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'Traveler' goes out with another bang
Traveler started with a bang: the explosion of the Drexler museum. Its finale closed with a bang, but only after cramming in a shootout, a break-in, a foot chase, a betrayal, a kidnapping, and a death.
(Spoilers, obviously.)
It was great to see Will, Tyler, and Jay together again, this time without pretense. Naturally, the boys spent half the episode asking if they could trust each other, but there were hints of the friendship that was still there between them – especially when, as they often did, they confidently asserted that one of the other guys wouldn't shoot them. (And what do you know? They were right!) After fending off Marlow, at which point Will got shot (but don't worry about him; after the first fifteen minutes, he was totally fine), the guys went to retrieve the painting from the back of Tyler's car. Since the car was in the police impound lot, this meant that Jay had to break into the impound lot, slip into the car, and then fall from the car when it was on a moving flatbed truck, in a very tense and creative action sequence. Nicely done, Traveler.
Marlow, meanwhile, was suspended, but the minute she was, it became clear that she was going to crack the case. It's an undisputed law in any crime drama: the lead investigator must be taken off the case in order to solve it. And, in fact, Marlow made astonishing progress once she wasn't actually allowed to work on the case. She called an NSA buddy to get Joseph's name, and went to Joseph's house just in time for someone to call ordering her death. After their shootout, though, it was Joseph who ended up dead, and it was at that point that I realized that I haven't been giving Marlow the respect that she deserves. She's smart and tough, and it wasn't her fault that the plot kept requiring her to hit dead ends.
The corollary to the rule of suspension, of course, is that no investigator who plays by the rules can be trusted. And no FBI agent was more by-the-book than Chambers – unless it was Borjes. See, I knew one of the two had to be a bad guy. So when Whaley shot at Carlton Fog (Is he dead? I don't know. Will we ever find out? Probably not.) and Borjes cornered him, closely followed by Chambers, I was prepared for something very bad to happen. Or, at least, I thought I was prepared; it was still a shock to see Borjes murdered by Chambers. Poor Borjes. I'm sorry I suspected you. But you have to admit, you were kind of too good, you know?
Once Will and his pals had the painting, they set up an exchange with Freed – the painting for Tyler and Jay's lives back. But here was where you were supposed to think that Will was double-crossing his friends, because Freed really just wanted Tyler and Jay. But – surprise! – Will wasn't about to give up his friends, especially after he saved their lives, so it was all just a fake-out. Their real purpose was to record Freed's confession, including the part about how the Drexler was just for "fear and control" and "just the beginning," as if that whole conspiracy wasn't scary enough. By the way, have I mentioned how great Neal McDonough is? If I haven't, it's only because I thought it was implied.
Even though there's no word on a second season and nothing yet that makes me believe that there might be one, Traveler couldn't resist going out with some cliffhangers. Kim was in the clutches of Operation Hometown, Marlow discovered that Chambers ordered Joseph to kill her, Freed dropped some tantalizing hints about something called a "Fourth Branch," and then the limo Freed was apparently in exploded before the boys could deliver him to the press and start the process of clearing their names.
To be honest, I was expecting closure from Traveler. I thought that, when its episode order got pared down and it was forced to wrap up the story early, that the show would take that opportunity to come to a satisfying conclusion, in case it didn't come back. And although the episode did raise new questions, like the "Fourth Branch," and left Jay and Tyler on the run, I still found it satisfying. It was full of action and suspense, like the rest of the series, and it was the best episode so far. If Traveler has bowed out for good, then it went out on a high note, and there aren't very many shows which can say the same.
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I don't think it was the best episode of the series, but it definitely entertained.
Considering the cutback, they needed to cram a lot into this episode. And for that, I'm willing to forgive the rushed storytelling. It would have been interesting to watch the reunited trio for more than an episode.
The Chambers betrayal wasn't as surprising as his killing of Borjes; definite jaw dropper.
And Marlow definitely shined this episode. From her shootout with Richard, to her reaction to Borjes' death, to her phone call discovery of Chambers, her storyline was fun to watch.
Overall, a great series that was able to maintain the quality of the pilot throughout the season.
Bob | Jul 19, 2007 1:13:06 AM | #I can't say I was surprised that Chambers was 'the bad guy' - I thought that was implied when Stephen Culp was cast.
