant bonus and we like the groundwork that’s been laid for when the program comes back in March of next year. We give this episode a 7 of 10 score.

What did YOU think of this episode FlashForward? Are you eager to see it return for a satisfying run in the new year? Let us know what you think today about FlashForward! It’s going to be three long months without it, but we’re eager to hear what YOU think!

Don’t forget that The 2GuysTalking: 24 Podcast will be launching the second week of January, 2010, and we’ll be continuing our Feature Film and DVD reviews as the year winds up and 2010 begins! Check out all of it at our website, 2GuysTalking.Com and be sure to tell us what YOU think! After all, your feedback is what allowed us to start our network!