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« Traveler
May 10, 2007: "You've Got to See the World Before You Can Change It"
I really liked this show. And lately, television and I have not been getting along. Just last week I decided to break up with Grey’s Anatomy. This was a big step for me, because Grey’s and I have been together since the beginning. But I’ve decided to move on… and I’d like you to meet my new love interest: Traveler. Every time I try to explain this show to my friends and family I find myself calling it “The Traveler,” but nope! It’s just Traveler.
My infatuation for Traveler began the moment Jay spoke the words, “My father died, because someone in the government betrayed him. That didn’t make me hate my country — it made me want to fix it.” That line took my breath away and I instantly fell in love with the lead character Jay Burchell (the oh-so-cute Matthew Bomer). I know he’s got a trusting and sympathetic girlfriend, Kim (Pascale Hutton), but a girl can dream.
I barely noticed "Will Traveler" (Aaron Stanford). I don't think he's dead (by the way, it seemed like everyone was wearing a blue track jacket tonight). He's a sneaky guy, and what's with the video camera? He never had his picture taken, but he definitely wanted a lot of footage of my boys. And even though Jay ignored his gut instinct not to play a prank, I still like the guy. Boys will be boys and rollerblading through a museum is hardly a crime. Until the building you rollerbladed through — while being chased by security — blows up. Then there's a problem.
I’ve also decided that anyone who lifts a finger for me at a hotel is getting a huge tip! There was something about the hotel porter (Billy Mayo) that made me rethink his role. He seemed like a cool cat when he asked Jay and Tyler (Logan Marshall-Green) about their road-trip plans. Then he saved them from the feds. Twice. Obviously, he is going to be a big part of this show. He knows more about the situation than anyone else.
Tyler isn’t exactly my favorite character, but I’ll blame his father, Carlton Fog. I do not trust him. I don’t care how much money you have, no parent could be that calm after hearing that their son is a suspect in a bombing and has been dubbed a terrorist. The man is trouble and the previews for the May 30 episode prove it.
I used to watch Desperate Housewives too (I ended it last year). I was upset when they killed off Bree's husband, Rex. But I'm glad to see Steven Culp in a new series and a very different role. I was impressed by the federal agents: Fred Chambers (Steven Culp) and Jan Marlow (Viola Davis). Chambers isn’t exactly on Jay and Tyler’s side, but he’s doing his job. Marlow gave me goosebumps when she said Jay “panicked, but his speech pattern didn’t show that he was lying.” She believes some part of Jay's story and he’ll need her faith to prove his innocence. By the way, that woman can run! She must have chased Tyler through and above six different buildings. After Tyler dropped his bag, I would have stopped on the fire escape to check it for water. Or perhaps some travel mix? I love that salty/sweet mix.
So, now that you’ve met my new show, please let me know what you think. My friends enjoyed hanging out and watching Traveler, and my parents loved it! It’s official — our next date is May 30.
For more clips from Traveler check out our Online Video Guide.
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May 11, 2007 1:06 AM
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the producers of 'vanished' and similar shows should take note of 'traveler'. unlike the rest of those shows that tried this experiment and failed miserably, i really enjoyed this one! it didn't hit you over the head with the conspiracy, it just gave you a few well-timed fragments and tidbits. the acting was great. the writing was rushed and pretty intelligent and exciting. i did not want to find another show to get hooked on, but i did. crap!
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May 11, 2007 1:14 AM
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I enjoyed this show more than I thought I would. I'm definitely looking forward to the next episode on May 30th.
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May 11, 2007 2:03 AM
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I've been looking forward to this show ever since I read about it in a preview issue of TV Guide. I'm glad that my interest was rewarded--the show is intriguing and full of action, and Matthew Bomer isn't too bad, either; I loved him as Luc on Tru Calling. Plus, Steven Culp and William Sadler?
Logan Marshall-Green was the weaselly Richard Heller on 24 a few years ago, so maybe having a shady father here is payback.  I'm looking forward to following the show and discovering the truth, and hope that the show lasts so I get a chance to do so, unlike Reunion, Vanished and Drive. Lets hope that ABC is kinder to their serialized thrillers than certain other networks.
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May 11, 2007 2:11 AM
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It's intriguing, although I found that it suffers a little bit from a "plot progresses only because the main characters do REALLY STUPID THINGS" problem. And the flashback to when the three men met each other in their house for the first time was painfully bad. Hopefully ABC will give this a chance to actually go somewhere.
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May 11, 2007 2:31 AM
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I taped it and thought oh well if I get bored later...so later comes and I flick it on..and it was good, didn't even take a break.
Matthew Bomer, very cute, the other two, not so much..shallow, but true.
I have to wonder, with all the fall schedules (upfronts) coming up in May, how could they know if they were keeping this? Based on this 1 aired episode? Or is this just a burn-off?
