What is it about crime procedurals that seem to do it for die-hard enthusiasts? Is it the conventional murder? Or is it the excitement of the investigation itself? Perchance it’s the banter between its grim leads. Whatever the explanation, I’ll never know hence the reason I was so inclined to check out the newest show added to Fox’s primetime lineup. Consider this my foray into investigative journalism.
A quirky spin-off of super-hit Bones, The Finder premiered last night with an episode that strived to be different from other stereotypical procedurals.
So, did it succeed?
Well, yes … and no. Different is the word when it comes to The Finder. Set in a lush, plush Florida city, it evokes the magic of USA’s Burn Notice (a show that I watch on a regular basis) but fails to live up to its charm. However, that’s not to say that the program was awful. On the contrary, it did have its moments. Within the first three minutes, viewers were introduced to protagonist Walter Sherman (Geoff Stults), a former military operative with a rather uncanny gift. After an explosion messed up his brain, Walter has become a bit obsessive compulsive when it comes to finding things, which, in turn, has transformed him into something of a brilliant investigator.
No gamma radiation. No radioactive spider. Just a typical, customary explosion. Hmm. I wonder if stuff like this really happens to people in real life. Alas, I have a feeling it’s only in TV land. Damn.
Aided by Leo Knox, (the effortlessly talented Michael Clarke Duncan) a burly bodyguard the size of an oak tree, and U.S. Marshal Isabel Zambada (the beautiful Mercedes Masohn), Walter is hired by a young man whose pilot father has seemed to have disappeared. Was he kidnapped? Was he murdered? Well, I’m afraid that’s up to Walter and Leo to find out. Nevertheless, we are taken on the ride.
There aren’t really any twists in the debut episode, but there are a few laughs. Sight gags involving Stults driving a motorcycle with an oversized Duncan in the cramped sidecar are humorous, and the banter between the two of them is quite amusing. However, my query is whether or not it’ll be enough.
Here’s my thing, folks … procedurals are a dime a dozen. Don’t believe me? Just look at CBS. In order to succeed, I think a show like The Finder has to set itself apart from the competition. Sadly, I don’t think the program really achieves this … at least not in its first episode. While the premise is actually rather intriguing, the series itself feels dead on arrival. Still, there were things to be celebrated. For instance, there is no mistaking the chemistry between the two leads, and Masohn is undoubtedly a nice piece of eye candy. It also doesn’t hurt that the setting is tropical. I also like the fact that the show doesn’t take itself too seriously. A little campiness never hurt anyone, and with as much serious fare on television these days, maybe a lighthearted crime show is a breath of fresh air. Needless to say, all of this is nice and dandy, but I just feel it needs more.
Fortunately, I’m a patient person. Perchance I’ll get more as the season progresses. If not, the only thing worth finding will be my remote.
Clacked by Jaylen Christie 
on Jan 13, 2012 @ 12:34 EST5EDT
If I remember correctly, Fox had passed on the show but because of Deschenel’s pregnancy they had a void in the schedule. Since it was from the same EP, Fox gave it a short order.
I wasn’t impressed with the episode within the Bone’s episode (back when) and I wasn’t impressed with this episode and I am a die-hard-procedural person.
Now, I didn’t see the Bones episode, but I did enjoy this one. It reminds me a bit of The Glades and Burn Notice all mixed into one. I like the characters a lot and how they interact with each other. I thought the whole John Fogerty thing was gold — very unique and hopefully a fun little gimmick we’ll see in every episode, or at least recurring like Castle’s poker games. That said, I’m with Jaylen — not sure if it’s enough to keep me watching regularly, though I will definitely try the next few episodes to see.
I found it enjoyable enough to pass the time, but I can’t say at this point if I’ll be in it for the long haul. The most disappointing thing about it is how it’s being billed as a “Bones” spin-off yet it has absolutely nothing to do with its parent other than being randomly slapped into an episode.
Call me old-fashioned, call me picky, call me Al, but I like my spin-offs to have at least a teensy connection to the original. This show could’ve easily been launched from nearly any procedural on TV considering the way it randomly popped out from “Bones.”
*POST AUTHOR*
Tom, you made a good point. It’s not really a spin-off per se, is it? It was just kinda launched within “Bones” to attract more viewers. Yawn. I’m a fan of spin-offs. My favorite one to date is ABC’s “Private Practice,” which definitely makes sure to tie into it parent show “Grey’s Anatomy” on a regular basis. Having a connection should be a must for any good spin-off. It seems no one made a mention of any of the “Bones” characters at all. Who knows? Maybe things will improve. It’s going to have to if it plans to stay on the air.
Some occasional help from one of the Bones characters would help a lot and shut up people like me who complain that it’s not a real spin-off. I could even see Sweets being a recurring guest who helps Walter out with his explosion/brain-magic issues. Maybe something along the lines of Sweets convincing Walter that his brain isn’t physically damaged and that it’s just a unique post-traumatic way his psyche has compensated for that incident.
Maybe that’s a crappy idea, but anything to say, “See? This really *is* a Bones-related show, folks!”
*POST AUTHOR*
LOL At least you have an idea! It’s a start. Hey, I just thought I’d share this with you… according to my TV Guide, David Boreanaz will be directing an episode of The Finder, and the character Hodgins will also guest star on a coming episode. Perhaps there’s a little light at the end of the tunnel for this spin-off.
Wow, that’s actually great news! Good to see some cross-over of characters. If they got the idea from my post I want compensation in the form of a set visit.
. . . . .
<——– wonders if anyone but him got the “call me Al” reference
I’m sure Betty did.
The show was better than the Bones episode test pilot, but that’s not saying much.
The ratings being 5.9 million and a 1.7 demo don’t give the show much a chance. Right now I don’t care, it will be fine filler until Bones comes back.