I too am disappointed that their wasn't a definitive conclusion, they should have given us that much. Example, when Kidnapped found out that they wouldn't be on beyond the 13, they closed the story. Traveler should have done the same.
Rishi | Jul 19, 2007 2:44:33 AM | #The problem was that 'Traveler' was supposed to run for 13 episodes. Their order got cut to 8, apparently before the pilot even aired.
So, this last episode was in no way a series finale. There were supposed to be 5 more episodes to wrap everything up (with a way to continue on if ratings justify it). But the network gave up on the show before it even made it onto the air. Pretty shameful treatment of the fans who committed to watch and who got into the show, but that's par for the course these days.
righteousdude | Jul 19, 2007 6:33:23 AM | #Just like ABC to cut 5 episodes from a series so that the writers and cast have to jump thru hoops to make a good story work.
At first I wasn't really into Traveler, but as I watched it I grew to like it more each week.
Loved the reaction on Marlow's face when she called the cell phone number and Chambers answered. Priceless...
Now it is up to ABC to see that there were people watching the show and that they should bring it back next summer to wrap up everything instead of just leaving us with questions.
John | Jul 19, 2007 6:45:39 AM | #ABC doesn't know a good show if it bit them on the butt.Traveler has a petition to get renewed at petitiononline.com under wiltrav. If they did give up the end of the story, would everyone keep signing the petition to keep it going? Maybe they will have a two hour special ending it all. ABC owes us that much.
Nicole | Jul 19, 2007 7:33:30 AM | #I agree with Nicole. ABC owes the viewers at least a two hour movie to wrap things up. I was literally screaming at the end because I couldn't believe it ended with so many cliffhangers.
I loved the finale, but you could tell that the episode felt rushed. The show's creator David DiGilio wrote in his blog that ABC did not notify the producers of the episode cutback until they were already filming episode 6. The writers had to do major overhauls to compress all the storylines into the two remaining episodes.
Nevertheless, I wish ABC or another network would pick up Traveler for another season. The writing, acting and production values were top quality.
Paige | Jul 19, 2007 8:07:38 AM | #Although, I found the episode a little cliched; Will filming Creed was expected. Chambers betrayal was expected. Will not killing anyone anymore was weird, I was waiting for Will to shoot Marlow or Creed in the leg or something. (Be like Jack!!)
Great acting coming from Marlow, I was so getting into her character. Overall good closeout for a cutback series, although I kinda understood why ABC would cut back. After the end of 8 weeks, I'm kinda getting tired of watching the boys run around telling people about thier innocence, I don't know if I could take 1-3 seasons of that.
Finally, part of me is still longing for jokes and teases between Jay, Tyler and Will. Would have made the show a little more endearing.
Gary Hong | Jul 19, 2007 8:34:44 AM | #Does the cell phone thing bug anyone else? I guess I have a low-end cell phone, because when I want to find out the last number who called me, I go to my menu. And I guess Chambers has his Caller ID turned off - he couldn't see who called him in that final scene? Am I nitpicking? Yes, I admit.
Despite it all - I love love love(d) this show and I am very upset it probably won't be back.
I'd like to see Will in something else ... soon.
Rosemarie | Jul 19, 2007 9:48:39 AM | #I like the idea of a 2-hour movie that wraps up the storylines. Doubt we'll get it though.
Bob | Jul 19, 2007 11:00:25 AM | #I think it was in TV Guide that the show's creator promised to wrap things up in his blog. As for people getting tired of the guys running aroung for 1 or 3 seasons declaring their innocence, "The Fugitive" (original version) ran for 4 years on ABC.
anlette | Jul 19, 2007 12:36:13 PM | #i hope ABC brings this show back. It's totally awesome. First rate cast, producers. I, too was left with questions, but my biggest one is: Will ABC be smart and renew it. I sure hope so, wednesdays night will not be the same anymore.
gregg | Jul 19, 2007 12:48:55 PM | #For Rosemarie: A thought about the cell phone number. It may have been FBI procedure to hand the phone to the experts to retrieve the phone number. How bad would it have been if Marlowe accidentally lost the information or was somehow accused of evidence tampering (as Chambers might have done because he had an agenda)? Also, Chambers may have had a second cell phone that he used to talk to the 'bad guys'.
