If you saw the 2011 Bradley Cooper movie of the same name, then you’ll want to know that this isn’t a series based on that movie. It’s a sequel to it. In fact, Cooper has a recurring role in the series (which everyone involved wants you to know, for obvious reasons) and he is an executive producer.
In the series, the focus shifts to Brian Finch (Jake McDorman), a man whose life isn’t turning out the way he had hoped it would, but who is able to realize his limitless potential as a human being, as long as he can keep getting NZT, the drug supplied to him by Cooper’s film character, Eddie Morra. It doesn’t give him super strength or supernatural powers, but it allows him to realize his fullest potential, and how to use his abilities to the maximum.
This puts him in the sights of the FBI, and they decide to use him to help them solve their toughest cases. Suddenly, this action-packed premise turns into another CBS procedural. Or does it?
Well, yes, it does, but just because there are a lot of those out there, that doesn’t mean this one should be dismissed. Limitless is exciting and has many potential twists and turns. Brian doesn’t know who he can trust, who wants to help him or who wants him dead. This could become just another procedural, but it could also be something more. I was interested enough in the pilot that I’d like to see more. Sure, it could follow the predictable, inevitable path or a typical CBS procedural, but it won’t last long if it does that. It also could turn the genre on its ear and become something better than all that.
I hope it tries to be more, but there’s one indication in the pilot that it could miss the mark (and it’s the last line in trailer accompanying this review), when Cooper’s character says, “It’s about time you and me talked.” Call me a stickler, but if these guys are supposed to be unlocking the mind’s full potential, surely he’d know the line should be “It’s about time you and I talked”.
So, I’m on the fence about this show. It’s got potential, but the people bringing it to us need to invest energy and commitment into transcending Limitless from being just another one of those shows that we’ve seen before. I travel hopefully, as always.
TV Gord’s verdict: There’s a promising future for this show.
