Amazon.com: Customer reviews: John Doe: Season 1

Reviewed in the United States on July 14, 2012

This review is written after watching the first 9 episodes - perhaps it improved, but I seriously doubt it.

The lead actor is handsome, but has ZERO personality (no winning smile, twinkle of the eyes, no sense of humor...) The supporting cast is not much better. While John Doe's endless knowledge of all things knowable might come in handy on occasion to the police, for the most part it's completely implausible they would consult him. On top of that he contaminates crime scenes, evidence and dead bodies before the ME gets to them and for the most part has no business being at the scenes much less given the unrestricted access. And just because you have knowledge, that doesn't make you a detective or Sherlock Holmes (or Monk) observant. The police chief(?) is completely unbelievable in her role as well - especially when she is in the interrogation room with a suspect.

To be honest, the only reason I watched this many episodes was pure curiosity as to his identity - but my curiosity isn't strong enough to continue to sit through more of this crap. This show is based on a good story concept, but is very poorly written and acted. I am AMAZED that all the rest of the reviews on this site for this show were so positive.
Obviously, I disagree and would not recommend this show.

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Bret

Miss the television series

Reviewed in the United States on March 26, 2014

I really enjoyed this series on tv I was so disappointed that the series was cancelled I wish I had known it was available on dvd for the short time it was offered It would be great if the series were brought back Oneof the few shows that I reareally enjoyed watching Only give it 4 stars cuz it ended way to soon Please bring it back on dvd I'd really like to see it again You could even bring series back on directly to dvd I know that the fans of this show would like to view it as instant streaming or even purchase series on dvd Make us fans happy!

2 people found this helpful

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Michael L. Emery

FASTLANE is on DVD, but not John Doe????

Reviewed in the United States on December 24, 2010

Having watched this show and the other Fox show "Fastlane" I am completely baffled why Fastlane is now out on DVD but not John Doe.

Both of these series came out for the 2002-2003 season on FOX.
Both were cancelled after just one season.

Fastlane gets released on DVD, John Doe has yet to. Why????

I actually liked Fastlane, so my disappointment is not biased against that show. My disappointment is based on the fact that, unlike Fastlane, John Doe had a mystery to solve and a DVD extra giving us the answers seems fair to ask for. (Yes, I know the creators told us in an Entertainment Weekly segment what was really going on, however something tells me they were not being completely serious)
Plus, when John Doe was "on the bubble" near the end of the season, I recall three times more "save this show" efforts for John Doe than for Fastlane. Meaning, this show seems to have more fans than Fastlane.
Not to mention, it was a great show! A unique premise, excellent writing, good cast, a couple of shocking deaths, and full of interesting trivia that educated.

On a "wishful thinking" note; None of the main actors seem to be all that busy currently, so a mini-episode that wraps everything up would definitely cause renewed interest, which would likely result in sales that justify the costs of filming it. yes, I know that will probably never happen, however I DID say it was just "wishful thinking."

Bottom line: Every person that I've shown the first episode to, wants to see more. And of the dozen or so that I've let watch all the episodes, only 2 have not cared to own it on DVD. So if that's just MY experience, it seems there would be masses of people who have never heard of John Doe, who would also love it.

Fox seems to have a knack for cancelling great shows (FIREFLY!) and John Doe was one of them. So if we can't have more John Doe, at least let us have the John Doe was were able to enjoy for the brief time it was on the air.

That's my rant, thank you for coming. *smirk*

12 people found this helpful

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Brian

Longing to own... Watch for free?

Reviewed in the United States on April 4, 2010

Having loved this series when it first aired I have been so disappointed that Season 1: (The only season), hasn't been released yet.

Now, the entire series as of this review is available via Hulu and I say down and watched the entire thing with relish. Few things stood out after watching. First, there is a moment in the pilot where Doe introduces his new cop friend (John Marshall Jones) to his new bartender/boss (William Forsythe). Second or third episode the exact same scene plays itself out like they had never met. There are other small things that seem to be glossed over and altered strangely but overall these things are minor. Second, I never realized how savagely annoying his "assistant" (Sprague Grayden) was till about the fourth episode and it really took away some of the enjoyment.

Took 5 or 6 episodes for the plot to really develop but once it got rolling it was an enjoyment through to the end. The acting was so-so in some places and some of the episodes were more of a detraction to the main storyline and I can see why some people are mixed over this series and I can more understand why it hasn't been released yet.

Go watch on Hulu while it is available and free and judge for yourself. Overall it was a very solid 4 stars for me and even worth owning in the future...

3 people found this helpful

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Anicha

GREAT SHOW!!!

Reviewed in the United States on December 20, 2009

I loved this show and it really is a shame that they cancelled it. If you have never seen it, then don't read the rest of my review because it contains spoilers. Read it after you have watched the show. It is just meant to provide viewers with the ending that was supposed to have aired if the show had not been cancelled. I found the following in [...]

