ABC's MIND GAMES Debuts

keri — Wed, 26 Feb 2014 11:00:24 GMT

WARNING: DO NOT READ IF YOU HAVEN'T YET WATCHED THE SHOW!!!!
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Ugh! As I forced myself to stay with this past the first commercial break, all I could think of was the shows from which Mind Games blatantly stole key elements of plot/character: Monk; Perception; Mission: Impossible; Leverage; Franklin and Bash. The main difference is that all of those shows were original and innovative, while this mish-mosh plumbs new depths of horrendous and hackneyed.

According to IMDb.com, "Mind Games centers on the complicated relationship between the Edwards brothers: Clark (Steve Zahn), a bipolar genius in human psychology, and Ross (Christian Slater), a slick ex-con, who solve their clients' problems using the real science of human motivation and manipulation."

This show won't make you want to change your mind, but it will make you want to change the channel.

Perhaps the best thing that can be said about Mind Games is that Christian Slater is no longer channeling Jack Nicholson, a vocal impersonation he affected for most of his early career. There's nothing good to be said about Steve Zahn's manic mess of a character. It's disconcerting and exhausting to behold as he chews the scenery and his wildly contorted, unshaven face in tight close-ups is excruciating to behold. I thought I detested the Eric McCormack character in Perception, but Zahn makes me want to send Valentines to Daniel Pierce.

The supporting cast, a cadre of cliches, consists of several no-name, nondescript, stereotypical and forgettable nerds. Also along for the ride is the ubiquitous "hot chick," a long-suffering ex-wife and a soon-to-be-long-suffering ex-girlfriend. These are all actors pulled from the periphery of oblivion to form this ensemble and hopefully destined to return there quickly.

Regarding the plot of this first (and I hope last installment) - while the goal was admirable - forcing a heartless, by-the-book insurance company executive to approve a life-saving, but experimental, procedure for a teen, the Mind Games team's strategy is complex and the tactics are completely illegal and unethical. It's blackmail, pure and simple.

How this monstrosity got the green light remains a mystery. It must've involved Jedi mind tricks, hypnosis and psychedelic drugs.

ABC notoriously cancelled Lucky 7 and The Assets after only two weeks. Horrible Mind Games deserves to be terminated in less than two weeks. In fact, it should be GBF: Gone By Friday. If the Alphabet Network has any sense of honor and justice, it'll pink-slip Mind Games right now and neither allow it assault the senses of the audience, nor blight the landscape of prime time television for another week. Truth be told, the plug should have been pulled during the first commercial break. A test pattern would've been more entertaining for the remaining 45 minutes.

Re: ABC's MIND GAMES Debuts

game-on — Wed, 26 Feb 2014 18:37:27 GMT

keri.... I cant stand steve zahn.... so I didn't even want to see this.... glad I didn't...

Re: ABC's MIND GAMES Debuts

keri — Wed, 26 Feb 2014 19:26:14 GMT

I'd never heard of Steve Zahn and now wish I'd never seen him. Christian Slater is a fairly decent actor who deserves far better material. The MG premise seemed unique and so I thought I'd sample it. They owe me an hour of my life.

Re: ABC's MIND GAMES Debuts

LoveShelties — Wed, 26 Feb 2014 19:33:13 GMT

keri , Thanks for saving me an hour of my precious time. I was watching Person of Interest last night so I was thinking of watching Mind Games today, I like Christian Slater but I won't bother watching.

Re: ABC's MIND GAMES Debuts

Marsha2003 — Wed, 26 Feb 2014 20:11:29 GMT

I couldn't decide whether to watch or not. Thanks for saving me that 43 minutes. I do like Christian Slater. I wish he could find a vehicle that works.

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ABC's MIND GAMES Debuts

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