2002’s John Doe offered an interesting series with some sci fi elements and plenty of mysteries, but it was cancelled after one season and did not get the chance to fully explore its storylines.
What Is It?
The premise of this show is set up with the opening narration:
I woke up in an island off the coast of Seattle. I didn’t know how I got there … or who I was. But I did seem to know everything else. There were things about me I didn’t understand … the brand, being colorblind, extreme claustrophobia. And while my gifts provided answers for others, I still search for my own. My name is John Doe.
After Seattle police investigates John and unsuccessfully tries to figure out his origins, he gets involved with their cases acting as a consultant due to his encyclopedic knowledge. Meanwhile, John searches for answers about his past that lead him to the mysterious Phoenix Organization that is watching his every move.
Aired: FOX, 2002-03, 1 Seasons Totaling 21 Episodes
Cast: Dominic Purcell, John Marshall Jones, Jayne Brook, Sprague Grayden, William Forsythe
Crew: Brandon Camp (Creator/Executive Producer), Mike Thompson (Creator/Executive Producer)
Legacy:
This show delivered a procedural with a sci fi twist, and it also offered interesting characters along with an unfolding mystery that helped it rise above the standard Prime Time fare. It developed a cult following, and could have turned into a notable genre entry, but it was cut short by its network.
A Closer Look:
When this show debuted, The X-Files had just wrapped up its nine-year run on FOX, and network execs were certainly hoping John Doe would pick up the torch as the next procedural with a sci fi twist that would grab the attention of Prime Time audiences (the intro theme even borrowed heavily from the Chris Carter show). The series had less in the way of sci fi and paranormal elements than The X-Files, but it still delivered plenty of appeal to genre fans while also providing the episodic crime investigation stories that the broader Prime Time audience prefers. It also had an over-arching mystery relating to John’s origins that unfolded as the first season progressed.
A young Dominic Purcell was on hand in the lead role, playing a much different character than sci fi fans would come to know years later on The CW’s Legends of Tomorrow. But he proved more than capable of carrying the series, and the supporting cast did an excellent job with the roles they were given as well. The show did meander at times across its single season, delivering several filler, run-of-the-mill procedural tales. But at its best, it could be quite engaging, and it seemed to be building to a rather interesting ongoing storyline. But perhaps it did not have enough sci fi for genre fans or enough crime elements for the broader audience because this one failed to find the success and acclaim that The X-Files enjoyed during the latter half of its initial run. John Doe did have plenty of promise, though, and could have been a sleeper genre entry if it had received more support from its network.
Cancelled Too Soon?
Yes. John Doe was paired with another little sci fi TV series called Firefly on Fridays, a night where the broadcast networks had been experiencing ongoing audience attrition for years. John Doe started out with good ratings, but those declined as the season progressed. FOX did give the show a full season order (whereas Firefly was cancelled mid-year), but the ratings had dropped nearly in half by Spring. The network cancelled it at season end, leaving the show unresolved on a major cliffhanger.
Should It Be Rebooted?
Possibly, and the basic premise makes a reboot very doable. John could just wake up in the present day, once again with no memory of his past. The story could give some glimpses into his recent past to backfill to the first season and then move forward from there. Dominic Purcell does not seem to have any major projects on his schedule at the moment, so he could potentially return to the roles. Or they could have a new John Doe and perhaps have Purcell as a guest star to kick things off or sign on as a recurring character. Sadly this show never developed much of an audience beyond its cult following, though, so it is unlikely that network execs would have much interest in bringing it back.
Interesting Facts:
(Spoilers to Follow) The final episode of the series ended with the apparent revelation that John’s friend Digger was part of the Phoenix Organization. The show’s creators indicated in an interview where the story would go from there:
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.
The role of Digger was played by Meat Loaf in the unaired pilot before William Forsythe took over as the bartender with an interesting past in the series.
Where Can You Watch It?
Sadly, this show never received a DVD release and it is not streaming on any of the major services as of this writing. You can search out episodes on YouTube, and this one is certainly worth a look.
