Journeyman Perfidia Episode Review
There are very few times I am this jumbled with feelings going into writing a review of an episode. I have to say that I am saddened to even contemplate the idea that this could possibly be the last episode of Journeyman. The episode according to Kevin Falls was going to have answers, does it?
The start of the episode has Dan going back to a mental institutions in the year 2007, that was a bit of a twist, more of a location shift not year shift. Dan meets up with a gentleman who says that Dan is there for him. The guys name is Evan and Dan helps him escape this mental hospital after convincing Dan to an extent that he can time travel. Jack goes to talk to the scientist, backs him into a corner, he is trying to find out more on Dan, but he still is claiming he knows no Dan. So then Jack goes to one of his lecture causes a big scene and it seems as though the Dr. is pretty distraught.
Dan learns more about Evan and Evan shows him a tape of him and his old wife that he ended up loosing due to some poor time traveling experiences he has to erase even knowing her from the past and now all he wants is to talk to her. In the meantime time traveling Dan is near to running into the current Dan of that time period. After a close call Dan and Evan pass the present Dan and and they make it to this get together where Evan meets his old wife from the past and after a beautiful dance (the reason for the episode name) Evan dies, this is the exact time frame however that Dan goes back in time for the first time. My initial thought is that with Evan dying this now allows Dan to time travel. Whats the connection?
We don’t necessarily get that question answered, however what we do get answered is that the number of time travelers is dwindling. Why? Were not sure? Could it just get to a point where the person can’t take it anymore. The end of the episode has Dan talking with the Dr., the Doctor used some flowery language to explain what is going on, he says that no one is controlling it per say but it sounds like there is a group that sort of decides what is going to take place. The Doctor states that he is the last one, could this mean something is or did happen to Livia?
The close of the episode was as strong as you could hope.Dan talks with Katie and she is happy to find out that Evan was able to control his time traveling with sedatives, when Katie brings that up for Dan he says that he thinks that it is his responsibility to continue time traveling. Katie brings up the pilot conclusion where Dan stated that he would always come home and she asks if that is still the case, Dan says yes.
The conclusion of this episode of Journeyman answers some questions, but as expected it doesn’t clear up as much as we all would hope. I do hope that if this is the last episode there is a book written or at least something written that lets us know more on the story. I don’t know if this is the final episode, according to Brian Howe (who plays Hugh Skillen) the cast doesn’t either. It was a great episode, a bit slow at the start, but it did wrap things up as nicely as you can with half a season. Let us just hope that more is to come from Journeyman, as this is some of the best TV I have seen in years. I applaud all those involved with the show, it was a great run and lets hope there is plenty more to come.

December 20th, 2007 at 2:26 am
You’re are so right this was a great episode but they’ve all been pretty good in my book. The final scene where Katie gets to see him leave was a very nice ending, hopefully not a permenent one. I was reading somewhere about the amount of promotional money NBC spend on Bionic Woman, a terrible remake with a multitude of mistakes made a long the way. Too bad they didn’t have the same faith in Journeyman cause the show would be kicking bionic ass by now. Considering how well scripted and acted this show is, I can’t believe NBC would not at least try a new time slot, bump up the promos, or try something to give it a kick start. Someone in the executive office just doesn’t like time travel programs or what? It seems like no effort is being made here whatsoever. It’s episode grabs you and doesn’t let go… I don’t even want to get up in the commercials for fear of missing a second. What gives Journeyman it’s uniqueness (compared to Quantum Leap) is the way Dan keeps jumping back and forth in time and the way the writers deal with the effects on other lives is just incredible. This is not just a sci-fi flick, it’s a genuine emotional dramatic effort. Hope the ride continues!
December 20th, 2007 at 2:30 am
You’re are so right this was a great episode but they’ve all been pretty good in my book. The final scene where Katie gets to see him leave was a very nice ending, hopefully not a permenent one. I was reading somewhere about the amount of promotional money NBC spend on Bionic Woman, a terrible remake with a multitude of mistakes made a long the way. Too bad they didn’t have the same faith in Journeyman cause the show would be kicking bionic ass by now. Considering how well scripted and acted this show is, I can’t believe NBC would not at least try a new time slot, bump up the promos, or try something to give it a kick start. Someone in the executive office just doesn’t like time travel programs or what? It’s seems like no effort is being made here whatsoever. Each episode grabs you and doesn’t let go… I don’t even want to get up in the commercials for fear of missing a second. What gives Journeyman it’s uniqueness (compared to Quantum Leap) is the way Dan keeps jumping back and forth in time and the way the writers deal with the effects on other lives is just incredible. This is not just a sci-fi flick, it’s a genuine emotional dramatic effort. Hope the ride continues!
