Jumping on the success of NBC's 'Timeless', ABC has developed the period/science fiction drama, 'Time After Time'. The major difference between the two is 'Timeless' has its travelers journeying to different past historical events each week, whereas 'Time After Time' focused solely on H.G. Wells (Freddie Stroma) and Dr. John Stevenson/Jack the Ripper (Josh Bowman) traveling from 1893 England to present day Manhattan. And...this where I started having issues with the show.
Although the two men both seemed puzzled and perplexed seeing the inventions of the modern world, it was almost comical at the ease they adapted to present day life within a matter of minutes. For example, Stevenson readily finds a pawn shop where the proprietor is happy to give him $15K in cash for his 'antique' gold watch, which he immediately uses to buy designer clothes, expensive sunglasses, and check into a luxury hotel (without ID or credit card). Without lessons, neither man has a problem using a cell phone, an elevator, or even navigating the complex Manhattan streets. I think the plot would have been a little more intriguing had the men dealt with the awkwardness of modern day New York vs. Victorian England.
Whereas 'Timeless' could jump all over history due to its premise, 'Time After Time' locked itself into the Jack the Ripper storyline. I wasn't completely impressed with the first episode, but I did find Wells (Stroma) quite charming and more 'plausible' as a time traveler than Stevenson (Bowman) ~ perhaps because I can still picture him in another ABC show, 'Revenge'.
And who knows if the show would have gotten better, as it's been officially canceled by ABC. I guess it's time to return to 1893.
Although the two men both seemed puzzled and perplexed seeing the inventions of the modern world, it was almost comical at the ease they adapted to present day life within a matter of minutes. For example, Stevenson readily finds a pawn shop where the proprietor is happy to give him $15K in cash for his 'antique' gold watch, which he immediately uses to buy designer clothes, expensive sunglasses, and check into a luxury hotel (without ID or credit card). Without lessons, neither man has a problem using a cell phone, an elevator, or even navigating the complex Manhattan streets. I think the plot would have been a little more intriguing had the men dealt with the awkwardness of modern day New York vs. Victorian England.
Whereas 'Timeless' could jump all over history due to its premise, 'Time After Time' locked itself into the Jack the Ripper storyline. I wasn't completely impressed with the first episode, but I did find Wells (Stroma) quite charming and more 'plausible' as a time traveler than Stevenson (Bowman) ~ perhaps because I can still picture him in another ABC show, 'Revenge'.
And who knows if the show would have gotten better, as it's been officially canceled by ABC. I guess it's time to return to 1893.