I have a few new favorite shows this TV season but one of my
favorites is Forever (Tuesday on
ABC). Starring Ioan Gruffudd (Fantastic 4)
as a man who, basically, lives forever. Like the Highlander (TV show/movies) this affords the stories to be told
through current action and flashbacks as a man out of time who has to reconcile
such a long and difficult existence. In present day New York City, Gruffudd
plays Dr. Henry Morgan, an NYPD coroner who appears to have a keen sense of
what kills everyone that lies on the morgue tables. Henry has been a medical
doctor in previous “lifetimes” and uses his lifetime of knowledge to solve
crimes with his, crime fighting, partner Detective Jo Martinez played by Alana
De La Garza (Law & Order). The cast
is completed with other steady working actors that bring their strong acting to
the show like Judd Hirsch, Joel David Moore (Bones), Lorraine Toussaint (Orange is the New Black) and Donnie
Keshawarz (Damages). The
premise seems formulated at best but the ensemble of actors created and the
clever flashbacks make Forever a
worthwhile viewing pursuit.
Gruffudd carries the show and is well flanked by Hirsch who
plays Henry’s adopted son, Abraham. They have an amazing chemistry that even
though the age difference has the appearance of the opposite relationship, it
is clear to see Abraham’s love and protection of the man that raised him. Abraham
was found by Henry and his, then wife, at the liberation of a Nazi
Concentration Camp. Henry and his wife raised Abraham as their own with no
secrets being kept about Henry’s past. There are many flashbacks to many
aspects of Henry’s life including the late 1800s, 1920s, WWII, 1950s, Vietnam,
etc. as well as a poignant episode of Henry’s wife, in the 1970s, appearing to
be old enough to be his mother. The flashbacks are cleverly done and not
overdone or predictable. Sometimes the present day “who done it” is easy to
figure out but that’s not why I watch the show. I enjoy Henry.
Gruffudd is one of those actors that should have a show of
his own and this is the perfect vehicle. He is best known for his bursting
through our TVs as Horatio Hornblower in the BBC mini-series of the same name and
even though he has steadily worked he is not a big star. I think the problem is
that he works too well in every part he takes on. Gruffudd owns any character
he plays no matter how small. His small role in Titanic is as memorable as his portrayal as Mr. Fantastic in the Fantastic 4 franchise. One could say he
is a chameleon but I would rather call it – acting. His portrayal of Lancelot
in King Arthur is so seamless that I
completely forgot he was in it. I suppose that doesn’t seem like a compliment
but it is. His passion in the role hijacked the Clive Owen vehicle and is the
best part of the movie. I believe a good actor makes you believe the part he or
she is playing but a great actor makes you believe he isn’t acting at all.
Gruffudd is that actor.
I don’t know if Forever
has been renewed but there unanswered questions about Henry Morgan that need to
be addressed. I need them to be addressed and need to see more of Gruffudd do
what he does so well.
