PILOT REVIEW: A Gifted Man

A GIFTED MAN

Starring: Patrick Wilson, Jennifer Ehle, Margo Martindale, Pablo Schreiber
Created by Susannah Grant
Written by Susannah Grant, Directed by Jonathan Demme

A Gifted Man is a new drama on CBS that's a mix between the medical genre and the supernatural genre. It has a bit of a gimmick to it but its actually one of the more well-crafted new dramas. It centers on rich and talented neurosurgeon Michael Holt (Patrick Wilson) who is visited by his dead ex-wife (Jennifer Ehle). Rounding out the cast is Holt's secretary (Margo Martindale) and a shaman (Pablo Schreiber) who tries to help Holt understand his visions.

THE GOOD: This is one of the stronger character dramas of the fall season so far. The acting is good and Patrick Wilson is a standout as Michael Holt. His balancing act between brilliant yet arrogant surgeon to the scared and confused man having visions is well acted. The stories in the pilot were good too - from the family in the clinic who Holt helps to the story about the tennis star. The obvious distinction between the two for Holt was well done as well. Another standout is recent Emmy winner Margo Martindale as Holt's harried secretary.

THE BAD: It's weird because the strengths of the pilot were set up by the story of a visiting dead ex-wife but that part was precisely the part that I didn't like. I don't know if it's the weirdness of the ghost story or the less than inspired performance from Jennifer Ehle, who's a weak link in an otherwise strong pilot. She just seemed somewhat bored in the role and didn't seem like a person who I would still want in my life after a "spiritual cleansing" (another weird part to the pilot). Although I really liked the pilot and Patrick Wilson, the fact that this is a major part of the plot has me worried for the long term strength of the series.

BOTTOM LINE: A Gifted Man is stronger than your average CBS drama from an acting and writing standpoint. In a season of good but not great shows and performances, Patrick Wilson is one of the best judging from the pilots. Yet I'm not sure if I'll stick with the show because I just don't really like the somewhat absurd plot. Let's get writing and acting like this in a better story!