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« Journeyman
Episode Recap: "Game Three"
When we last left the Journeyman, his MRI had come back clean and his wife was still not totally convinced about his trips through time. We've gotten very little from Lyvia about her own experiences hopping around in the past, and Dan has still not figured out how to control his own jumps. We're also waiting to find out how Dan went from being engaged to Lyvia to stealing his brother's girlfriend. I've said it once and I'll say it again: This show has way too much going on! Nevertheless, on to this week's show.
Just as he's about to get some lovin' in the shower from the wifey, Dan has another one of his uncontrollable time leaps. Before even finding out what year it is, he finds himself smack in the middle of a kidnapping attempt by a nerdy attorney named Alan Pratt. Shortly after, he's back at work in present day. The only thing we learn is that a 15-minute trip for Dan equals three hours in real time. Using his skills as an investigative reporter, Dan figures out that he had traveled back to 1989, the year of the big earthquake that rocked San Francisco. He soon finds himself back in '89 (note: this was his first time traveling back to the same year), and he's face-to-face with Lyvia again. This time we learn that Lyvia was traveling before she met Dan, it stopped once they met, and then it started again when she got on the plane to leave. Dan also tries to warn city officials about the horrible event about to take place, but with no success. In this trip back we also learn that Alan Pratt has a gambling addiction (the real reason people were trying to kidnap him) and Dan thinks bringing him in on an underground poker game may help him get over his addiction.
Back in 2007, Katie confronts Dan with her fears regarding his journeys (specifically when he's traveling back to the day of one of the country's worst natural disasters). Dan also tries to find out from his brother how he might be able to convince someone of an approaching disaster without sounding like a complete loon. On his third trip back to 1989, Dan concentrates more on saving lives then helping the loser with a gambling problem despite Lyvia's advice otherwise. While chatting it up with Lyvia, he ditches her in an attempt to save the life of his boss' sister. Unwillingly, however, he finds himself stuck with Alan Pratt once again.
In present day, Dan tries to squeeze info out of his boss about his sister (someone more deserving of his assistance), but his boss is more eager for Dan to make the deadline on his latest assignment. It seems his job is finally in question after weeks of this disappearing act. He asks his wife to take care of his current assignment while he works on his mission in the past.
As time grows closer to when the tremor hits, Dan meets with his boss' sister and get her to meet for drinks in an attempt to keep her from traveling through the tunnel where she is scheduled to die. Lyvia catches up with Dan at the bar and it accidentally slips that he is married to Katie now. As Lyvia begins to sound like a jealous ex, Dan's date arrives and realized she's interrupting something serious. She flees the scene.
Meanwhile, Katie has lunch with Dan's brother Jack who tries to convince her he's back at the tables (a gambler and a drinker?). How does questioning the prediction of earthquakes lead someone to believe you have a gambling addiction? What kind of bookie takes those bets? Anyhow, after some failed attempts to save other lives, Dan tries to investigate what happened to Alan Pratt. It turns out that a few days after the earthquake, he killed himself in a motel room to escape his gambling debts.
After trying to force himself back to 1989, Dan finally reaches his destination just in time for the big quake. Rather then save someone from the quake, Dan's mission is to make sure Alan is involved in it, which would give him the jump-start he needs to turn his life around. Alan spends the rest of his days fighting wrongful convictions of innocent prisoners. As the episode comes to a close and Dan returns home, he walks into his wife holding the watch that Lyvia handed to him in 1989.
Watching this week's show, a few thoughts came to mind. It seems as though each trip for Dan comes just in time to disrupt his attempts to make things right with his wife. It's as if the space/time continuum is trying to ruin his marriage. I also can't stand Dan's brother. He's way too quick to blame Dan's odd behavior on addictions, instead of actually trying to use his police training to get to the bottom of it. And as many of you have already pointed out, how does he still have a job? He disappears for hours on end and when he's actually in the office he spends his time checking out old newspaper clippings. Worst employee ever! Thoughts?
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Oct 9, 2007 12:44 AM
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Surely you don't actually like this show, do you, Adam? 'Tis painful just reading about it, to be honest.
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Oct 9, 2007 2:02 AM
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Another thing we learned is that he apparently only "travels" in San Francisco.
The brother is trying to discredit him because he stole his girlfriend away and married her. He doesn't much like his brother.
Other than that, not a lot new tonight, just a few scattered kernels of information.
