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A Review of FEARLESS From A Fan of the Books!!

Published at: Sep 07, 2003 9:56:12 PM CDT

SPOILER ALERT !!

I am – Hercules!!

The Bruckheimer-produced “Fearless” pilot, due to hit the WB at midseason, is cool, slick, well-acted, and reasobably watchable. If a bit more focus can be trained on characterization, we'll have a show with potential.

Here’s “Zathras,” a fan of the “Fearless” book series, with a take we’ve been hoarding for about six weeks:

Hey Herc,

Love whatcha doing,been a fan for quite sometime now and this would be my first ever review to you..over the past few weeks,I have heard nothing but negative reviews reguarding the now a mid season replacement show...the WB's "Fearless"....

I Just finished watching the pilot episode....And I will be honest, it is not the best show I have ever seen, but it is by far NOT the worst show I have seen...it does need its medication and fine tunes...after that Im sure "Fearless" will be a hit...

so since we have heard all the negatives..lets focus on the positive...being a fan of the book series of the same title..fearless tv is like going ahead into the future...Gaia moore (racheal leigh cook) 23, is now with the FBI..I wont go into huge spoilers or anything of the sort..just refreshing what we already know...

Her co-FBI ers want to know everything about this mysterious new partner of thiers..and of course being Gaia,
she is basically a no show with the info... she is basically a one woman army up to a point...that point being where she has to let her co workers know whats going down...but on her terms....and her co workers are unsure of the methods or the meaning there of..about thier partner...which if you go back and read the books...she doesnt(well barely) let anyone in...and they make quite a few references to the book series...which if you dont know...then your rushed into all this information in an hour worth of time...which for the pilot should have been 2...

Alot of people have compared this to "Alias".and.."Dark Angel"...while I respect that..IT should just be noticed that this show can go far..with a little re-vamping..one of which I hear is going on..with new writers etc etc...

While this is a positive review for a cool little new show..my only peev is that at the end of the pilot...she lets everyone on the team know she has the fear gene...just in one quick little discussion...and takes the happy last two minutes of the show...where Gaia in the books would never do so, just right out and say it....thats my only little peeve...hopefully that 2 minutes will end up re-shot and end up on the cutting floor.

Racheal leigh cook was born for this role....she is fantastic..and really shines..comparing her to the books,is like a mirror..I highly applaud the casting of this show and its look and feel.

Eric Balfour and Bianca lawson (Dark angel and buffy) are well cast in the supporting co-horts role...they really know how to follow the bodies to get to their girl...and I FEAR (sorry had to throw that word in somewhere) that some will typecast them for their earlier mentioned roles...

This show has a new look to it...the fight scenes are slick and definatly has a new look to it....and its unfair to condem this show so quickly...I am very grateful that I had a friend send me this pilot...so that I can leave this review...the best advise I can give....is read the books...(22 I think there are now)...remember the books when you watch the show...and you will definatly pick up on alot of little mentions here and there...where most viewers will go...huh?...whats that mean..?...etc etc...I had to do some back storying when my friends and I were watching the tape...

So Herc....there ya go....I hope you will let a POSITIVE review go out...cause trust me...when it came to the possible feedback (cmon fanboys bring it...cause I know the books...and the show)...I submit..absolutley...Fearless!

Best reguards Hercules,
Thanks for allowing this to go out..

Know of me as Zathras,
Cause Zathras use to being beast of burden..

I am – Hercules!!

+ Expand All

Readers Talkback

Sep 07, 2003 10:11:46 PM CDT

it was a book series?

by guerilla_films

Puh? Speaking of which, Herc, you outta put th e real coax news of the week: Jeopardy champions can now come back as often as they won't. No more "5 days and it's over" stipulation. Think of the dynasties that may be created!

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Subject

Content Puh? Speaking of which, Herc, you outta put th e real coax news of the week: Jeopardy champions can now come back as often as they won't. No more "5 days and it's over" stipulation. Think of the dynasties that may be created!
Sep 08, 2003 12:49:15 AM CDT

This show will break its premise every week

by sexybeast

TV shows are almost entirely based on cliches. And in TV there is no bigger TV cliche than that of the "tense life or death situation". Having your writes create stories for a lead character who does not know fear, is like asking a General to fight a war without weapons.

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Subject

Content TV shows are almost entirely based on cliches. And in TV there is no bigger TV cliche than that of the "tense life or death situation". Having your writes create stories for a lead character who does not know fear, is like asking a General to fight a war without weapons.
Sep 08, 2003 1:21:39 AM CDT

Zathras

by mistere

Herc, you got the guy's name wrong. Notice that he signs as "Zathras" and not "Zanthras." It's from Babylon 5, knucklehead. Being the master of Coaxial News, you should know this.

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Subject

Content Herc, you got the guy's name wrong. Notice that he signs as "Zathras" and not "Zanthras." It's from Babylon 5, knucklehead. Being the master of Coaxial News, you should know this.
Sep 08, 2003 3:53:13 AM CDT

Hmmm

by thesecondevil

Anybody else notice the multiple number of times the reviewer mentioned references to the book and that he had to read some backstory while watching the show? That's not exactly a positive thing, this needs to be accessible to anyone who knows diddly about the books.

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Subject

Content Anybody else notice the multiple number of times the reviewer mentioned references to the book and that he had to read some backstory while watching the show? That's not exactly a positive thing, this needs to be accessible to anyone who knows diddly about the books.
Sep 08, 2003 8:43:33 AM CDT

This review doesn't measure up to the one by Warren Ellis

by vikingkitty

There's just not enough information about all the white stuff that ends up on Rachel Leigh Cook's face.

