Creator: Kevin Falls
Starring: Kevin McKidd, Gretchen Egolf, Moon Bloodgood, Redd Diamond, Brian Howe, Charles Henry Wyson,
Running Time: 585 minutes
Certificate: 12
Extras: 75 Minute Retrospective Documentary, Pilot Commentary, 20 Minute Feature On Where The Series Could Have Gone, Deleted Scenes, Image Gallery
JOURNEYMAN is a sci-fi show more drama than science fiction. It arrived at a very difficult time for television, as a writer’s strike was looming and viewing figures of those that may have recorded the show were not being taken into account. It only managed a 13 episode season in 2007, and has only now received a DVD release. That comes as a surprise, as this is a fresh and memorable show that uses its familiar premise to powerful effect.
Kevin McKidd plays Dan Vasser, who one day inexplicably time travels. No explanation is giving for the event, he merely gets a headache and finds himself in the past. This is one of the simple rules that allow the show to focus primarily on characters and consequences rather than tripping itself up on technical (and fictional) jargon. Other such rules see Dan only able to travel within his own lifetime. This means the time travelling doesn’t become a gimmick that sets Dan up against dinosaurs, cowboys, or famous world events such as the Titanic. Instead, Dan finds he must set certain wrongs right, in a QUANTUM LEAP kind of way.
Like all the best time travel stories, Dan experiences moral conflicts where sometimes the changes he makes for the better could end up having detrimental effects on the future. The pilot episode sees Dan having to save a man’s life to ensure that man has a son, but must then stop the man from killing his son later in life. It’s these kinds of quagmires that bring in the audience on an emotional level. The show also avoids treading over territory that other shows have explored before. Dan’s doubting wife (Egolf) is quickly convinced of his powers and is supportive, but there is no denying the impact it has on their home life.
The show is filled with richly textured characters, including Dan’s ex-partner (Bloodgood) who he believed to be dead but turns out to be a fellow timetraveller, and Dan’s brother (Diamond), a cop who was once in a relationship with Dan’s wife. The entire cast give brilliant performances and are always looking for, and understanding, the subtle nuances that make genuine people so interesting. The science-fiction and Bloodgood’s role are gradually built upon, knowing full well that it is not the focal point of the series.
The end of the series tries to tie up as many loose ends as possible and also begins to explore some wonderfully dark avenues. It’s a terrible shame that the show was cancelled, but at the same time the mystery is such that it feels as if the characters live on even 5 years after the show has ended. An accessible premise with each episode producing an engaging story of its own, JOURNEYMAN is a series that needs and deserves the right to be explored on DVD.
EXTRAS: This is exactly how a DVD should be put together, and for a show that was prematurely cancelled 5 years ago, that really is saying something. The 75 minute retrospective documentary looks at how the series was put together and the troubles it faced during its run. The fact that all major players have reassembled to discuss their involvement just goes to show how loved the show really was. All the main actors have gone on to bigger roles since, so it’s a true testament to the show’s quality that the stars would take the time out and look back. The 20 minute look at where the show could have gone also reveals a number of attractive possibilities as to what could have been. There are some popular shows still running that don’t get this kind of treatment, so fans and newcomers should certainly consider buying this set.
JOURNEYMAN THE COMPLETE SERIES is released on DVD on 29th April via Fremantle Home Entertainment.
