- Network: FOX
- Series Premiere Date: Sep 20, 2002
Critic Reviews
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- By date
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Compelling. [20 Sept 2002, p.E1]
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Highly arresting. [20 Sept 2002, p.C1]
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If they can maintain that level of intelligence, then John Doe stands a chance of becoming the kind of special series - like "The Fugitive" and "The Prisoner" - that people will talk about for years to come.
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The shrewd thing about John Doe is that it uses its fantasy element as an addition, not a substitute for interesting characters and good storytelling. At its heart, this is just a mystery show with a twist. [20 Sept 2002, p.46]
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It's an inventive, affecting and sometimes amusing hour. [20 Sept 2002, p.6C]
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Watching him color in the lines of his own personality is fascinating. [19 Sept 2002]
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As forced as its concept seems, John Doe is alluring because it flows so easily from humor to drama then back again and because Dominic Purcell's smooth performance as John is perfectly in tune with that fluid style. [20 Sept 2002, p.E26]
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Friday's opener is intriguing, but shows such as Doe have a habit of collapsing quickly — usually because the rules governing the hero's behavior bend and stretch to suit the needs of the writers.
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Both intriguing and very iffy. It's all going to depend on how good a job the writers do in making this mystery work over the long haul. If they follow the "X-Files" example of one-step-forward, one-step-back, this could get old quickly. [20 Sept 2002, p.C08]
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When Doe is just exploring the depth and breadth of his great brain - playing a virtuoso rendition of "My Funny Valentine," showing off for a crowd of library patrons - John Doe feels like a show that a lot of people may want to get to know. [19 Sept 2002]
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It's so stylishly executed, with Mimi Leder's direction, a crisp script and magnetic lead by Dominic Purcell, that the John Doe indeed has a solid identity.
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Certainly, Dominic Purcell creates quite a presence as this man of mystery. [20 Sept 2002, p.1]
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The fun part of this series is watching Doe become aware of his powers and limitations. Purcell supplies all the wonder and charm needed to turn Doe into a fascinating and curious character. [19 Sept 2002]
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Distracting and annoying as some of its bad habits are, "John Doe" is still hauntingly distinctive enough to warrant further investigation. Who knows but that eventually we may even find -- yes, I'm going to say it -- Doe a dear.
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Mr. Know-It-All can be rather irritating. [20 Sept 2002]
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Can we please have a moratorium on voice-over narration? This lazy device is being overused to convey what simple dialogue should. In John Doe, the title character's innermost thoughts won't stop. [19 Sept 2002, p.48]
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So how come he knows absolutely everything, but some things he doesn't? You're not supposed to ask.
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There were so many paths that Joe Doe could have gone that the chosen route is a disappointment. Prime time has enough crime solvers. John Doe might not know who he is, but what he becomes is all too familiar. [20 Sept 2002, p.E1]
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Who is he? Who-who, who-who? I really want to know. But I don't think I want to sit through four or five episodes, let alone a season or two, to find out. [20 Sept 2002]
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Viewers who don't mind being dragged along for a ride, who are gluttons for punishment ("X-Files" faithful, perhaps), may want to join in John Doe's search. For the rest of us, Doe will remain the personification of an unsolved mystery. [20 Sept 2002, p.40]
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I found the lead's lack of irony or even much anxiety a bore. Just because you don't know who you are doesn't mean you can't be self-aware. [20 Sept 2002, p.C3]
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An annoying voice constantly explains what he is thinking, things like "What am I?" "Where did I come from?" Surprisingly, he never asks, "What am I doing on this stupid show?" [20 Sept 2002, p.D13]
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