Casey, I don't blame you for breaking up with Grey's (I did the same as you and dumped Desperate H.). Still with GA but it is annoying, Gizzy, fake mommy gone, bar slut joinging the cast, and Addison leaving for that pile of crud. Gee they really know how to ruin a good thing.
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May 11, 2007 3:19 AM
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One correction: Bree is Marcia Cross; Brie is cheese. And I too thought it was a shame to kill off Rex (although I love Kyle Maclachlan & Orson).
Yes, Matthew Bomer is drop dead gorgeous; I'm not as taken with Logan Marshall-Green (maybe if it had been Logan Echolls. . .). I am intrigued by the plot and intend to let it be my replacement in Lost's time slot. I look forward to seeing it come May 30.
Once upon a time "fellow traveler" was a euphemism for Communist, BTW.
I wonder if we'll be seeing the president when he gets back from his trip to Tokyo?
I'm still trying to figure out whom Billy Mayo reminds me of.
Nice to see Gerry Becker (the slimy Nathan Reed from Angel) again. And I just saw William Sadler on a CSI rerun as a murderer. The guy has been a terrorist in Die Harder, the Grim Reaper in Bill & Ted's Bogus Adventure, and, in a change of pace, the sheriff in Roswell. He's a good actor--and an excellent villain.
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May 11, 2007 5:35 AM
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Casey - nice summary!
I was really looking forward to this after reading the Celebrity blog (which I hope he will update soon!)..... And I was not disappointed. While it didn't keep me on the edge of my seat like 24 at its best will do, it did hold my attention.
Intensity wise - it appears to be a cross between 24 and the old TV series, The Fugitive! Medium will be off for the summer, so I guess I have something new to watch!
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May 11, 2007 8:43 AM
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I have so many shows now that I watch, that I didn't want to get hooked on another show. But, the preview just sucked me in. I'm glad I watched it though. I think its a great show. I really like it. And I like the characters too. I just hope it does good in the ratings. Nothing sucks more than getting hooked on a new show, and then it gets cancelled.
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May 11, 2007 9:05 AM
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I enjoyed it. I got just enough of the conspiracy to intrigue me. I will definitely be back on the 30th!
These boys were obviously targeted from the get go because of their backgrounds, were manuevered into the same house together. Methinks the plan doesn't end with the museum bombing.
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May 11, 2007 9:24 AM
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I am so gun shy about getting into a show and then have it axed like Vanished, Drive, and the list could go on and on. But we are suckers. I will watch this one too.
Come on ABC, get us through the Summer and fall until Lost comes back.
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May 11, 2007 9:40 AM
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I am glad it is a summer series (premiering May 30 if you didn't get stuck watching all commercials).
My biggest problems have to do with fact checking. Um, Jay had to go to three years of law school and if this is immediately after graduation, he wouldn't have been up for this two month trip. He would have, you know, the bar exam at the end of July that even Yale grads have to study for (especially since most are taking NY). A fix could be that Jay had graduated last year and was doing a public interest fellowship sponsored by Yale, or, hell, he still has a year left. And, while I didn't go to Yale, I went to law school near there, I am unfamilar with their graduate studies in chemicial engineering.
I will keep watching, but I have a feeling Jay might get to goody two shoes and Tyler might just prove himself to be the more fun character to watch.
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May 11, 2007 11:15 AM
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I loved, loved, loved Traveler. It had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. I'm so hooked and can't wait until May 30th for the next new episode. I was hesitant to get invested in a new show, particularly on ABC which is quick with the ax, but I hope Traveler has staying power.
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May 11, 2007 11:29 AM
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I give it 3 episodes and then POOF... it will be pulled. It's awful (sorry to those who enjoyed the episode). I tried to stay focused...no luck.
I too have left Grey's behind, and won't watch Addison's World if it's picked up.
I think the networks have overplayed the night time soap operas, just as they have with reality shows. It's overload, and as a result, people are tuning out.
I'll stick with Boston Legal, ER, Brothers and Sisters, Entourage, the last few Sopranos and other shows on cable. Network TV is on the downturn; just look at what it's airing.
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May 11, 2007 4:22 PM
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Okay, I know the alphabet network isn't one of my most-watched, but how on earth did I miss the previews for this one?? Was I just living in a hole, or did ABC do a really terrible marketing job? Cause before I stumbled on this blog (and I only managed that because it's right under Survivor and Supernatural), I had NEVER HEARD of the show.
HOWEVER, I just watched the eppy on abc.com, and my gosh! I'm totally hooked! I loved that they're using actors that actually kind of look like guys I went to college with (except Matthew Bomer... I'm only WISHING I went to college with guys that looked like him... yummy). Plus, I have NO IDEA what's going on - just how big of a conspiracy is this? - and that's awesome. Hopefully they'll be able to strike a good balance between character development, moving the plot forward at a reasonable speed, and still giving us some answers. It's a rare thing, so I'm not holding out much hope, but still, my summer TV viewing just got a whole lot better.
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May 11, 2007 4:25 PM
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