I felt like I'd just wasted two hours after watching Heroes and Journeyman. But I found I got a little more from Journeyman than Heroes, sad to say.
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Oct 9, 2007 2:57 AM
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First let me say I truly wanted to like this show. Really I did. But the characters are not likeable at all - I cannot get emotionally attached to them. And the writting and plotting leaves a lot to be desired. I feel I am being jerked around with no payoff as to why all this time jumping is occurring and what the foreshadowing is for the big climax.
And how does he keep his job? I have to stay on two Instant Messaging devices at my job at all times and if I do not answer in five to ten minutes people go nuts. So how is he gone for hours - days and does not have time to do his work? I want to get his paycheck. Obviously he has got it made in the shade.
I still do not get the whole Lyvia plot device. This is episode 3 and it should have been explained by now, and what the impact is to him and to the future.
Basically, I have no reason to care for these people, and I do not see what the conflict is that he has to overcome.
This will be the last episode I watch unless I read an episode recap that draws me back in.
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Oct 9, 2007 2:59 AM
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Yeah Pinkie, I feel similar.
I was thinking I've watched over a season of Heroes and I feel its gone nowhere.
This show, Journeyman, needs to be tighter, it just doesn't flow as it should.
I think he should have somehow been allowed to save his boss' sister. I didn't like that part. The guy he saved was a jerk, and the payoff was meh.
Maybe the 4th ep will be the charm?
I am so bewildered at what they are trying to do as I sit here thinking about it, that I'm going to stop, typing, that is.
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Oct 9, 2007 4:32 AM
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I enjoy blogging about this show but it isn't one of my favs. I have yet to see an amazing ep. The first episode established what could have been a really interesting and fun take on time traveling. Instead, each episode seems to have covered the same ground as the pilot. His wife still doesn't totally believe him. Lyvia is pretty much useless. She could be the key to all of this and keep us coming back to find out more each week but instead she's more concerned with Dan's current life. Judging by the previews, it doesn't seem like next week will be any different though I will stick it through til' the network gives it the axe...which I'm thinking it will.
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Oct 9, 2007 9:11 AM
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I'm still loving this show. I liked seeing Lyvia finally get a surprise of her own - she's been so know-it-all, so it was nice to see her learn about Katie.
Loved Katie doing Dan's resarch for him, and the final scene with Dan and his boss.
If there's any problem w/ the show, it's that the actual cases aren't that interesting. If they could balance some interesting procedural stories along with the "mythology" of the traveling, and with Dan's family life, then the show would be better for it.
I certainly don't hate it like everyone else appears to, and I hope it sticks around for a long time.
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Oct 9, 2007 9:13 AM
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Actually, you learn in the first episode the Lyydia is presumed to die in a plane crash.
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Oct 9, 2007 9:30 AM
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I like the show ... don't love it yet ... but can't help comparing it to Quantum Leap.
In QL Sam Becket is a scientist who leaps *into* peoples bodies to right a wrong, here Dan is just an "ordinary" guy who finds himself in extraordinary circumstances. He can't help but be confused about the whole situation and torn between his old love and his wife.
What I can't understand is why Lydia *doesn't* know that Dan is married to her friend!! She obviously is tied to the present as well as Dan and must have access to information about people via the internet ... even if she has to use the library!
I get that the show, like Heroes, tries to dole out the secrets in drips in order to keep us watching ... but we really need a reason to keep watching and that is more believability in what and how the characters do things!
Writers of the show ... take note!! Go watch old episodes of QL!
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Oct 9, 2007 10:23 AM
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the guy he saved was a jerk, and the payoff was meh.
The guy that he saved, while being a jerk, did go on to get innocent people out of prison (may have been death row... cannot remember.) That seems to be the common theme with everyone he saves; they go on to do something important.
As far as the show itself, "ditto" to everything tvdiva said.
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Oct 9, 2007 10:52 AM
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This show could have potential, if the writers would make an effort to have us care about the characters in the present and the past. I watch, because the only other show in its time slot is CSI:Miami. I guess I could read a book...LOL! Prediction...this show will be one of the first to be cancelled.
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Oct 9, 2007 10:54 AM
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A couple of things:
- First off, I don't understand why people still think that his wife doesn't believe him. I have seen nothing to contradict that. I'm fairly certain that disappearing on a plane while in-flight was proof enough for her. The concern she voiced for his safety during his "travels" seemed real enough to suggest that she truly believes it is happening, even if she doesn't understand how or why.
