'Timeless' Retro Recap: 'Pilot'

Written by John Edward Betancourt

​You know, there’s really no way to sugar coat the fact that this spring was downright brutal for fans of various television shows everywhere. Because the networks went on a wholesale cancellation spree, bidding farewell to one beloved series after another. But of the many, many shows that left the airwaves in 2018, I think perhaps the one that pained its fanbase the most, was NBC’s Timeless and the drawn-out farewell that surrounded it.
 
Because not only did it take forever to even receive the unfortunate news that the series would not be returning for a third season, but everyone is still in the dark as to whether or not the proposed two-hour super finale is going to receive the green light or not, and the unknown is a tough place for any fan to reside. But, while we wait to hear as to whether or not this series will receive a proper ending, I thought it was high time to complete the Time Trio’s journey on my end since I came into the show in the middle of season two and what better a way to celebrate this magnificent series than by looking back at the titular first season, starting with the ‘Pilot’ episode.
 
Now, when settling in to watch this all important first jaunt through the timestream, I have to admit that I was caught off guard by how slick this first episode turned out to be. Because often times, pilot episodes feel rough, since the cast, crew, and the Writer’s Room haven’t quite found their voice, but that simply wasn’t the case with this particular tale. Everything here felt established and I love the fact that this pilot isn’t cringeworthy or awkward, it’s just quality storytelling through and through and it does a fine job of setting up the wild adventure to come and all of these elements made this episode a blast to watch and I now understand how so many people fell in love with it from the get go.
 
But truly, the centerpiece for me when it comes to this first adventure, are Lucy, Wyatt and Rufus. Because it’s the Time Trio that makes this story work in the first place and there some supremely special moments to be found in this tale when it comes to these magnificent heroes and it was so cool to see this group jell together so quickly once they start their mission and it was equally as awesome to see how quickly they embrace their roles as heroes and how much good is residing within their souls and well, when all is said and done, this may actually be one of the finest pilot episodes I’ve ever seen in my life time.
 
Because everything about this episode works and I love that all of the elements that sucked me in when I started season two were present here, because that means this series never lost sight of what it wanted to accomplish, and it stayed consistent throughout its brief run, which is quite the miracle in its own right. But most importantly, it’s just a delight to be reunited with this group once again, and I’m glad I waited a little while before starting these Retro Recaps simply because a little time away after the bad news has given me a newfound appreciation for this wonderful show and now if you’ll excuse me, through the wonder of Hulu, it’s time to consume another adventure, so I can geek out about it with the rest of you fine folks as soon as possible. Until next time. 

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