Pilot

[Jennifer Gray (Maurine)]

OK, I watched Pilot tonight, and my mom watched it too. Now she wants to see an episode a night or something....so not sure how to do this. <BR> <BR>I am not sure how to comment on this episode, as it is a continuation. Other than the obvious, the subtle glimses into the paranormal, with healing and the such, it seemed fairly normal. But it seems to have a little something for everyone, and definately something an entire family could watch. <BR> <BR>I am also watching this first episode with the knowledge that the series may not have reached its desired goal, as it was cancelled. The story in the end may not have been fully told. I believe that after seeing this first episode it would be interesting to know at just what point the writers knew that things were not going well for the show, and how that may or may not have changed the course of the story. After all, it is said that Adam has a goal to influence our world, to make a change. Either this change is to be viewed as a subtle influencing of all the people he comes in contact with, or an actual in your face shift in behavior for all to see. I believe it is obvious that the first of the two speculations is to be shown, as it was in this first show. He did succesfully touch at least the mother(can't think of her name now) and we are left to assume that she in turn will spread the magic if you will. <BR> <BR>I will see what others have to say.... <BR> <BR>Maurine

[Agent Pat (Agentpat)]

"A film is a ribbon of dreams. The camera is much more than a recording apparatus, it is a medium via which messages reach us from another world that is not ours and that brings us to the heart of a great secret. Here, magic begins." - Orson Welles <BR> <BR>"Magic" indeed. Pilot was Centropolis' little ribbon of dreams. For some of us Visitor fans, it all started there. <BR> <BR>From your commentary Maurine, it seems as though you haven't seen the other episodes yet. If not, you're in for a treat. But either way, I look forward to reading your future posts on the show. <BR> <BR>As to your question of when cast and crew were informed about not being renewed, I believe that happened around the shooting of "Reunion," which was the eight episode into the series. (For those who know for sure, please let us know. I'm not 100% positive on that but vaguely remember it being mentioned somewhere.)

[Kefla (Kefla)]

Maurine - very cool to see a fresh perspective on this series. (But you've seen the show before, right?) Maybe Pilot would be the most "true" to the makers' original concept for The Visitor - before wrangling with the network set in. Anyone know? <BR> <BR>Agent Pat - great quote - the imagery it evokes is perfect for looking at The Visitor with hindsight. <BR> <BR>Watching Pilot - only 1 hour to set the groundwork for this series - I was impressed with the way the subtle changes in the mother, Nadine, *and* in her son, Tyler were portrayed. Nadine's angry negativity toward both her son and the Visitor gradually changes around completely. Tyler changes from a sullen teen to a youth with at least a positive emotional attachment to Adam and hints of an improved relationship with his mother. That's quite a lot to accomplish in the hour and doesn't even begin to describe all that happened. <BR> <BR>The scene in which MacArthur is "dying" in the hospital, and Tyler's self-concept is collapsing in parallel (He says it's all his fault for wearing the jacket and runs away from the door) - that scene was masterful. It tied together the Visitor's larger mission to survive and escape to change humanity's future - and the smaller, human interest story of making a difference in the Walden family's life.

[Jennifer Gray (Maurine)]

I saw most of the episodes....but I do not remember all the ones I saw. I only watched them as I recorded them, if I watched them at all. Not sure why that was...I think I was somewhat miffed knowing the show was cancelled. <BR> <BR>Maurine

[Great Taste AND Less Filling! (F_U_N_G_U_S)]

Pat, I believe non other than Leon Rippy himself told us at the Patriot set that most of the people didn't know about the cancellation until just before the filming of the 13th episode! They probably knew it was a possibility, but nothing was confirmed until they filmed the last ep...

[Chris Ceraolo (Chris)]

Actually, Dean told Roland on November 11, 1997. He then told the fans not soon after. <BR> <BR>I don't think Dean knew that he told me on my birthday (not a great gift) when he told me two days later, but still, it was VERY sad when it happened. <BR> <BR> <BR>Chris <BR>The FOX plant

[Agent Pat (Agentpat)]

Ah, that explains why I was thinking "Reunion" then. "Reunion" first aired on Nov 7th. <BR> <BR>Notification just before production on the "Trial" would probably be about right given the four to six week delay between production start and airing. This would explain the extensive use of flashbacks used to recap the series as well, since the original 13th episode had nuthin' to do with Adam being put on trial by the other abductees. I guess the writers were forced to hurriedly re-write the ep and put together a series' end.

[Kefla (Kefla)]

**sniff** Drowning the sorrow in a bit of detail discussion, LOL. <BR> <BR>Did anyone look at the set for Mother's first appearance in this episode? At one end of the room, there are decorative plates on the wall, a wooden display rack, a typical old lady's apartment. When she turns around to answer the phone, we see the computer equipment, etc. and the words FBI Headquarters appear on the screen. Funny.

