AirLockAlpha.com

Back during the Writers Guild of America strike of 2007-08, the broadcast networks were scrambling to find programming to fill the holes they expected in their schedules for the next season. One of the options available was to purchase programming from international sources, such as Canada and the United Kingdom.

NBC bought programs from both, "Merlin” from the United Kingdom and "The Listener" from Canada.

But after making these purchases, NBC saw little in the shows to give them strong programming slots. "Merlin," which was originally scheduled to air on Sundays in the spring, was instead rescheduled to air over the summer. "The Listener" was always slotted to air in the summer.

Why buy it if you have no faith in it?

I can think of one reason: They were riding on a "Heroes" high, and the lead character in this series has the same ability that "Heroes" character Matt Parkman did in the first season. He can read minds. Toby Logan, as portrayed by Craig Olejnik, is an EMT who has been a telepath since he was a child.

In the first few episodes we learn his mother also heard voices, and killed herself to stop them. Toby spent most of his life learning to deal with his ability with his mentor Ray Mercer, a professor at a local university. Toby has also spent his life hiding his ability from others, apparently at the urging of Mercer.

The series begins when Toby reads the thoughts of a woman in trouble, a woman well out of his normal range. He and his partner Osmen "Oz" Bey go to the rescue. During the rescue, he gets flashes from the woman about a child being taken from her car after the accident. Later flashes reveal the woman was warned not to involve the police by her son's kidnapper. Toby takes it upon himself to investigate what he has learned. This brings him in into contact with Detective Charlie Marks, played by Lisa Marcos.

Another storyline in the show revolves around Toby's relationship with Dr. Olive Fawcett. We learn in the pilot that they have just broken up, and are trying to remain friends, even though Toby seems to be in denial. It appears Toby is a secretive type who doesn't talk about things, which has driven Olive away.

In the first few episodes I have seen, Olive is moving on, while Toby moons after her. But Olive also notices Toby spending time with the pretty police detective, and we see unhappy glances. It's all typical soap opera fare.

The entire series so far gives the impression we've seen it all before. Well at least I have. Toby's partner Oz is the comic relief, who's not ever in on what's going on, even when Toby runs off to investigate his latest mystery. Their relationship has strong echoes of Nick Knight and his partner Don Schanke from the old syndicated series "Forever Knight," a loyal partner but never in the know.

As far as I've seen, there is no love triangle, but all the ingredients are there. Toby definitely wants Olive back, but Olive is going to need to see much more change before she goes there. The presence of Det. Mack may push Olive to be more agreeable to Toby, but who knows?

Each episode contains a stand-alone mystery, with bits of Toby's personal life sprinkled in. It's already aired in Canada, and from what I have read, that doesn't change.

I do hope we get more info on Toby's background with Ray Mercer. I don't get a good vibe from that character, and am curious why he insists Toby never tell anyone about his ability. Sharing this knowledge with Olive can only help their relationship.

I'm not certain if Canadian network CTV has renewed "The Listener," but I'll bet good money NBC won't. Three episodes have aired so far, and the ratings have been disappointing. It premiered with 5.25 million viewers and a 1.5 rating/4 shares among adults 18 to 49, a key advertising demographic. Its latest airing was watched by 4.39 million viewers and had an 18-49 rating of 1.3/4. A steady decline is never a good thing.

It's not a bad show. There were even some fun scenes where Toby uses his ability to determine his irate boss was upset because he missed wrestling, and letting him know he had TiVoed it and could give him a copy. Those little moments are fun.

I think it could do better in the ratings if more people knew it was there. Promotion on NBC is hardly visible. A show like this should be getting some cross promotion on SciFi Channel and USA Network, where like-minded audiences can be found.

My opinion? If you like the Matt Parkman on "Heroes," give this series a look. But do it quickly. Even if it airs all 13 of the episodes NBC ordered, I don't expect them to order any more.