- One thing that does irk me is Livia and that she tells Dan that she would have stayed had her trips really stopped. But, if she loved him that much, why didn't she come home after that trip that made her miss the plane? Why would you allow someone you love to think you are dead? And then how can you play jealous ex later on?
nsgal - When he saved Alan Pratt, Dan realized that Alan needed to go through this experience to get his life on track... he needed that jolt. And Alan went on to have a productive life doing good things. I think that's also why he couldn't save his boss' sister. It was her death that prompted Dan's boss to get sober and do something with his life. He needed to go through that trauma to realize how precious and fleeting life is...
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Oct 9, 2007 10:55 AM
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Sure there may be a a few falws inthe show but thenagain there's a a lot we don't understand about Lost or heroes and even though all the critics are raving about Pushing Daisies I see some flaws in that as well. I actually find myself intrigued by the characters in Journeyman(don't pick on my man Reed Diamond Adam  ). Why did jack and katie breakup? A drinking problem for jack was hinted at but still to end up marrying your brother's girlfriend is a pretty big deal and apparently katie & jack were somewhat serious at least it seemed that way. You say Jack is a jerk but a jerk might try to take advantage of jack's disppearances and weird behavior to go after katie again and jack said to Dan "I wouldn't do that to my brother"
I like this show partly because of reed Diamond(even if you think jack is a jerk Adam). maybe the people he saves might not seem that exciting but if these people live and go onto do good things , help others, etc isn't that the point... does Dan have to save the president or someone famous or "important" to make saving their lives worhwhile?
Say Adam do you know or could you find out if Reed Diamond will be making a return appearance too October Road. yeah I know the critics don't like it but obvioulsy there was enough support ratings wise that it will return and I'm happy about that. I love The commander and the professor together a good mature couple we need more of those on tv. if you can find that out for me you will beocme my favorite blogger!
One more question how is Journeyman doing in the ratings?
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Oct 9, 2007 11:55 AM
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Gabby, I agree that I can't help but compare this show to Quantum Leap. I seem to remember that in Quantum Leap that Sam always tried to do important things. But, here we're basically told that he can't save people from the earthquake and he needs to help get a gambler's life back on track. My problem with this isn't that I thought the gambler was a jerk, my problem is that saving a gambler from depression isn't interesting, at all. I mean, did the writers actually think about this at all? You could spend most of the episode having the hero try to prevent people from dying or you could have him spend most of the episode convincing someone not to gamble. In what world does the second option sound like more interesting television?
I also am beginning to hate Lyvia. She spends the majority of the episode telling Dan that he can't save anybody from the quake. Yet, he actually succeeds in getting his boss' sister away from the quake, but then Lyvia kills her chances for survival by playing the jealous ex card. And the worst part is she doesn't even apologize for it! The blonde girl is dead because of her and she doesn't even think to say that she's sorry? What a bitch!
Next week's episode doesn't look much better. "In order to save a life, will Dan have to take a life?" He already did that, remember? In the first episode he got that dad ran over by a bus in order to save his son. He didn't seem to feel bad about that, so I think it's a little late for him to start having moral dilemmas about him being responsible for people's deaths. I think I'm done with this show.
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Oct 9, 2007 12:08 PM
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Wow, these comments are all over the place. I wanted to respond to a few things:
His job and being fired for being the worst employee ever. Well Clark Kent did the same thing with much lamer excuses to change in his costume, please. Dan is doing better (each ep)with covering his disappearances and what reporter stays in the office all 8 hours?
The comparisons to Quantum Leap are unfair (and I did watch the show faithfully). QL was about a scientist that leapt through his own lifetime, righting what once went wrong. The righting wrongs thing is pretty much the only similarity and Sam didn't save great folks either, just regular folk. In the beginning, Sam didn't know what was going on or remember he was a scientist for a few episodes. So give Dan a break.
The traveling only in San Francisco thing, well whomever is doing this - sending Dan on his journeys apparently assigned these people to an area that is familiar to them. How could he use his skills to investigate, navigate neighborhoods and help folks in a different city?
And I have a theory on Livia on why she didn't find out what happened with Dan. If he travels back to 2007 as his home base, how do we know what year she travels back to? Her present could be anytime in the future or wherever her present was before. Say she is from 2020 and this is all her past? She could have been stuck in 1998 with Dan, not as her present but her past.
Sorry for the long posts but I just thought of those things as I was reading. Love the show BTW, in it for the long haul. 
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Oct 9, 2007 12:30 PM
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