Scorpion (CBS) US Pace [** Spoilers **]

Agent Coulson

A new Show from CBS based on a real life Irish genius.

39-year old Walter grew up near Enniscorthy in the model country before moving to Co. Kilkenny and then across the pond to America. When there, he set up Scorpion Computer Services, specialising in international security, and was instrumental in tracking down the Boston bombers back in 2013. He is currently considered the fourth most intelligent person in the world with an IQ of 197 (Einstein had 165).

http://entertainment.ie/tv/news/Watch-Real-life-Irish-genius-is-inspiration-for-new-US-TV-series-and-it-looks-deadly/278457.htm

_Kaiser_

That does look pretty cool - Fall 2014?

Agent Coulson

_Kaiser_ wrote: »

That does look pretty cool - Fall 2014?

September 22.

Mr E

Autumn, dammit.

Fall my arse!

MargeS

That looks like one whole episode in 4 minutes! So it looks contrived and down right impossible (sooo Hollywood).
They happen to end up in a restaurant where there is a misunderstood genius kid.
Though I'll probably watch it...:)

somesoldiers

will look forward to this, though I never heard of him til now!

CastorTroy

MargeS wrote: »

That looks like one whole episode in 4 minutes!

Seems to be the same for all trailers for new series. they have the entire pilot in the 2-4 minute trailer. Sure I watched the trailer for Selfie (since Karen Gillan is in it) and comes across as an entire series.

I may chcek this out for a couple episodes at least. Trying to start as few new series as possible and already have Constantine, Gotham and the Flash

somesoldiers

Walter O'Brien is going to be on the D'Arcy show shortly!!

aine1980

Looks good, will definitely watch a few eps to see if it's worth adding to the schedule

mafaa

SCORPION SCOOP: Robert Patrick, Katharine McPhee and Elyes Gabel Preview their New CBS Series

don ramo

now there is a show that cancellation written all over it, i give it 6 episodes before it pulled, if it was on a cable channel like FX or TNT it would fit in perfectly, but i cant honestly see this gaining anything near a worthwhile audience on CBS,

squonk

Yup. Sadly it looks like the new Intelligence

mafaa

CBS's ‘Scorpion’ Cast and Producers Discuss the Agony of Genius

mafaa

‘Scorpion’ Star Katharine McPhee on Jumping From ‘Smash’ to Dodging Bombs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ts26UVfcVMA

‘Scorpion’ EP Scooter Braun Talks Geniuses, Creative Motto: ‘What Cool Sh-t Can We Do Today?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbubvPOMKiw

mafaa

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbB-Tcf4lSE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2UqzYs-0XM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwdO3JhZpY8

Agent Coulson

A fun pilot but nothing really original.

I see it as a kind of Big Bang Theory set in save the world FBI type procedural.

The smartest people in the world helping to save it but but they have no social skills.

MargeS

I thought this wasn't starting until October 22nd?

somesoldiers

Nope already started, going to watch tonight

Mr E

Dumber than a box of rocks (I appreciate the irony), but it has an energy that's infectious and it was great fun.

Plus Katharine McPhee.... yikes.

squonk

Just watched the pilot. Has cancelation written all over it I think. For a show that touts the IQs of the main cast it surprised me that nobody thought to pull a network cable to prevent the backup rather than an elaborate overload of the circuit to the data center security system. Next, none of our geniuses could transport a HD safely leading to a, frankly, plain daft hook up between a Ferrari and an unfeasably low flying passenger aircraft. Michael Bay must be rolling on the floor laughing at this stage. His movies now look like master classes in filmmaking after that. This isn't so much turn your brain off TV as lobotomies yourself TV. Only with a chunk of your brain removed could this be good!

Gingervitis

Hilariously bad.

Tango One

Horrible pilot nothing that would make me give it a second chance.

JP Liz V1

Is the guy from Casualty who looks Indian playing the Irish lead?

Agent Coulson

JP Liz V1 wrote: »

Is the guy from Casualty who looks Indian playing the Irish lead?

Yes

Have this to watch and hoping that at the very least its a but of disposable dumb fun, the trailer I saw for it was woeful and seemed like the show wasn't quite sure what it wanted to be. With all the new shows that are starting as well as the fact that I've finally started watching Fringe and Nikita, it'll be hard to justify this if it's as poor as most are saying.

squonk

Well put it this way, I'll give it a few more episodes. It's kind of flashy and exciting but that's it. I think it's like binging on junk food. It's enjoyable enough at the time even though you know you really shouldn't and afterwards you really wonder what you were thinking!

If they don't up the standard pretty soon then I'll probably bow out. The show seems even more stupid this morning now I've digested it than it did just after watching. It's like they asked a 5 year old for set pieces he thought would be cool and just went with those! I was much more hopeful. I wasn't expecting it to be particularly great so I had no major expectations but it just turned out worse than I could have even expected!

