FlashForward, 1x04, “Black Swan”

Episode Title: Black Swan
Writers: Lisa Zwerling and Scott M. Gimple

Director: Michael Rymer

Originally Aired: 10/15/2009
Grade: A-

So far, the writers and directors are doing a good job of maintaining the sense of high stakes within the story. We’re dealing with a catastrophic worldwide event with monumental implications, and it’s affecting everyone on the entire planet. Some people feel they’ve been given a second chance. Some are terrified. This event has affected both the entire human race and every individual. But no matter what the scale, the stakes are huge, and the show makes sure viewers remember that. It’s so important because it’s what allows characters to remain likable even when they act like assholes (as Olivia, Dem, and Mark all did in this episode).

I think I could have done without the “Scarface of Pot” storyline, though. I can see how it’s realistic that they’d end up following some false leads, and it gave Dem and Mark a personal conflict to resolve, but it ended up feeling like a boring waste of time.

I’ve seen some speculation that the clergyman Nicole spoke to is the man who is drowning her in her flash-forward, and there is some physical resemblance, but Nicole told Mark that she saw the man’s face, so surely she would make the connection herself.

Miscellaneous Stuff

-A slow-mo flashback set to Bjork’s “It’s Oh So Quiet”? Much love.

-I cannot stress enough my love for the “happy family in the morning” sequence. Was it saccharine and a bit silly? Of course, but I love absurdity, so “Eggbert” made me smile in spite of myself, and come on, “French toast of loooove”?! Totally cute. Olivia’s parroting of Charlie comments even ended up making the silly scene feel organic.