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Subject

Content There's just not enough information about all the white stuff that ends up on Rachel Leigh Cook's face.
Sep 08, 2003 9:59:52 AM CDT

Zathras warned Zathras, but Zathras never listens to Zathras...

by spyguy

Zathras told Zathras to use spell check before submitting to Harry, but Zathras not understand. Zathras always good at doings, not understandings.

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Subject

Content Zathras told Zathras to use spell check before submitting to Harry, but Zathras not understand. Zathras always good at doings, not understandings.
Sep 08, 2003 10:15:03 AM CDT

Oh well...

by wizardx

No one ever listens to Zathras...

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Subject

Content No one ever listens to Zathras...
Sep 08, 2003 11:00:19 AM CDT

not the worst thing but it needed the retooling

by jinx

The pilot was limp, the main character illdefined and Cook clearly needed some direction on conveying Maya's "fearlessness".
Sacking Lawson I don't get unless they are going for someone more believable having clawed her way out of the ghetto.

Reply to Talkback

Subject

Content The pilot was limp, the main character illdefined and Cook clearly needed some direction on conveying Maya's "fearlessness". Sacking Lawson I don't get unless they are going for someone more believable having clawed her way out of the ghetto.
Sep 08, 2003 1:29:01 PM CDT

Rachel Not Fearless, just Emotionless

by unico

I saw the pilot awhile ago and the worst thing about it was Rachel's non-acting. She was just a zombie and didn't emote one bit.

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Subject

Content I saw the pilot awhile ago and the worst thing about it was Rachel's non-acting. She was just a zombie and didn't emote one bit.
Sep 08, 2003 1:57:59 PM CDT

There is so much wrong with this show's premise

by sexybeast

First someone born without the Fearless gene would be totally self-destructive. They would engage in all kinds of hedonistic pleasures. Someone without fear would have no sense of self preservation. If this person wanted to get from one side of a busy freeway to the other, he would just calmly walk across unafraid of getting hit. Then he'd get hit and killed. This person simply would not have survived very long.

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Subject

Content First someone born without the Fearless gene would be totally self-destructive. They would engage in all kinds of hedonistic pleasures. Someone without fear would have no sense of self preservation. If this person wanted to get from one side of a busy freeway to the other, he would just calmly walk across unafraid of getting hit. Then he'd get hit and killed. This person simply would not have survived very long.
Sep 08, 2003 3:04:27 PM CDT

Sorry NYK, that's just plain wrong...

by wungolioth

I'd like to see your 160lb self try to take on a woman who's gone through Navy Seal training, or Special Ops. Many disciplines of self defense use the opponent's strength and weight against him. Rage leads to poor choices in combat, and is easily countered by someone who's been well trained. I would even say that rage will get you nowhere when your opponent has no fear from your apparent rage. Even the smallest person can be trained in martial arts, I've seen children as young as 6 having high level belts, and demonstrating their abilities quite adeptly.

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Subject

Content I'd like to see your 160lb self try to take on a woman who's gone through Navy Seal training, or Special Ops. Many disciplines of self defense use the opponent's strength and weight against him. Rage leads to poor choices in combat, and is easily countered by someone who's been well trained. I would even say that rage will get you nowhere when your opponent has no fear from your apparent rage. Even the smallest person can be trained in martial arts, I've seen children as young as 6 having high level belts, and demonstrating their abilities quite adeptly.
Sep 08, 2003 7:16:00 PM CDT

Riding a motorcycle isn't self destructive

by sexybeast

Riding a motorcycle is more dangerous than riding in a car, but overall there is no immienent danger. Would you ride the same motorcycle if it was set to blow up when you went over 40mph? If you didn't have the fear gene you'd do it, and probably end up blowing yourself up.

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Subject

Content Riding a motorcycle is more dangerous than riding in a car, but overall there is no immienent danger. Would you ride the same motorcycle if it was set to blow up when you went over 40mph? If you didn't have the fear gene you'd do it, and probably end up blowing yourself up.
Sep 08, 2003 10:58:31 PM CDT

Thanks to all the talkbackers

by zathras34

Hercules,
I know I wrote that review about 7 weeks ago..and I got really upset and sent you a nasty letter, about not letting a positive review go through...I just want to say "I was wrong for saying that, and wrong about you and accusing that"

I was wrong and I admit it..

If you can let me know how I can submit anymore reviews or what have you...I would be grateful as I already am to you.

since this was my first, I feel like your obi wan...lol

Humbly thanks again,

David

Yeah this is a big deal to me...course I know your used to it..

Reply to Talkback

Subject

Content Hercules, I know I wrote that review about 7 weeks ago..and I got really upset and sent you a nasty letter, about not letting a positive review go through...I just want to say "I was wrong for saying that, and wrong about you and accusing that" I was wrong and I admit it.. If you can let me know how I can submit anymore reviews or what have you...I would be grateful as I already am to you. since this was my first, I feel like your obi wan...lol Humbly thanks again, David Yeah this is a big deal to me...course I know your used to it..
Sep 09, 2003 5:23:23 PM CDT

Fear gene? - Bullshit!

by earthworm_

You'd instead use your "brain gene" and decide that getting on a bike with a bomb on it isn't the smartest thing to do.

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Subject

Content You'd instead use your "brain gene" and decide that getting on a bike with a bomb on it isn't the smartest thing to do.

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A Review of FEARLESS From A Fan of the Books!!

The Bruckheimer-produced “Fearless” pilot, due to hit the WB at midseason, is cool, slick, well-acted, and reasobably watchable. If a bit more focus can be trained on characterization, we'll have a show with potential.

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