Welcome to Pilot Perception, our feature in which we break down the first episode of each new show in order to help you decide whether it’s worth your time.
The Show: The Tomorrow People, the CW in the U.S. on Wednesdays at 9/8c and CTV in Canada on Wednesdays at 7ET
The Pedigree: The show is based on the 1970s British show by the same name. This version is executive produced by Greg Berlanti (Arrow), Julie Plec (The Vampire Diaries), and Phil Klemmer (Chuck). Klemmer wrote the pilot, which was directed by Danny Cannon (Nikita).
The Cast & How You Know Them: The show stars Robbie Amell (Revenge), Luke Mitchell (Home and Away), Peyton List (Mad Men), Aaron Yoo (Disturbia), Mark Pellegrino (Lost), and Madeleine Mantock (Casualty).
The Premise: Stephen finds out that he’s one of The Tomorrow People, young people who are evolutionarily advanced, with skills like teleportation and telepathy. They’re trying to figure themselves out as they’re being hunted by Ultra, a paramilitary group. Stephen must figure out where his allegiances lie and whether he really wants to be one of them.
A Taste:
What Works: The concept is interesting, and this pilot was shiny and fun and drew me in. Stephen is an immediately likeable main character, and I liked that he was a bit hesitant to believe all the crazy stuff that was going on. Telepathy is one of my favorite paranormal things to watch or read about, so I was happy that it played such a big role. I like the family secrets angle, and it provides a nice excuse for all the other characters to be so interested in Stephen. And hey, the computer is voiced by Dan Stevens of Downton Abbey, which was pretty delightful.
What Doesn’t: The beginning of this pilot was pretty confusing, though I suppose it mirrored Stephen’s confusion. None of the other characters have much personality yet, so they’ll have to be developed to keep things interesting as the show progresses. And Ultra needs to have some more redeeming qualities if we’re to believe that Stephen’s loyalties are really so conflicted.
Our Favorite Line: “Just because I’m only in your head doesn’t mean I’m not real.”
You Might Like This if you like shows about pretty people with special powers or skills leading secret lives, like Arrow, Nikita, or Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
If You’re Interested: The CW is reairing the pilot on Friday at 8/7c, or check for it online at the CW, CTV, or Hulu.
(Photo courtesy of the CW.)