Pilot Review: A Gifted Man

A Gifted Man (CBS)
Premiered September 23 at 8pm

For every new standard procedural show, it seems like there has to be one with a slight supernatural twist. That brings us to “A Gifted Man,” CBS’ latest effort to infuse some ghostly sainthood into one of its previously amoral lead characters. Patrick Wilson tackles his first TV role since his debut in “Angels in America” as renowned neurosurgeon Michael Holt, who has more than enough money and self-confidence but is short on friends and fulfillment. Michael is quickly established as someone who doesn’t see the point of social skills, responding to his secretary’s comment about her birthday with “Again?” Wilson is better when he plays more likeable characters, and this role doesn’t offer him much to work with, save the occasional opportunity to really freak out about the situation in which he finds himself. The show tends to have too much white space, where characters often seem like they’re merely pasted into a background, and the shots of nothing but a zoomed-in face are not quite effective. The scenes with Anna are just awkward, since she expresses a far too casual attitude designed to throw Michael off guard, and instead it just seems too unserious. Newly crowned Emmy winner Margo Martindale deserves better than having to wish herself her own happy birthday, and I’m astounded that Julie Benz found an even more annoying role than the one she had on “Dexter,” exemplified by her jubilant reaction to the notion of Anna being a ghost. Pablo Schreiber, seen recently on “Lights Out” and “Weeds” has a role far too hokey for this show’s own good, and the attempt to define and actually extract Anna’s presence is too literal an effort that weakens the effectiveness of her existence. It may just have been me who thought it was ironic that James McCaffrey was in this pilot after he played a character who was always a ghost on “Rescue Me.” Bill Irwin was a good guest star, and now that his Ron is gone, Michael is really alone and will no doubt have to start listening to the ex-wife he somehow forgot all about even though she clearly kept him close enough to her heart to use his name in her password. Therein lies the primary problem of this show, and let’s just hope time can help it develop.

How will it work as a series? It was clear what Anna needed from Michael in this first episode, and so the focus will now likely turn to what Michael needs from Anna as she helps to make him a better person, more committed to helping others and using his wealth and fame for good rather than selfish reasons. What she’ll still be doing around may be more of an unanswered mystery.
How long will it last? The pilot ratings were slightly improved over those of “Medium,” and this is definitely for the timeslot for this kind of fare, since “Ghost Whisperer” aired here for several years. I don’t think it has what it takes for a long life, but it shouldn’t have much trouble sticking around for the rest of the season.

Pilot grade: C