Pretender was similar to John Doe. The main character, Jarod (played by Michael T. Weiss) had the ability to blend into different identities and professions. He would research medicine for a few days and would then be able to perform operation. He picked up skills and mannerisms very quickly, like a human chameleon.
A criminal organisation had kidnapped him as a child and experimented on him, training him to be a human simulator, using him to plan assassinations, sabotage or save apollo 13.
He manages to escape and goes looking for his family, about which he knows almost nothing, but the organisation tries to capture him again. During his travels he helps other people in need by pretending to be a doctor, an FBI agent, a military officer etc.
Secondary characters are Sidney, the fatherly pychiatrist who did some of the experiments on him but who also cares for him. Miss Parker, who works for the organization (she too has family issues, as her Dad runs the organization - she also tries to investigate the death of her mother which is linked to young Jarod's fate). Miss Parker is supposed to hunt Jarod down. Then there's Brutes, the geeky computer expert, a friendly if awkward personality who is loyal to Sidney rather than the organisation.
Sidney, Miss Parker and Brutes are the hunters, Jarod is the prey. As the show progresses many secrets are unearthed. An episode was usually made up of 90% plot-of-the-week and 10% arc story.
Miss Parker was played by Andrea Parker, who is played a lawyer in JAG. Sidney was played by Patrick Bauchau, who played a role in Kindred.
It was a pleasant show. Because Jarod spent most of his life in a lab he tackles life with great hunger and child-like innocence and charme. He relishes eating his first donut, flying.
The show was cancelled after several (3?) seasons. Afterwards two longer TV films were made but I found those confusing. That may have worked with Alien Nation but IMHO not in this case.
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timeasmymeasure
Pretender
Date: 2003-03-20 12:02 am (UTC)The main character, Jarod (played by Michael T. Weiss) had the ability to blend into different identities and professions. He would research medicine for a few days and would then be able to perform operation. He picked up skills and mannerisms very quickly, like a human chameleon.
A criminal organisation had kidnapped him as a child and experimented on him, training him to be a human simulator, using him to plan assassinations, sabotage or save apollo 13.
He manages to escape and goes looking for his family, about which he knows almost nothing, but the organisation tries to capture him again. During his travels he helps other people in need by pretending to be a doctor, an FBI agent, a military officer etc.
Secondary characters are Sidney, the fatherly pychiatrist who did some of the experiments on him but who also cares for him. Miss Parker, who works for the organization (she too has family issues, as her Dad runs the organization - she also tries to investigate the death of her mother which is linked to young Jarod's fate). Miss Parker is supposed to hunt Jarod down. Then there's Brutes, the geeky computer expert, a friendly if awkward personality who is loyal to Sidney rather than the organisation.
Sidney, Miss Parker and Brutes are the hunters, Jarod is the prey. As the show progresses many secrets are unearthed. An episode was usually made up of 90% plot-of-the-week and 10% arc story.
Miss Parker was played by Andrea Parker, who is played a lawyer in JAG. Sidney was played by Patrick Bauchau, who played a role in Kindred.
It was a pleasant show. Because Jarod spent most of his life in a lab he tackles life with great hunger and child-like innocence and charme. He relishes eating his first donut, flying.
The show was cancelled after several (3?) seasons. Afterwards two longer TV films were made but I found those confusing. That may have worked with Alien Nation but IMHO not in this case.