December 20th, 2007 at 3:16 am
I liked this one, but you are right, there were fewer answers than I expected. Still, I am glad we don’t know everything as this makes me more hopeful for more episodes. It would suck if another network said, ‘But Kevin, your team answered everything in “Perfidia”. Why should we make any more?’
Best scene: Katie finally sees Dan vanish.
December 20th, 2007 at 5:21 am
I agree this is the best show I have seen in years and it is a shame it may have come to the end. I have not anticipated watching a show more than this one and I will miss it.
I personally feel that NBC should give Journeyman a second chance during the writers strike……reair the show from beginning to end in a better time slot and have it go up aganist reruns of other shows in order to gain a new audience. If successful in the end NBC wouldn’t have to waste money on another dumb reality show but instead rebuild what the have and make it stronger.
I want more and hope this isn’t the end…….
December 20th, 2007 at 10:07 am
I also would’ve liked to learn more. We kind of understand more about why Dan and Livia time travel, but I wished they could have elaborated on their relationship. Obviously they have a connection, made clear by the fortune teller lady because they were born on the dates the comet passed through… but maybe there’s a deeper reason why he keeps seeing her. Why not another time traveler? And if he is the only one left, if Livia is dead, how could she travel to 2007 earlier in the series (since they can only travel during their own lifetime)… So many questions, no answers. If Journeyman is 100 percent cancelled/ended, couldn’t Kevin Falls or someone else explain some of these things to the fans? So we’re not left completely empty and upset?
December 20th, 2007 at 1:35 pm
Personally I dont think it was preluding to Livia’s death.
I think that the doctor asumes (like the rest of the world) that Livia is dead in the plane crash. Thats even if he DID know about her to begin with.
Personally I am not so sure they are dying out.
I think as shown when one dies another starts.
It would be one way to eventually kill off main characters too.
The lead dies and then they start their replacement straight away. (like Dr Who.)
It would have been nice if Evan had mentioned his birthday being exactly the same day as Dan’s. That would have been a nice touch and confirmation.
Even though 3 of them (maybe more) are knocking around in the same time period it might be that only 2 are active at a given time.
Lets hope they bring it back !
December 20th, 2007 at 4:45 pm
I also thought it has been a great season. This is one of the very few series where I make a point to watch it, even though I also Tivo it.
If the birthday thing is true, I think Evan was born the same day as Dan. I was wondering why he died though. Did they indicate what caused his death? I was thinking that he died because he couldn’t travel. Maybe, if Dan got a headache and he couldn’t travel, it would also kill him. Who knows.
Alright NBC. The ball’s in your court. Renew the show already!!
December 20th, 2007 at 5:48 pm
That was the best episode yet. If it was indeed the last, and left us with unanswered questions, I think I deduced something hidden after all. In the elevator with the doctor, when dan says he knows another time traveller and that he isn,t the last, he wasn’t talking about Livia. Um, anyone. Perhaps his son, Zack? I really think that this is the best show on t.v after the wire,the office and pushing daisies. One of the reasons why I still watch NBC. Let’s all sign some petition like they did with veronica mars.
December 20th, 2007 at 7:58 pm
I rarely watch local tv the last 8 years. But Journeyman was the best show I have ever seen in a long time. I also have a HD DVR because of my busy life but I alway made time to watch it on mondays at 10.pm. I hope the keep the show.
December 20th, 2007 at 9:03 pm
This is killing me to think this is the last episode. My 18 year old daughter, who always is on the computer, actually makes time for this show, and this show only. My 11 year old also watches it with us, so it is like family time. We all LOVE the show.
There is some much left for them to do with it. They can’t leave us hanging like this.
For the actors who might be reading this, you guys are amazing!!! Thanks for all you have done in making the show so great!
And to Joel and Adam, thanks so much for this blog. I would have never known what was going on behind the scenes with out it.
Hopefully, by some miracle the show continues on next year on any network. I’ll watch it wherever it goes. Even if it’s to DVD only.
Please continue to keep us informed.
Take care everyone,
Rob
December 21st, 2007 at 11:16 am
I too must add my voice to the rest of those who will be sad to see Journeyman go. It was intelligent TV - not some vapid dumbass “comedy” set to a laugh-track. The pace of the revelations left you hungering for more, and I would love to see some further descriptions or explanations of what the relationship is with Olivia to Dan’s journeys back into time.
It was interesting to see that moment outside the newspaper when Dan and Liv were about to kiss - succumbing to destined desires? Or the last kiss knowing that might be their last jump? When Dan saw himself jump and Liv was gone, wasn’t it because she had to be where he was when he jumped originally, to watch over him? Hmmmm…Dan could be in two places at once, but can Olivia? Or can she be in three places at once? who knows.
Anyway, please NBC, keep it alive. Apart from Heroes, it’s my favourite show.
Rick