njmollo Eli Stone is a legal drama with divine inspirations. While the first season is enjoyable it soon becomes clear that the divine is simply a substitute for formula.The character of Eli is played by Jonny Lee Miller with doe-eyed insecurity. Miller does possess some acting talent and he can translate inner turmoil but what he is missing is a chemistry with any of the actors cast around him.The first realisation that this essential chemistry is missing is with the relationship between Eli and his legal secretary played by Loretta Devine. This relationship while intended to be mutually loving while disguised in bravado is totally unconvincing. This lack of chemistry continues with Eli's frosty relationship with Natasha Henstridge and the forced friendship between Eli and Dr. Frank Chen played by James Saito. The first season is intriguing because Eli's visions are unstable and the question often arises as to what is causing these visions besides a brain aneurysm. The penultimate episode of the first season establishes the fact that Eli is in fact receiving divine premonitions that he must then act upon. The earthquake in San Francisco is a validation of that Prophet status. One would assume, after such a miracle, that religious movements would be clamouring to claim him as their own. Eli Stone is perfect Prophet material because he is a white upwardly mobile lawyer rather than, say, a poor disenfranchised black.The final episode of Season One almost redacts the fact that Eli has saved so many lives by predicting an Earthquake. Few ever question if Eli's premonitions are in fact evidence of a divine power but rather continue to be ready not to heed his proved premonitions.Season 2 is a more formulaic and convoluted affair. The quality of the episodes do take a considerable nose-dive as the visions are rationalised as divine intervention. The series begins with Eli again using these visions to save lives but those closest to him continue to disbelief his premonitions in the face of compelling evidence. Soon a "Quantum Leap" approach becomes more frequent as Eli wakes up in the body of another to receive some message that he must then solve during the course of the episode. The acceptance that the divine is "directly" influencing peoples lives on earth through a miracle working prophet defeats the confusion within Eli and renders the show less intelligent or compelling. Could not the divine powers be battling over the control of Eli, so that sometimes he receives visions that are intended to destroy him or others?These constant visions do nothing to alter Eli's character. He is essentially the same as the Eli that appeared in episode one. Surely, Eli's wisdom and depth would have grown considerably with all this divine insight?Eli Stone as a legal TV show is beholden to David E. Kelley. Many of the cases are versions of ones already tried on The Practice or Boston Legal, such as Monkeys in love, young soldiers dying in Iraq or honour killings in Pakistan. What is clear from the writing in Eli Stone is the lack of wit and brilliance that Kelly so readily injects into his shows and characters.One unfortunate aspect of watching both seasons is seeing how the face of the beautiful Natasha Henstridge is altered by the use of cosmetic procedures. Some of these procedures only make the face less expressive and give the actor a look of being puffy and distorted. Please will actors stop this disturbing obsession and grow old gracefully along side your fans.Maybe the acknowledgement of God, rather than leaving the idea ambiguous, will alienate some of the audience while attracting others and so render Eli Stone the equivalent of Christian rock music.

ThatDoesntMatter Having watched all episodes belatedly, I can see why they canceled this show.It was nowhere in particular (except for some of the relationship story lines) and didn't seem to be going anywhere. It did not know what it wanted to be, characters behaving unbelievingly, more drama towards the end, the comedy off sometimes given the topic, no real commitment of the main character (to anything, really). Too many half-baked ideas and characters, only the acting was mostly well done (indeed :-))For me, it is probably too American, too moralistic, though, as an atheist, I could look over all the faith and god stuff most of the time because it was presented in a liberal way. The prophet thing was a bit much, I just can't see what having visions of the future necessarily has to do with god...hello??? Sometimes he could alter the future, sometimes not, sometimes it turned out totally differently, but Dad was always right? An insult to my intelligence a lot of the time. Why does he think his TV would crash for real?? Please! I mean, I like the underdog winning and putting up a flag for more compassion in law and business, but less sap would have done the job as well.And the acupuncture stunts were over the top, hey, I actually think it is good medicine, not a fast track to visions or revisiting memories...I like fiction, but not too much in one pot. It just didn't gel well...lol, though I actually do believe that vaccines can cause autism (among other things)...!!! And have done so long before this show - read up first, guys! Okay, the good things: I loved the acting (even Natascha Henstridge grew on me towards the end, in my opinion she has limited acting abilities - no offense-, plus she was miscast as the first love interest (either that or JLM was miscast, and that would be inconceivable - to quote a favourite movie of mine...:-)) Especially the brother relationship was great, and the Victor Garber character,plus Sam Jaeger and of course Loretta Divine (lol, the name...!) What is totally unconvincing is the not dealing with the fatal illness part...hello??? Big chance for realness lost there - I've got nothing against lightness, but that was just badly done ( no " ~ indeed!" here, totally different league where that quote comes from!:-)) Maybe I've seen too many really good shows, I dunno, this just did not deliver in all points - too many love interests for a dying guy, for some reason not going with the one that worked (and was fun!!!), too little explanations, too little communication (until the last episodes, yeah, but by then it was too late...), too little coherence in routes of action.Somebody asked if this is a religious show - I guess I would say so now, and I could have done without that, but maybe the sponsors at ABC couldn't? ;-)I liked watching it, got bored by too much god stuff (and too much George Michael), got annoyed at the missing structure, and am off to watch Emma again and revel in British accents!!!:-)))

rchandem Best show ever. For the likes of me who can't stand "Grey's Anatomy" and "Desperate Housewives", or even 2 episode its all I can take of "Lost" over hyped. Finally a show my girl and I can both agree on. Rumours are the show was canceled by ABC after 2 seasons. A shame as we were really getting into it. The characters the plots, we truly liked every single episode. We become so addicted that we almost watch season 2 on one Sunday alone. Character of Eli Stone is untouchable, but keep an eye on the secretary she is fire. The show can offer so much more. Please let there be Eli Stone Season 3. Watch it and you will not regret it.

gromit-17 I've never rated a TV show but every now and then, a special one came along that changed my perception of trashy network TV. I didn't watch this show when it was aired, I watched it on the DVD release, and to my own surprise, I finished the complete Season one! To my opinion, first half of the season one is among the best shows I've ever seen came out from Network and Cabled TV. They are even better than most movies I've seen nowadays, and with a better price: free. I liked the show because it has all the qualities are not generally found in a TV show: well written and acted, clever and touching at the same time, and it rings truth and did make one think after watching it. Yes, I noticed it's a little Alley Mcbealish and that lost some of my rating for originality, however, it offered more emotional depth. I can't see this is a show that can be aired for seasons. It's a show with quality, not quantity. I'd rather to see it end soon and remain as one of my favorites, instead of sliding back to the trashy network formula.