'After the show was canceled, one of its producers revealed the secret of the main character's true identity in an interview with TV Guide: the Phoenix Organization, he said, was a group conducting research into near-death experiences. They believed that the sum total of knowledge in the universe would be conferred upon them at the moment of death, so they killed John and brought him back to life in order to gain access to that knowledge.

The show's final episode revealed that a close friend of John's was in fact the true leader of the Phoenix Organization.

An explanation of Doe's identity was eventually put forward by the show's producers in the pages of Entertainment Weekly. The article read, in part:

Where We Left Off: Doe was helping the police solve crimes and being tracked by a seemingly nefarious group called the Phoenix Organization. He finally unmasked the big bad, a villain nicknamed Stocking Cap -- his friend, Digger (played by William Forsythe)!
What Would Have Happened: Make that someone who looked like John's friend. The villain unmasked in the finale was actually just a Phoenix member with some fancy facial reconstruction. Turns out, the Phoenix believed Doe was the Messiah and its members were actually protecting Doe from a second group, which wanted him dead. The truth: Doe was injured in a boating accident. That mark on his chest? A scar left by a piece of shrapnel from the explosion. His Überbrain? A by-product of transcending his body during a near-death experience, traveling to a spiritual plane where all the universe's questions are answered.
So Who is John Doe?! "You'd think we actually would have come up with his name," the show's producer revealed. "We have no idea," he finally admitted, before adding "Fred."[1]
On the popular weekly podcast Diggnation, Alex Albrecht said he was given a reason for the black and white vision, as well as all of the knowledge John Doe had. It was said that when you reach the gates of heaven, you are given the answer to every question you'll ever ask or that will ever be asked. And the reason for the black-and-white vision was an effect of being returned to earth.[verification needed]' Source: [...]

10 people found this helpful

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Lucas Lock

This series was great... No wonder it was cancelled

Reviewed in the United States on October 28, 2012

This is a well deserved rating. this show was great and im choosing to support the series I enjoy because the good ones always get the cut... Makes me wonder who's in charge hahahaha!!

One person found this helpful

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Twilightjoan

LOVE this series! -- Too bad it was canceled!

Reviewed in the United States on August 24, 2007

It is great that Amazon has put this listing for John Doe - The Complete First Season here so we might be notified if Fox ever decides to sell the series on DVD. The last episode was so shocking and everyone was going to have to wait until the new season started to find out why John Doe was seemingly betrayed by someone he thought was his friend and sometimes protector and then we find out the series was CANCELED. Holy cow! Now we will never know. I HOPE that if and when the series is put on DVD that we get a good commentary by the writers and producers about what was planned for the series if Fox had picked it up for a second season and beyond. Hope hope hope.

53 people found this helpful

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Joseph W. Hoch

FOX: Could they be setting a Guinness Record for Most times for bad jusdgement to AXE a new TV Series?

Reviewed in the United States on May 29, 2009

It would be interesting to do a research project on the subject of Fox's actions to AXE a TV show before it has established a fair opportunity to reach a popularity level. Although it's only a hunch, before all of the research & facts are in, it's quite possible to believe that it would be FOX who would win the Guinness record for the most shows wrongfully & prematurely KILLED before their time. Such is the case with the most original Sci-Fi TV show, "John Doe". Apparently, for all of the creative resources which causes a network to launch a new TV show, to countermand that ability is the lack of awareness (i.e. call it vision!) to recognize what it has before it presses the KILL-IT button to end it so prematurely to be almost still-born. When even classic gems like M*A*S*H had historically documented uphill trials and tribulations to reach the revered final target destination of all-time best in overwhelming degree by the popular-viewing public, is it not a wonder that any prospectively great show needs the steadfast confidence and faith by the network which launched it to stand on strong ground and give unique shows a reasonable chance to continue and grow in plot as well as fan-follower support? Networks like Fox who prematurely kill shows like "John Doe" as well as ABC Family who launch enough Sci-fi project energy to start a series like "KYLE-XY" for three lean seasons clearly show that there is no solitary license on creative stupidity for lack of recognition of what value lies within a show after it has left the original runway, lifted off, and flown for a season or two.

2 people found this helpful

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LandieS

ORIGINAL WORK

Reviewed in the United States on August 30, 2007

I think this was the best series I have seen in ages and was shocked that they ended the series as soon as they did.

If they ever take up the challenge and continue with this series I will continue to be a fan.

It was original, interesting with twists and turns like you won't believe. It was very satisfying to watch.

36 people found this helpful

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Neil Bergman

Engaging show - hope it makes it to DVD

Reviewed in the United States on February 8, 2008

"John Doe" was a very creative and entertaining show. I was amazed when Fox axed it after the first season. In my opinion it could have become increasingly popular in its second and subsequent seasons if Fox had only given it the opportunity. I really hope this show makes it to DVD because it's definitely a series I would watch again and share with friends who didn't see it when it aired. This show was excellently written and acted. Dominic Purcell was great in the role of John Doe.

29 people found this helpful

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