At first I was excited when ABC announced that it would burn off the remaining episodes of Pushing Daisies, Eli Stone and Dirty Sexy Money this summer. Now, I'm not so sure. I enjoyed the run of Daisies, and was even fairly satisfied with the ending. It had just lost a bit of its charm for me, so I was okay with seeing it end. Eli Stone, however, has been turning in some of the best episodes of the entire series this summer. The more I get, the more I want.I don't know if absence made the heart grow fonder in this case, but the show is firing on all cylinders. And the character progressions? Maggie seems to be finding happiness and love at Pohsner Klein, and a much darker side? The Dowd coming back to Wethersby Stone? Even WS almost going under; sure you knew they were going to win a case to save the firm, but I liked how they had them first lose one to PK to make the situation even more dire. And then find the winning case when Jordan was bitching about his eggs.
As a huge fan of Boston Legal, I so enjoyed Alan Shore's moral crusades in the courtroom. These past few weeks have given me that fix with Jordan, Eli and Taylor. Executive malpractice is a brilliantly clever tactic and they argued it pretty well. Eli's still having visions, but they've found a good balance to keep them from overwhelming the show, though the occasional musical number is still appreciated.
Really, it's ABC's fault. I'd made peace with Eli Stone being off the air. Just a little to different for American viewers. I can live with that; in fact that happens all the time. But now ... now we seem to have the type of show that America could embrace and it's too late. The last hurrah for Eli and the gang is the series finale this Saturday at 10pm (the slot gives way to Dirty Sexy Money run-offs starting next week). I'm going to drill a hole through my head in honor and sit in front of the clouds while I watch it.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
7-07-2009 @ 5:31PM
garlick said...
I don't know how you could say Pushing Daisies lost it's charm, it was damn charming all the way to the finish.
I too found the ending to be somewhat satisfying, even if it felt kind of like an "add-on" to the actual show.
It was a good ending, and the line at the end by the narrator was pitch perfect. In every ending, there is a new beginning.
Still, it was incredibly sad to see that show go away.
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7-19-2009 @ 12:59PM
don said...
I really enjoyed Eli Stone and thought it was fitting that producer Greg Berlanti brought back Gregory Smith to be on the finale. Everwood, one of his other shows that ended way too soon, was one of the best on tv.
Don't know why Gregory Smith isn't on tv more. First time I've seen him since it was cancelled a few years ago.
don atlanta
7-07-2009 @ 5:33PM
trekker437 said...
It really is the best show on tv right now. And I am a tough critic watching more hours of tv a day then any human being should. Eli Stone had a number of web pages trying to save it but I think the ratings, even on these Saturdays, are not doing the job. We will always have our memories. And, just so you know, the finale is really good. I've already had a chance to preview it and it certainly leaves open the possibility of another season, but still manages to wrap things up nicely. I encourage everyone to tune in.
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7-08-2009 @ 10:35PM
Kristin Thompson said...
I adore this show and I can't believe it's going to be gone forever! I always thought it was a popular show, but networks are really disappointing me these days, what with CBS canceling Without a Trace in favor of a far less popular show. I understand monetary issues and budget cuts, but sooner or later the budget cuts aren't going to matter when networks alienate their viewers by taking away all of the decent available programming.
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7-07-2009 @ 5:39PM
xnifex said...
iwish they didnt cancel eli stone. you're gonna hate the finale because you'll want to know what happens next yet know you'll never find out.
yay for the brits or iring he whle season in may & someone uploading them online
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7-07-2009 @ 6:08PM
Matty said...
Speaking of great endings, this is one: "I'm going to drill a hole through my head in honor and sit in front of the clouds while I watch it."
Cheers, Jason. Excellent work.
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7-07-2009 @ 6:16PM
Basketcase456 said...
It was very unfortunate that Eli Stone got canceled. I agree that these last episodes have been some of the best. It is just too bad that many questions in the show will not get answered. ABC has not treated many of its shows about 20/30 somethings that are going through a change of life ordeal (see What About Brian and October Road just to name a few).
