I like to think I have grown past my "watching-television-series-on-DVD-is-the-greatest-thing" stage. Because most of the time, it's true. I was swept away by THE WIRE, ran out of steam on DEXTER and MAD MEN, never really was into THE SOPRANOS and am still on board with BREAKING BAD, but really, what else is there? Watching series is insanely time-consuming and one should stay away from it if he doesn't want to see life pass him by. But then, the move came up and Josie and I were left scrambling to find a way to mute the inner anguish that's often associated with such a bold life move. Then* LIE TO ME came and stole both of our souls.
Six weeks later, we emerged from 48-episodes coma with a smile and a lot to think about. LIE TO ME was anything but perfect, but I'll be damned if it didn't feature one of the most complex, dynamic and lovable characters of all-time. The series has been cancelled by FOX last Spring after running for three seasons. I can't say I'm surprised that it was, because it's a series that has been run into the fucking ground by an absurdly long season two, but it was its potential, shining through its flaws, that made it such an enthralling experience. Let's take a closer look at what LIE TO ME did right and to what it did wrong.
Right - Dr. Cal Lightman. A violent nature, yet an intellectual. Oozing with libido and yet a responsible father. A successful business owner and yet a thug at heart. Confrontational and yet such a loving man. You get my point. Cal Lightman is one of the most beautifully flawed, conflicted and layered characters I was given the joy to watch/read in recent years. Writer Samuel Baum understand that conflict is about clashing details in one's personality and not necessarily about confrontation. Lightman is the star of the show and carries its interest on his shoulders. It also helps that he's brilliantly portrayed by Tim Roth.
Wrong - Eli Loker. Here's a character that never took off, so he was stored in the background as a borderline utilitarian role. The most painful parts is whenever he has the start of a storyline, only to see it die a stillborn in the following episode. He has a romance with Torres, which ends after one night. He's looking for another job, because he hates Lightman** but he never leaves. He never shuts up (presumably due to contractual issues. On TV, you're paid more if you have a talking part), so he's constantly handling the small potatoes and more technical aspects of the show. Too bad, because Brendan Hines is a capable actor.
Right - Episodic Structure. The show is based around the science of face reading. As much as Lightman is a great character, it wouldn't have been so unique without this quirk. A week-to-week episodic structure keeps things fresh and entertaining, as a continuous storyline would have steered the series towards the characters, which I don't think would have been such a good idea...
Wrong - Plot Holes. Many, many plot holes. Whatever didn't turn around Lightman, usually end up into a gaping one. In the first season, Torres' boyfriend is in coma at the last episode...only to disappear from the show without a trace. Mekhi Phifer has the character with the most interesting dynamic with Lightman and suddenly vanishes from the show after being shot. There's a one liner about him in the third season saying that he's got a desk job now because of Lightman and that he's very angry, but c'mon! Also, Lightman's wife disappear from the face of the Earth at some point.
Right - Untold romance. Tim Roth and Kelli Williams are nurturing this untold and unlived romance in between Lightman and his associate Gillian Foster. It's one of the best non-verbal display of love and attraction I have seen on screen in memory. They are two cute love birds, coming from very different worlds.
Wrong - Ignored romance. Ria Torres, played by the beautiful and talented Monica Raymund, had great potential as a character but got shelved alongside Loker. Perhaps the most frustrating evidence of that is that the writers passed beside the obvious potential romance with Mekhi Phifer's character Reynolds. They were made for each other, it was as clear as day, but nothing happened. Ugh.
If anything, LIE TO ME is a testament that a story can work with one strong enough character. The plot holes don't matter as much when you care about the people. I'm sad to see it go, but the best things are those that end at some point. Wait, did LIE TO ME have an ending? No. It ended on a stupid romantic cliffhanger and a prospective new character for a potential new season. It's as terrible as it gets. Maybe Fox took the right decision and pulled the plug before it would've got ridiculous. In any case, if you're aching for a new series to check out, give LIE TO ME a chance. It's the kind of series you can pick up at any time, so it won't wreck your life too much.
* Thank you, Netflix
** Honestly, it would've been a great way out for this character.
