by rick grant rickgrant01@comcast.net
Traveler is a new show on ABC that opens with an implausible premise. However, it shows promise of being an exciting series much like Fox’s Prison Break, in that it involves two young men who are falsely accused of a terrorist act. The series will deal with the young men as they avoid the pervasive dragnet and attempt to prove their innocence.
The incident that sets-up the two patsies, Jay and Tyler as terrorist suspects seems shallow. Two of the friends, grad students, on a lark decide to in-line skate through NYC’s most famous museum as a prank. Would young men of this age do this? I don’t think so.
Nonetheless, their other friend, Will Traveler shoots the stunt on video as they in-line skated through the museum, wreaking havoc. Of course, in addition to Will’s video, the sophisticated in-house surveillance system picks them up clearly. Then, just as they get outside, the museum erupts in a massive explosion. Will is no where to be found.
Soon, Jay and Tyler see their faces on CNN as the prime suspects in the bombing. They are being called terrorists and they both are scared to death. They learn that Will is missing and more disturbing, they can’t really prove he ever existed (think the “one armed man” in The Fugitive) because he always avoided being photographed. Their immediate concern is clearing their names, but with such major media coverage and an aggressive manhunt for them, they are afraid they will be accused of the crime based on their stupid prank.
Jay calls the FBI to feel them out. He explains that they didn’t do the bombing and the in-line skating was admittedly stupid, but just a prank. They suggest he come in immediately to tell his story, but Jay suspects they are already building a case against them. Tyler realizes they have been set up as patsies to take the fall for the bombing. They decide to stay on the run until they can find out more about what happened. Jay calls his father, a prominent VIP, who might be able to help them, but quickly realizes the FBI has his phone tapped and dear old dad is not free to help him.
So Jay and Tyler are fugitives–accused terrorists who are between a rock and a hard place with no resources to stay on the lam. By now, the story is international and their faces are on the FBI’s ten most wanted list. They hear that the Feds found a charred body whom they suspect is Will. So now they are on their own with no one in which to confide. If they turn themselves in, they realize they could be sent to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and be held without charge for years.
At first, I wondered whether this in-line skating incident was enough to drive the series as these two young men flee the Feds and try to solve the case on their own. But as the pilot unfolded, it hooked me with quality writing and acting by a stellar cast. How could these intelligent young men be so foolish to do something that got them accused of terrorism? Of course, whoever set them up knew they could use it against them. Will Traveler was an operative in this bombing–but why?
Yes, the pilot leaves viewers with many unanswered questions that may slowly come out as the series evolves. It could make for an intriguing suspense story arc. The caveat is: Did the premiere episode draw enough viewers to continue as a series? Look at what happened to Drive, which was yanked off the air after its debut episode failed to produce the desired numbers.
Traveler could continue as an exciting 24-like story with some hunky young people playing the lead roles. It has potential for excitement if given a chance.
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