As for the show in general, I was totally hooked from the first episode. Yes, a little cliche'd, but very exciting just the same. I am so tired of networks putting new shows on for a few episodes and then either pre-empt them or move them around on the schedule so much they can't be found without a treasure map. And with so many people recording shows for later viewing, how can they rely on Neilson ratings anymore?
I hope they give us some closure with a movie or bring it back!!!
Rhonda | Jul 19, 2007 7:23:52 PM | #Hey, powers to be, what is the matter with you?! Traveler is one of the BEST shows I have ever watched! Yet you fill up your schedule with garbage instead of a well-written show like this one. You didn't give it a chance. I fell into watching it by accident...never heard about it until I happened to turn the tv channel right at the moment the Jay got the phone call and the Drexler blew up. This show is an edge-of-the-seater like
Heroes, but for some reason, I like it better than Heroes, and Heroes is fantastic!
I must admit I watched the first ep and had my doubts that the show could sustain itself. I even skipped a few eps but returned to watch and found the show riveting. I got definitely "hooked" on it.
This has got to be one of the best series ever and I'm deeply sorry ABC couldn't or wouldn't give it a second chance.
i love this show. It should'nt be cancelled. i hope its renewed.
larry rios | Jul 22, 2007 12:44:40 PM | #This show was quite a ride. I'm not usually a fan of crime or high-action shows; I started to watch thinking it was going to be kind of a zany coming-of-age story about boys on a road trip. Then the museum exploded and it became something quite different! I was really hooked to see how it would turn out, and I must say I was really disappointed that they couldn't at least have a two hour finale so that everything could be wrapped up. We never found out what happened to Kim or how the character known as "The Porter" figured into the whole scheme. It also wasn't made clear what would happen to Carleton Fog after his arrest. And, most importantly, we didn't find out who Will Traveler really was--his real name, etc. Also, I was wondering about the female agent that he attacked in the park--she started out in the "agency" with him, but was obviously much older; for some reason I thought that she might have been his mother! It's too bad they ended the show without tying up the loose ends! This is the second time I started watching a continuing series that was pulled too soon. This must be a new policy the network has, but it really doesn't work--it often takes time to know whether you like a show, especially if they feed it to you a little bit at a time. Pat
Pat L. | Jul 23, 2007 9:40:34 PM | #Bring this show back, its way too cool to end.
roseanne | Jul 24, 2007 12:07:21 PM | #ABC does it again - the network needs to stop dropping good shows in order to show idiots pushing bad inventions or doing bad impressions!
I, for one, like a show with a plot that makes me think... guess ABC wants to play to the common idiot instead of to me?
Sarah | Jul 25, 2007 5:59:30 PM | #Please don't let it end this way! what is wrong with ABC???
I gotta have more Traveler. This has to be the best most intense show I have seen in a while. With all the other crap on tv lately and all the "reality shows" that are getting old with me, I really don't watch any of them anyway, it was nice to see a serious series again on tv. What about Kim???
JOIN THE SAVE TRAVELER CAMPAIGN! SEND CHIPS TO ABC!
porters-and-soldiers.com
Become a Porter, and save this terrific show!
Alana | Aug 1, 2007 11:51:12 AM | #This show was ballsey, I liked it. It attempted to show the willingness of the US government to sacrifice its' own people for the sake of a controlled society. It was cancelled because it hit too close to reality.
Dave H | Aug 2, 2007 8:57:38 AM | #BRING TRAVELER BACK.
gina | Aug 11, 2007 7:49:57 PM | #BRING TRAVELER BACK.
gina | Aug 11, 2007 7:50:05 PM | #BRING TRAVELER BACK.
gina | Aug 11, 2007 7:50:17 PM | #I compared this show to "Prison Break" Full of action and suspence!!! I was too involved and recomended it to many friends and people I met. It would be a GREAT loss to the series, viewers and adicts of the show and ABC if they do drop it. Don't make that mistake. You have a great series going! don't be foolish and drop it. I really looked forward to it all week long!!!!!!!!! You had GREAT characters and good looking ones too! Be smart on this one and bring it back . PLEASE!!!!!!!!! I think the following will only increase by word of mouthand time! You've got a winner, realize it! Thanks and I know you would be glad you did!!!
Jerry
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