Nody

I'll give it two more episodes but if the pilot is suppose to get my attention they utterly failed...

_Kaiser_

I think ye are all missing the point really.

It's not meant to make you think - it's a fast-paced, dumb, action comedy with a quirky hook... on those levels it achieves what it sets out to.

Personally, while I like shows like Boardwalk Empire, The Shield, The Sopranos etc as well, I quite enjoyed it as a leave your brain at the door piece of escapism - it'll fill that "Last Ship" gap nicely I think.

sioda

Episode 2 again not rocket science either but have to say defo fills a gap in my watching that Intelligence filled last year.

Plus will give anything with Robert Patrick a whirl.

Mr E

I liked it too. I wonder if the science behind the aerosol/sprinklers at the end was realistic?

Only watched the first episode but enjoyed it for the easy to watch, throw away trash that it is. It's not a show that does anything original, the characters are all walking talking clichés and the script relies more on flashy imagery than anything else and yet it remains strangely entertaining. I'll no doubt stick with this for a few weeks as I'm going through a hard time at the minute and in need of something a little light.

Nody

I'm giving it one more episode but where's the "international terrorist" part?

squonk

Episode 2 was an improvement but that's like saying the milk in your cornflakes is a little less sour this morning than yesterday morning. Still fairly dumb but not as stupidly flashy as the pilot. I wish they'd drop the Ireland based stuff now. There's only so much American actors doing bad Irish accents I can take. I think it's an insult to compare this to Intelligence. Intelligence was dumb science fiction but I never really got he sense it took itself very seriously and didn't try to hammer home any particular points. This show however does so I judge it quite differently. I'll stay in for a while longer, heck I might last the season if they get an arc going or something. It's forgettable enough but I think my hatred for the show will grow as it goes on. I still think they'll only get a season out of this.

pooch90

OK, actually quite liked episode one and was looking forward to two, which we watched last night.
Bloody awful!!!
They start out in a classroom in Callan KK in 1994 with a 1950s teacher patrolling the top of the class and then goes to cane Walter, in 1994????Are u sh1tting me? Also, the kids in the class were about 14 and he was asking a division question about whole numbers, Walter divided it to two decimal places. It wouild be impressive in 3rd class but that must have been the remedial class or something he was in. Not even trying to look anyway real.
So insulting, not to mention the awful accents!

Spon Farmer

squonk wrote: »

Yup. Sadly it looks like the new Intelligence

No, it isn't THAT good :P

Alfred Borden

This has been absolutely dire imo and one I am dropping. Surprised it got a series pickup but if it gets a second season I have no faith in CBS.

Agent Coulson

Fun liitle cameo from NCIS LA's Hetty in this today's episode.

I like it as just a fun popcorn show.

Watching the second episide and really enjoying it. This isn't a show to challenge viewers, it's a bit of light hearted fluff that exists simply to entertain. It's not ever going to considered great tv but honestly, it's the kind if show I'd like to see more of. It fills that void for when you want something easy to put on and veg out to and Robert Patrick is just an absolute joy to watch in anything.

After watching the latest episode of Sons of Anarchy this evening I was struck by just how cruel the show was. It seems to exist simply to showcase vile and inhumane acts and its wearisome. It's simply not enjoyable and is a slog to get through. Scorpion is the opposite in every concur able way and just works. I found the characters and their demons far more relatable and touching than anything in Sons in a long, long time.

Watched episide 3 earlier this week and it really was just a nice little 42 minutes of TV that doesn't ask much more than for you to enjoy it. Having a pretty crappy day today so decided to watch the latest episode of The League which wasn't all that life affirming or fun so decided to throw on episode four if Scorpion. Hoping that it'll cheer me up a little and just be some fun.

Honestly think that this may be the best new show of the year thus far, now don't get me wrong it's not a great show or one which will ever be compared to the likes of The Wire but at the same time it's not trying to be. It's just a fun show with likeable characters, some interesting and fun stories and a sense that the whole thing is being made simply to entertain. It's perfect afternoon TV, the kind of thing that goes brilliantly with a cup of tea and the dark winter afternoons.

paleoperson

I think intelligence really doesn't work the way a lot of these "high IQ" types really wish it worked.

IQ and standardized tests were initially devised as a way to split schoolchildren into different classes, something it performed pretty well in. I have no doubt that Walter O' Brien would have been capable for the top class in his neighbourhood at the time of testing. Other than that I would say average intelligence at most.