Unfortunately, Eli Stone had ratings similar to those other two series with roughly 5-7 million viewers a night, usually on that lower end. Compared to ABC's other dramas (Grey's Anatomy, Desperate Housewives, etc), 5 million viewers a night are not enough to keep a good show on the air, (but it seems like enough to keep According to Jim on the air for multiple seasons). Eli Stone will be missed, but this will free up Jonny Lee Miller to finally do a Hackers sequel.
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7-08-2009 @ 4:22PM
RobynM said...
Again, this sounds like Eli Stone was, like many others, a victim of overinflated expectations by the Networks.
5-7 mil a week? That's pretty much the top end of everything that's considered a "smash hit" on cable/satellite. Burn Notice, Mad Men, Psych, The Closer, etc.
If the Networks just can't live with the numbers their programming's getting on their "prestige" channel, they've all got a wad of cable channels that could always use original content. USA, Sci Fi, A&E, ABC Family, etc.
7-08-2009 @ 9:14AM
Jim L said...
It is really too bad that Eli Stone and Daisies are gone. It was nice to have 2 shows that were different and not the usual procedural. There are plenty procedurals on right now. I will miss them both.
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7-08-2009 @ 2:00AM
Mike said...
Not only did the ending to DP seem added at the end it seemed to jump to an end the writers might not have gone.
I think the pie man should have got with olive...come on no way he can stay with a woman he can never touch...and we were seein them get closer jut before the finale 2 shows when they knew they might need a fast wrap up.
Eli was excelent this week... but i have loved all eli shows.
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7-08-2009 @ 5:13AM
Mark said...
So say we all.
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7-08-2009 @ 7:08AM
Brainfish said...
Having seen the final episodes (already aired in the UK) I thought this had great potential to run for a another few seasons.
One thing that it messed up was that Jonny Lee Millar was about to take part in a race to the South Pole with Ben Fogle (rowed the Atlantic) which he had to pull out of because Eli got renewed for a 2nd season.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Thin-Ice-DVD-Ben-Fogle/dp/B0028QGYZY
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7-08-2009 @ 3:01PM
Candice said...
I hear you there! These episodes are amazing and I really wish the show hadn't been canceled. It'll definitely be one that I buy if/when it's released to DVD.
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7-09-2009 @ 2:23PM
Raked said...
I completely agree. Sigh. I love this show.
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7-10-2009 @ 7:15PM
Alexandra G said...
I love Eli Stone. Seeing these episodes have been difficult because it makes me miss the show greatly. I wish abc would bring it back...please. I am so tired of all the typical shows...and like someone else commented, how does "According the Jim" stay on the air..which is NOT funny but a great show like Eli Stone get pulled? I don't get it.
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7-14-2009 @ 1:27AM
Elaine said...
I just watched the finale of Eli Stone:( I loved that show! It was the best show to come along in years, along with Pushing Daisies. I watched every episode of these shows. They were so creative and entertaining. And the casts were phenomenal! Seems the dumbed-down masses only want reality TV or crass sitcoms. I can't believe that crap like According to Jim ran for 7-8 seasons!
Another amazing show that was canceled was The Riches. I thought that was safe because it was on cable (FX). No such luck! I am never going to love another TV show as long as I live. I still miss Now & Again and Shannon's Deal - remember them? I wish they were on DVD.
An
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9-03-2009 @ 8:33PM
Walter said...
It is incredibly rare to find a show so well-written, so heartfelt, so well produced, and with characters I actually *care* about, it is demoralizing to have it cancelled. I really wish USA would pick up on this show - they need something now that Monk is drawing to a close, and they always claim "characters are welcome" there. Fans of good television everywhere should mourn the passing of this particular prophet, and ABC should be ashamed. I hadn't even heard of the show until the DVD set appeared on the shelf, and I purchased it for three reasons only: A fondness for Magritte, George Michael's "Listen Without Prejudice" album, and Victor Gerber. I ended up devouring the first season over four nights, and found myself craving more. I still am, another season later.
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