[Emma (Emma)]

Last night Lucinda Jenny appeared in a movie on CBS titled "Scattering Dad". Lucinda Jenny played the mother, "Nadine", in the first and second eps. What timing, huh? --- the weekend we were to watch and discuss the "Pilot" ep. BTW, Elaine Miles (Marilyn in NX) was also in this movie. Hmmmmmm . . . <BR> <BR>Emma

[Kefla (Kefla)]

Hey, sharp eyes, Emma. Don't think I've ever seen that actress (Lucinda Jenny) in another role.

[F13 (F13)]

If you're interested, here are Leon's comments taken from <I>TV Zone Special #29</I> <IMG SRC="http://www.electric-ent.com/bbs/clipart/happy.gif" ALT=":)"> It fits in with what has been said above: <BR> <BR>In November 1997, NBC put the promising <B>Sleepwalkers</B> to rest after only two weeks. Two months later the cast and crew of <B>The Visitor</B> learned that Fox had declined to renew their show for the remainder of the season. “ I nearly choked to death, “ say Rippy. “I had a bite of food in my mouth when John Corbett announced it at lunch. John Storey and I were sitting next to each other and John Corbett was across from us at the table. He left the room for a minute and when he came back he told us, ‘Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention please. Fox has decided not to pick us up, so it’s been a fun ride and I’m sorry.’ After that he turned around and walked out. Everyone was stunned. After work we had to finish up work on the next to last episode [<I>The Chain</I>] and we all found it extremely difficult to go back in front of those cameras. <BR> <BR>“We all took it rather personally,” continues the actor. “Now, I don’t know what a share means or any of this other ratings stuff but from the viewing figures being printed in the weekly papers it seemed we were doing OK. A lot of big name sponsors were lining up to buy advertising slots on the series so someone must have been watching. I’m not privy to how these decisions are made in the upper echelons so I really can’t say much about the cancellation other than that I was shocked. I know Dean did everything in his power to keep us going. I wish I knew the reason but obviously the decision had been made. It’s a shame but at least we go to do 13 episodes.” <BR> <BR>I'm not sure how bidding between US TV stations works myself, but would there have been a chance of a rival station purchasing <B>The Visitor</B>, like the way UPN saved <B>Roswell</B> & <B>Buffy</B> from cancellation?

[Emma (Emma)]

I watched "Pilot" today and would like to go a step further with Kefla's previous comments about the changes in Nadine's and Tyler's relationship. When I was watching I couldn't help speculating that Adam's influence in Tyler's life may have had a result farther down the road. Perhaps after Tyler's contact with Adam, he was spurred on to apply himself in school and then college. And perhaps he eventually became a person who had a profound effect on the future of the planet. <BR> <BR>Just letting my imagination have free rein here, <BR>Emma

[Tina (Trina)]

That is really very probable, Emma, I'd think. And it is really sad, that the show didn't get the chance to follow all those possible developments...

[myfriendscallmeelvis]

myfriendscallmeelvis handle <BR>heres a thunder clap kooking <BR>are you ready <BR>this came to me in a flash <BR>attention to all the 12.6 million fans and viewers <BR>of the visitor <BR>outt there and and on the web <BR>lets contact john corbett and the entire cast and <BR>crew and give them our support on producting a continuning the visitor series and make it the hotest series or movie show every week on television <BR>i proposed that this amount of viewers and world wide fans we could send them 13 dollars each <BR> <BR>from each fan or viewer and pay for the series new continuing each week supported by all us loyal fans and viewers <BR>this would be a milestone in the history how a bout it like oeta public television <BR>we could get john corbett and devlin and the rest of the crew to put up items that could be purchased by a donation the the visitor series <BR>thirteen episodes could be purchased for a donation to the new series for paying for costs <BR>of it <BR>if oeta can do it so can we the visitor fans <BR>and the 12.6 million viewers <BR>of this series <BR> we owe a lot to the great love and the time and <BR>efferty that was devoted to every one that <BR>contribed to the making of the john corbett fan <BR>site agent pat and the multitude of others that <BR>are super devoted fans and viewers <BR>agent pat can contact as many fans and viewers <BR>as possible and see what they all think of this idea <BR>also the cast and crew and producers and and all <BR>and mr john corbett and see what they think. <BR>if you are interested in supporting this <BR>and bringing back alive this series let me know <BR>the visitor <BR>fox 12.6 millon viewers can't be wrong <BR>shame on you for letting the series be canceled <BR>and shame on the scifi channel 54 for letting it be canceled one day after christmas and then all <BR>jan 2002 shows the visitor canceled <BR>sincerly new super the visitor fan <BR>richard davis <BR>myfriendscallmeelvis handle scifi channel <BR><A HREF="mailto:jil565@aol.com">jil565@aol.com</A> <BR>ps the the visitor pilot is the koolest on the planet earth and the complete 13 episodes keep you <BR>on the edge of your seat and the the not knowing <BR>whats gonna happen next that makes this show more <BR>exciting we owe to john an and the entire cast <BR>of the visitor to bring this show back

[And the Oscar goes to... (F_U_N_G_U_S)]

Have you read episode 14 yet?