# Limitless - the TV show **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 6, 2015, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/limitless-the-tv-show/727156 "2015-08-06T14:27:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![BeepKillBeep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9e8a1a/32.png) [@BeepKillBeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeepKillBeep)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2015, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/limitless-the-tv-show/727156/61 "2015-10-29T18:59:41Z")
> [@amarinth](#): > > Reading this thread, I guess I am alone. While I like the main characters and I like the crime-of-the-week part of the show, I’ve got no interest in the conspiracy theory, bigger picture part. I’d be more than happy if they just dropped it and went to Brian solving the crime of the week every week. I realize of course that it is subjective but I couldn’t disagree more. What I like about this show is that it isn’t just another crime of the week. In fact, what I like is that in the past couple of episodes the crime has been either the lesser story or non-existent. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2015, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/limitless-the-tv-show/727156/62 "2015-10-30T02:20:47Z")
Morra’s motivation needs some clarification, i.e. the reason he’s indulging Brian at all (as opposed to any of thousands of people he could give NZT to who are _already_ in useful positions in government or law enforcement) is that Brian is one of very few people who can safely take NZT even _with_ the occasional immunity shot. Morra could have found this out while checking Brian’s father’s medical records and the same genetic defect that causes haemochromatosis makes it possible to take NZT etc. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2015, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/limitless-the-tv-show/727156/63 "2015-11-03T16:55:27Z")
I’m still watching, but it’s mostly a letdown after the movie (which I liked very much indeed). Brian’s rooftop meeting with Morra was a disappointment. Paraphrase: Morra: “I want you to be my partner.” Brian: “After you threatened my family and my girlfriend, had me steal secret documents that could get me sent to prison, and nearly let me die?” Morra: “Yeah, sure, but I’m working on such _really_ nifty save-the-world stuff, just never mind all that.” Brian: “Oh, OK. We’re cool, then, bro.” I also agree that Brian isn’t being nearly proactive enough in trying to break his dependence on NZT, or to neutralize Sands (who I thought, before Morra mentioned him by name, might not actually be Morra’s minion but was instead running a false-flag operation) or get some leverage over Morra. I don’t mind ambiguities and mysteries (if eventually explained); I _hate_ needless implausibilities, and characters who have to act stoopid in order to advance the plot. And now Sands has killed the hiding scientist with a letter bomb. More blood on Morra’s hands? Ugh. ---
**Author:** ![TBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@TBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TBG)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2015, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/limitless-the-tv-show/727156/64 "2015-11-05T00:21:11Z")
I like that the show doesn’t take itself seriously all the time and isn’t afraid to just have fun stuff happen. Like the Ferris Bueller inspired episode that just ran. That was all sorts of fun to watch. Did the movie have any of that sort of tone to it? From the trailers I get the impression that it didn’t but sometimes trailers have been known to not accurately represent the movie in question (shocking, I know). ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2015, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/limitless-the-tv-show/727156/65 "2015-11-06T22:26:44Z")
The movie certainly had some darkly funny bits (esp. the package marked “Hand Delivery”), and was occasionally tongue-in-cheek, but was mostly serious. Definitely worth seeing! The latest episode was OK, I guess. Just not all that great IMHO. The _Ferris Bueller_ homage aspect of it fell flat for me. Turns out Skeletonwitch really is a group: [Skeletonwitch - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skeletonwitch) And pokeweed really isn’t good for you: [Phytolacca americana - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pokeweed#Toxicity.2C_poisoning.2C_and_mortality) And that Penna. wilderness area really does exist: [Allegheny Islands Wilderness - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allegheny_Islands_Wilderness) ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2015, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/limitless-the-tv-show/727156/66 "2015-11-12T21:29:09Z")
So Naz, the boss, is dragged off and held without counsel under the NDAA, and temporarily replaced by that smarmy lawyer from _The Practice_ (or was it _Boston Legal_?). Not the worst episode, but not the best. Some nice sparks between the boss’s daughter and Brian, I guess. Have they ever said what “CJC” (the New York FBI office) stands for? Can’t find it online. Of course I’m surprised that the _Schoolgirl Reaper_ pinball game didn’t end up in every arcade in the world… ---
**Author:** ![BeepKillBeep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9e8a1a/32.png) [@BeepKillBeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeepKillBeep)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2015, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/limitless-the-tv-show/727156/67 "2015-11-12T22:47:14Z")
I liked last night’s episode, although it wasn’t the best episode ever. I like they have micro evolution to the bit characters. Ike wasn’t a big fan of Brian early on, but now he goofs around with him (with Mike and Ike’s no less). This seems very real to me. The show doesn’t need it, but it adds to the atmosphere and makes the characters believable and likable. I really hope it gets renews. Blindspot recently got renewed. Its rating are much higher than Limitless, but still I’m hoping for some good news sometime soon. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2015, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/limitless-the-tv-show/727156/68 "2015-11-13T03:43:49Z")
Much as I loved the movie, the TV show has been a letdown. I wouldn’t shed any tears if it wasn’t renewed. ---
