Fox's "Touch" continues network television's recent trend of high-concept dramas hoping to recapture cable audiences. Tim Kring, the creator of "Heroes," conceived developed the series that follows Martin Bohm (Kiefer Sutherland) and his son Jake (David Mazouz), an autistic mute who can predict the future.
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The pilot opens with Jake explaining his supernatural abilities to the viewer. He can see the connections people have with one another and believes it is his responsibility to ensure that strangers meet when destiny demands it. For example, a dropped cell phone in New York must make its way to the Middle East to prevent a suicide bombing. "Touch" experiments with the impact of cause and effect as well as how all lives and decisions are interconnected.
"Touch" is a gamble for Kring. The multiple, interconnecting storylines that destroyed "Heroes" are front and center in "Touch." As the pilot demonstrates, the strong writing effectively juggles the interweaving plot lines. The acting, however, is not as steady as the script. Because Jake remains mute throughout the episode, most of the dialogue between Martin and Jake's social worker Clea (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) feels forced.
It is necessary to suspend disbelief to enjoy the show, as it relies heavily on coincidences. The smallest decision makes the biggest impact. A stolen lottery ticket results in the rescue of several children from a bus crash. Is that realistic? No, but at least it's entertaining.
While "Touch" may not rely on reality, it speaks truth about the strength of human relationships and the impact individuals have on one another. Sutherland's character is still suffering from the death of his wife, who died during the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. This storyline adds a human element and emotional content to a show heavily grounded in numbers and mathematics.
Where the show is heading is still unclear at this point. Kring has stated that "Touch" will be an episodic series, but the idea of following a new set of characters each week seems burdensome and overly dependent on guest stars. The first episode did not deliver nearly enough pathos to connect audiences to characters who may only appear once. If "Touch" can connect all of its characters in intriguing ways it may fulfill the potential seen in the pilot to become one of the best new series of the season.
