Blog #57 Believe Series Review

2014 Sci Fi & Fantasy, Drama

Created by Alfonso Cuaron, Mark Freidmand, Jake McLaughlin and, Johnny Sequoyah

Starring

Jake McLaughlin as William Tate, Jr. Mr. McLaughlin also played Ryan in Last Night on Earth 2024, Adam in Another Time 2018, Merrit (uncredited) in Super 8 in 2011, Sligo in Heroes 2009 1 episode, Helicopter pilot (voice uncreditied) in Cloverfield 2008, and a Soldier in The Day the Earth Stood Still 2008.

Jonny Sequoya as Bo Adams

Jamie Chung as Janice Channing. Ms. Chung also played Misa (voice English version) in Star Wars Visions 2021 one episode, Violet in The Misfits 2021, Clarice Fong in The Gifted 2017-2019 twenty-nine episodes, Ji-Hah in lovecraft Country 2020 ten episodes,

Kyle MacLachlan as Dr. Roman Skouras. Mr. Maclachlan also played Hank Mclean in the series Fallout 2024, Dale Cooper in the series Twin Peaks 2017, and Lloyd Gallager in the movie The Hidden 1987.

Delory Lindo as Dr. Milton Winter. Mr. Lindo also played Brazzelton in the movie The Core 2003.

Composer Steven Price

Country of origin United States

Orignal language English

No. of seasons 1

No. of episodes 13 (1 unaired)

Executive producers Alfonso Cuaron, J. J. Abrams, Mark Friedman (pilot only), Bryaln Burk, Jonas Pate and, Hans Tobeason

Producers Seamus Kevin Fahey, Tamara Isaac, Athena Wicknam and David DeClerque

Production location New York, New York

Cinematography Christopher Norr and Gonzalo Amat, AEC

Editors Jeffifer Van Goethem, Rich Fox, Annette Davey, Timothy A. Good, A.C.E. and, Brian A. Kates, A.C.E.

Camera setup Single-camera

Running time 43 minutes

Production companies Bad Robot, Esperanto Filmoj, Bonanza Producitons and, Warner Bros. Television

Original release

Network NBC

Release March 10-June 15, 2014

Image 2 BELIEVE — “Pilot” — Pictured: (l-r) Johnny Sequoyah as Bo, Jake McLaughlin as Tate — (Photo by: Eric Liebowitz/NBC) Bo and Tate on the run

Synopsis: The story begins with the assisted escape of a man on death row. Dr. Milton Winter, disguised as a priest, comes in to offer confession. Instead, Dr. Winter provides an escape if the inmate, William Tate, agrees to a job: protecting a young girl, Bo Adams, from bad people. It sounds absurd to him, but he agrees. How could he not? He was about to be executed. After an arduous journey, which includes going through a sewer, Mr. Tate arrives at the hospital where the Bo is and accomplishes the task of keeping her from a bad person. Thinking the job is done, the two go on the lam, only to learn that the job will last until she is safe, something Mr. Tate is not happy about. The series follows the two as they discover secrets about each other. I won’t go into what they are except that the child is unusual to downright strange. Bo Adams has ‘abilities’-telepathy, precognition, or other supernatural powers-that make her a target for those seeking to exploit her. These abilities others want, including our own government. It is a high-stakes game.

The series mainly involves running and Bo getting different signs and communications that someone needs help, and she gets Tate to help her. Tate is reluctant at first, but comes to believe that Bo is correct and they must at least try.

Image 3 Winter, Bo, and Tate trying to help Channing

Critique- I enjoyed the first episode with the raggedy felon and the sweet, open young girl. As the story develops, each character learns a lot. Dr. Winter is adamant that Bo must develop her ‘powers’ at her own pace, which is difficult given that the major bad guy, Dr. Roman Skouras, is always on their heels. I must admit, I didn’t like Roman, mostly because he was bad, but also because the actor has played characters that I admired. Yeah, a problem with playing multiple parts. He was awful and in no way would you want the child to fall into his hands, so Mr. Maclachlan did well and was someone you would like to avoid.

The story is predictable, lots of running and close calls, but what I liked about it was that the characters grew, learning hard lessons and adapting to the new knowledge, something I feel is essential for characters in writing instead of having cardboard participants in the action. The ‘powers’ were vast and kept growing. An explanation of where they came from was discussed, but I didn’t find it detailed enough to seem likely. However, heaven knows what some scientists are working on in dark corners of the globe, so who can say?

The scientist in this show, Dr. Skouras, was fiddling with things way beyond his ken, but this fellow had the United States at his back, and you know he would go behind their back if things didn’t work out. Greed is tough to fight.

Image 4 Winter, Chaning and Skouras trying to work out what to do

My favorite episodes were the pilot and Episode 8, which was about a horse. In the pilot, Tate has long, messy hair, especially after the sewer, which Bo complains about. I couldn’t help but think this felon was dangerous, but Tate takes each event one step at a time and comes to Bo’s defense when she is threatened. He really does go the extra mile.

In Episode 8, called Together, Bo wants to help a family man in over his head. Turns out the solution is getting a racehorse back to a loan shark. With Tate’s help, a deal is struck, and Bo and Tate go in and get the horse. The episode starts out with the statement “I like horses,” which I found fun. Unfortunately, the only ‘powers’ shown were Bo telling Tate that the horse liked him. Frankly, I wanted more communication with the horse, but it was a sweet, gentle rescue.

The series was never finished, which is disappointing, but I still enjoyed it and recommend it, leaving a sense of curiosity about what could have been.

Where to Watch

https://www.justwatch.com/us/tv-show/believe/season-1

https://watch.plex.tv/show/believe/season/1

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The End

Sources

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Believe_(TV_series)

2. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2474864/

3. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001492/

4. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005148/

Images

1. https://tvseriesfinale.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/believe02-e1394507265477.jpg