Up to date with this and I've really enjoyed what I've seen. Ias I said before it's a simple show that exists simply to entertain and is perfect after a long day. Much like The Finder, Scorpion is a show that I watched at a time in my life when things turned to crap and that may play a part in why I warmed to it so easily. There's times in your life when all you want is a distraction and I found one with the show. That it has likeable characters whom you can easily warm to is a no us. It's not the most striking of shows and is decidedly old fashioned in how it's told and a the better for it.

jmcc

paleoperson wrote: »

I think intelligence really doesn't work the way a lot of these "high IQ" types really wish it worked.

IQ and standardized tests were initially devised as a way to split schoolchildren into different classes, something it performed pretty well in. I have no doubt that Walter O' Brien would have been capable for the top class in his neighbourhood at the time of testing. Other than that I would say average intelligence at most.

Saw an episode (the "bio-hacking" one on ITV2). O'Brien's bio has too many holes in it and the IQ thing, and a lot of other claims, do not really stand up to analysis (claimed that it was a teacher who "diagnosed his high IQ when he was nine and the NASA hacking thing sounds exactly like an embellished hacker war story but with some technologically incorrect facts added). It is very fluffy, cliche drenched, escapism with a few Tech/Science buzzwords and concepts. You'd almost expect Jennifer Anniston to pop and say "here's comes the science bit". I suppose some people will like it. There have been worse shows.

Regards...jmcc

bnt

I think it's improving, with an increased focus on character development and team dynamics. (Funny that Hetty from NCIS LA popped up: I tried watching that show, she was the only interesting character while the rest were straight out of Central Casting.) The comparisons with The Big Bang Theory work up to a point.

I probably shouldn't feel good about my ability to spot plot directions well in advance.

When the car blew up, I knew straight away that the painting in the car would be the fake, and since the original's rightful owner was mentioned up front...

but I don't mind, since it makes for "feelgood" TV.

Catching up with recent episodes and just after finishing up episide 9 which was just a wonderful 42 minutes. The story was familiar and not all that exciting but it was secondary to the character development. Cabe was the star of the week and had a number of really touching moments, his relationship with Walter is nicely coming into its own and the final scene was perfect. With so many shows going for dark and gritty there's a lot to be said about a show that's light and fluffy.

Mr E

Another fantastic 42 minutes this week too - this show is really hitting its stride. I was on the edge of my seat for most of it, and they even threw in some decent character development for good measure.

Agent Coulson

Great episdoe and a perfect Christmas one I am really enjoying this and glad it got a full season order.


Katharine McPhee I shall say no more.

I said it already but this is the show of the year, it's not big or clever or hip or adult or groundbreaking in any way but each week it provides 42 minutes of nothing but entertainment and manages to delve into a number of weighty themes and issues. They made an episode about a boy trapped in a well and it's amongst the most gripping 42 minutes you'll see all year. The relationships between the characters is what really sells the show, there's a real humanity and honestness to each that's impossible not to warm to. Of all the shows this year this is one that I hope to see live a long life.

_Kaiser_

Just caught up with the latest episode - absolutely fantastic and the best of the season so far IMO

syklops

You guys must be watching a different program to me.

jmcc

syklops wrote: »

You guys must be watching a different program to me.

Very Walter Mittyish back story on O'Brien. That NASA hacking story does not stack up. He claims to have done it when 13 years old but that would put it at around 1988. The computer that he was using was apparently an ordinary retail job (Amstrad 464, I think) rather than a PC. That would have required an RS232 interface and external modem.

He claimed to have hacked NASA to get drawings (schematics) of the Shuttle so that he could print them out on for his bedroom wall. Schematics are generally CAD files and the file format is typically linked to the CAD software in use. Big flaw right there for anyone who knows anything about design work. Now here's the killer: the size of the CAD files.

The telephone connectivity in 1980s Ireland was patchy at best. The modems at the time would have been 300 Baud, 1200/75 Baud or for the really fast and expensive ones, 2400 Baud. (There were some "fast" ones that did 9600 Baud but they were rare.) Even with compression and a clean line, it would take up to an hour to download a few hundred kilobyte file. And even in the 1990s, going into the US on a dial-up line was not very reliable. The bandwidth would often fluctuate and disconnects were common and the phone bills were painful.

The other aspect of printing was that laser printers were quite rare and expensive devices in the 1980s. The most common printers were dot matrix printers. While they were available, they were often the same price, (or more) as the computer.

That scene with the special forces team raiding the house - it is a copy of the opening of that 1990s movie "Hackers".

Interestingly, there were hacks on NASA (and other) servers in the late 1980s. Cliff Stoll wrote about tracking one group in The Cuckoo's Egg. ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Cuckoo%27s_Egg ). The hacks were executed via Packet Switched Network access rather than ordinary dial-up. O'Brien was not one of this group. The real history is far more fascinating.

The one thing that is really false about the whole series is its treatment of genius. The more intelligent a person is, the harder they try to appear "normal". It is the people who really are not geniuses who try so very hard to be different.

Regards...jmcc