This recap and review contains spoilers for S1E1 Pilot.
The series The Passage is based on author Justin Cronin’s best-selling trilogy of the same name. The series focuses on Project Noah, where experimental drugs are tested that may make people immune to disease.
The pilot starts with scientists going in search of a 250 year old man. In order to have lived that long he feeds on blood. One of the doctors, Dr. Tim Fanning, gets too close and is bitten. He heals quickly but then, then something begin to happen. His begins to deteriorate in a way no one has ever seen.
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A great opener to the pilot. I always enjoy a bit of action with a bite to the neck. However, I do not understand what person in their right mind approaches someone who seems rabid at the least.
The story picks up three years later in the midst of Project NOAH. Project Noah uses inmates facing execution to test their drug. There is a deadly flu, airborne, with no vaccine, that threatens to reach the U.S. in a matter of months. Project Noah is the best hope for a vaccine, thus the project is accelerated.
I would have liked a little more on the story versus jumping ahead three years. How did they find out about the 250 year old man? Was he really 250 years old?
“The girl from nowhere, the one no one will miss.”
The drug has been found to be more successful on younger patients, less, if any, deterioration, avoiding changes in physical appearance. Amy Belafonte (played by Saniyya Sidney) is a 10 year old, whose mother recently died of an overdose. The team at Project Noah knows Amy will not be missed, and sends their agents out to bring her back to the facility.
Agent Brad Wolgast (played by Mark-Paul Gosselaar) and another agent go pick up Amy, who isn’t fooled by the story they tell her. Brad begins to question why he should take Amy in, they have never brought in children before. Brad gets away from his partner and takes off with Amy. Though After his picture is on the news he decides to turn himself in, knowing the type of people he is dealing with.
The Project Noah agents catch up with Brad and he fights his way out. This fight scene was great. I hope we see more this! I am an action fiend.
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Overall this was a strong opening. I give it a 4 out of 5.
I thought a little more background information could have been provided but that may come out later in the season. Dr. Fanning and another patient appeared in the dreams of not only a man working in the clinic, but also a new patient being brought into the program, even though the new patient has not seen any of the other patients. I haven’t read the books but I am wondering what this is foreshadowing. The doctors seem to think these patients have no real brain activity, however, something is going on. I think those dreams may be more real than than they know. I look forward to episode two.
The Passage airs Mondays on Fox.