**Author:** ![epbrown01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7ba0ec/32.png) [@epbrown01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/epbrown01)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2015, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/limitless-the-tv-show/727156/69 "2015-11-18T13:48:46Z")
Last night’s was fun, though I saw the Greenland ending coming a mile away and didn’t like the resolution with the father. In real life you have to accept you don’t get to know everything about your kids, especially after they’re adults. Someone in his 60s or 79s pouting to this extent is just nuts. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2015, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/limitless-the-tv-show/727156/70 "2015-11-18T17:37:45Z")
I dunno, some parents are just like that. I’m a little surprised that Finch would tell him about NZT, though. This was a better episode than the _Ferris Beuller_ one, I thought. I wasn’t crazy about the pestering-Naz montage which opened the show, but the Ten Most Wanted project was good fun. Nice shoutout to _The Abyss_ with Finch doing CPR on Naz by the pool. Best line: “I’m not pink, am I?” But why “the Bruntouchables” as a group name? ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2015, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/limitless-the-tv-show/727156/71 "2015-11-18T17:41:35Z")
And hey, that’s Blair Brown (_Altered States, Fringe_) as Finch’s mom! ---
**Author:** ![epbrown01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7ba0ec/32.png) [@epbrown01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/epbrown01)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2015, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/limitless-the-tv-show/727156/72 "2015-11-18T17:57:10Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > But why “the Bruntouchables” as a group name? Portmanteau of Brian and Untouchables. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2015, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/limitless-the-tv-show/727156/73 "2015-11-28T05:49:27Z")
Ugh. That’s bad. Well, the last episode of this season has aired. Not bad - Finch helps figure out why advanced prosthetic arms are going wonky. Favorite moments: Brian is advised by a hacker named AndrewJackson’sGoiter, and the FBI sends mass quantities of bacon and vibrators to get a fugitive deported from the UAE. Less favorite moments: Finch’s dad warns/threatens Naz (yeah, _that’ll_ turn out well), and Brian uses a jet pack to run along the street. Riiiiight. ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2015, 7:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/limitless-the-tv-show/727156/74 "2015-11-28T07:39:50Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > Well, the last episode of this season has aired. CBS gave them a full season order. They should have another 10-12 episodes to go before the end of the season. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2015, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/limitless-the-tv-show/727156/75 "2015-11-28T15:20:00Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > Less favorite moments: Finch’s dad warns/threatens Naz (yeah, _that’ll_ turn out well), and Brian uses a jet pack to run along the street. Riiiiight. Yeah, the jetpack test was silly. It might allow him to use skates to move really fast but how does it improve the speed at which he can run? And what happens in the city when he comes to an intersection, and the DONT WALK sign is lit? ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2015, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/limitless-the-tv-show/727156/76 "2015-11-28T16:10:35Z")
> [@amarinth](#): > > CBS gave them a full season order. They should have another 10-12 episodes to go before the end of the season. And there should be a new one on tomorrow night, before the winter break, no? Some episodes are better than others, but it’s still my favorite new network series this year. It’s a lot of fun if you go with it, and I’m glad the writers are infusing it with some fun. Far better than Blindspot, IMHO. ---
**Author:** ![Lightnin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightnin/32/180_2.png) [@Lightnin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightnin)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2015, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/limitless-the-tv-show/727156/77 "2015-11-28T16:35:31Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Yeah, the jetpack test was silly. It might allow him to use skates to move really fast but how does it improve the speed at which he can run? Apparently it can “shave seconds” off of a running time. [Yep, that jetpack’s a real thing that DARPA’s working on](http://www.engadget.com/2014/09/13/darpa-jetpack-soldiers-runner/). I squeed a bit when I saw it in the lab during the show. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2015, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/limitless-the-tv-show/727156/78 "2015-11-28T19:53:57Z")
> **[Limitless (TV series)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limitless_(TV_series))** > > Limitless is an American comedy-drama television series that aired on CBS for one season from 2015 to 2016. It is a spin-off of the 2011 film Limitless, and takes place four years after the movie's events. The series stars Jake McDorman as Brian Finch, who discovers a mysterious nootropic drug NZT-48, which unlocks the full potential of the human brain and gives its user enhanced mental faculties. > Limitless premiered on CBS on September 22, 2015 to mixed reviews from critics. After a single 22... Wiki shows no new episodes anytime soon. Maybe there’ll be a hiatus of weeks or months? ---
**Author:** ![Snooooopy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Snooooopy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snooooopy)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2015, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/limitless-the-tv-show/727156/79 "2015-11-30T18:18:18Z")
I caught a few minutes of this at the gym the other night. I did rather enjoy the part where he explains how much more BORING hacking is than what is usually depicted on television, although his complete unawareness of the concept of hacking was a little hard to swallow (assuming it hadn’t been established at some point why it would make sense). I can’t say that it hooked me, but it didn’t exactly put me off, either. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2016, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/limitless-the-tv-show/727156/80 "2016-01-10T22:05:49Z")
Just realized the show has resumed. Saw “The Assassination of Eddie Morra” on DVR and was underwhelmed. I still don’t like Morra having become an utterly amoral power-hungry politician - at least in the movie he had some scruples. Not sure I’ll keep watching. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/limitless-the-tv-show/727156.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/limitless-the-tv-show/727156.md?page=5)