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« Roush Dispatch
A Fond Farewell to Eli Stone
Jonny Lee Miller as Eli Stone by Vivian Zink/ABC
I’ve been going on and on lately about how much ABC’s Eli Stone has grown on me, especially in the last few weeks—ironically, the show finding its truest voice around the time it lost new episodes of Lost as a lead-in, par for the course in this frustrating strike-warped midseason. Tonight, Eli signs off after its 13-episode tryout, and if you can watch it unmoved, maybe this really isn’t the show for you.
Last week, Eli (the charming Jonny Lee Miller) shook everyone’s world by correctly predicting an earthquake. This week, his own world is shaken when he decides to risk dangerous surgery to remove his aneurism (which could be the cause of his quirky and often musical visions). Eli isn’t so much worried about living or dying. “The something in-between is what scares me,” he says, and he’s not talking about the show being on the proverbial “bubble” for renewal. (I’m glad my pal Michael Ausiello shares my high hopes of the show returning next season. He’s rarely wrong.)
As Eli prepares for surgery, he puts his fate in his doctor brother Nate’s hands. And as fans of the show know, scenes between Miller and Matt Letscher (Nate) are always super-charged with emotion, especially since his brother began to see the light of something divine (as opposed to medical) in his brother’s visions. The recent episode in which Eli relived their father’s death through Nate’s eyes was one of the major turning points for a show that has become as affecting as it is entertaining. Watching his brother and his law-firm boss Jordan (the wonderful Victor Garber) become converts to Eli’s humanistic-prophet act has given the series an emphatic feel-good thrill.
Tears will flow as the various supporting characters gather around Eli, fretting over his fate and reflecting on how much he has changed their lives and lifted their burdens. This week’s legal subplot, an emotional knockout featuring The West Wing’s Richard Schiff in one of his best post-Toby performances, is about a man dying of cancer and refusing a new round of treatment because God “spoke” to him in “a moment of clarity. I had peace.” Both the client and Eli come to the realization: “If I never got sick, I’d still be asleep.”
Which all leads to one last production number, one last vision of George Michael, and one last demonstration of how to juggle show-stopping whimsy and unabashed heart in a thoroughly winning package. This episode also is a perfect example of how to end a season when you’re not sure the show itself has a future. It leaves you hanging in all the right ways, convincing you there is much more story to tell even as it satisfies you that it has told the introductory chapter and wrapped it up as well as humanly possible.
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Apr 17, 2008 9:35 AM
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The problem with Eli Stone, looking back now, is that the Pilot really didn’t convey what the show would eventually grow in to. It was all slapstick and site gags. Have Eli see a plane and dive across the conference table, that’ll be hilarious.
It wasn’t.
But as you pointed out, in the last month the show has really taken hold. The slapstick has turned into whimsy and the show has developed more heart than most could ever hope for. I’m not one to get emotional over TV but I have to admit that the show has almost brought me to tears not once, but twice in the last two weeks (both times being the very end of the episode in case you were curious)
What other show could turn a devastating earthquake into one of the most joyous moments on TV?
The show still has some problems but given the rate its gotten better it would be a shame to see it leave us so early. It would also be a shame to give it a chance to air with a compatible lead-in. If ever there was a pair of shows that would go together better than Eli Stone and Pushing Daisies I honestly can’t think of them.
In the end, ABC is still in a place where they can take a chance on this and I really hope they do.
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Apr 17, 2008 10:54 AM
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I realized while I watched the last few minutes of the Sunday episode that my fingers were crossed and I was silently praying for an earthquake. I agree with the few other people that have mentioned this, it was the first time I was praying that an earthquake would happen! My heart couldn't take it if there wasn't one. I let out a cheer when the room started to shake! I can't wait for tonight episode! I'll be watching with a box of tissue!
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Apr 17, 2008 11:05 AM
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Thanks for spreading the Eli Stone love, Matt. Like you (and many others), I'm really hoping that this show returns next season.
Can't wait for tonight's ep!
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Apr 17, 2008 11:09 AM
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I knew I liked Eli Stone from the beginning; I knew I loved it when they made Eli and the audience wait several episodes for the prophesized earthquake to appear. How can you honestly have "faith" if everything is always wrapped up by the end of the hour?
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Apr 17, 2008 11:26 AM
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I have watched this show from the beginning and really enjoy it's quirky style and humour. I, too, was yelling at the TV hoping for an earthquake to justify Eli! Let's hope the powers at be at ABC can find a fit for it.
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Apr 17, 2008 12:13 PM
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Count me in as an Eli lover. I remember reading all the comparisons to Ally McBeal before the series started and thinking that wasn't a bad thing at all and would probably be right up my alley. But it's definitely its own show, not an Ally clone. The fact that Tom Cavanaugh plays the dad in the flashbacks also sold me on the show. Its also been great seeing George Michael in a positive light again. I don't know who came up with the idea of using him as Eli's muse but it was a brilliant one. I really hope it comes back for another season but it's good to hear that if it doesn't the finale will be provide some kind of closure. I have a feeling it will be renewed, though.
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Apr 17, 2008 12:16 PM
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Eli Stone is a truly wonderful and unique show. Rarely do I find a show that can cover all bases of emotions - laughing, crying, hoping. It all boils down to being able to like the characters and to tell you the truth - in some way, shape or form I like everyone on that show!
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Apr 17, 2008 2:20 PM
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Thank you Matt for the great post on the great show, Eli Stone! I love this show from the very begining and I too hope TPTB keep this great show on. Usually when a show is this good it doesn't get renewed, but I am really hoping and relaying on "Faith" that it will be returned. I can not wait for tonight's episode and will be sad to see it go all ready, but I am ready for LOST to return. It will be interesting to see IF it does come back, where it will be placed. I hope they find a good night, (NOT Mondays please), for the show-that is always important for a sophmore show! Ok enough! I will have my tissues ready for tonight's episode!  Thanks again, Matt, you rock.
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Apr 17, 2008 2:49 PM
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Thanks again Matt, for giving this show as much postive press as you could, this fan greatly appreciates it.
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Apr 17, 2008 3:23 PM
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I soooo LOVE this show! It MUST come back next year. The best new show all season! Great cast, getting better each week. Sparkling fun! I want more and I want emmys!!!
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Apr 17, 2008 4:07 PM
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I firmly believe this show will be back next fall. I've got nothing solid to base that on, just a hunch- but you gotta have faith!
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Apr 17, 2008 4:11 PM
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Ilove this show! I've even watched it over E R and Without a Trace, two of my favorites. I even had to look up George Micheal songs. I sincerely hope it's renewed and we have a full season. All the actors are great!
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Apr 17, 2008 4:33 PM
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I must admit I haven't given this show a chance. But with Richard Schiff and Victor Garber in the same hour of television, I just might have to.
It just seems to follow my trend of only discovering TV shows after they are canceled. Or almost canceled.
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Edited by kathleendorsey at 04/17/2008 1:54 PM
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Apr 17, 2008 4:54 PM
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As a law student, I was really turned off by the ridiculously unrealistic use of law in this show. I also found the main character rather bland. I enjoyed certain characters though, like Maggie. I stopped watching the show several weeks ago, but your dispatch has convinced me to give it a second chance. I'll watch the season finale tonight and see if I've been too hasty in dismissing this show.
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Apr 17, 2008 5:53 PM
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