In Eli Stone, I Trust

Here is a show that didn't know what it was going to be when it grew up. It came out of the gate in the year of a writer's strike and varying television fits and starts. Always appealing was the cast led by the great Victor Garber and Jonny Lee Miller even as it walked the fine line between being a hybrid of Ali McBeal, Highway to Heaven and Touched By an Angel. Last week, Eli Stone began the season six months from where it left off. For those of you who missed the opening season of this little gem in the rough here is a quick synopsis. Eli Stone is a cut throat attorney who shortly after the death of his father begins experience visions - mostly set to George Michael songs. He begins to listen to the visions as premonitions and along the way discovers he has an aneurysm that he believes is what is prompting the visions, as opposed to a divine intervention that would make him a prophet. It sounds heavier than it actually was and while at times convoluted the show was often quite funny, charming and poignant. The season ended with Eli making the decision to have his aneurysm removed and having a chance at the life he had before the visions. He decided it was a burden he did not want and wasn't certain he believed in the divinity of what had happened.

Now here we are surgery successful and Eli attempting to have his license reinstated to practice law. He has been vision-less since his surgery and the season premiere shows us that his free will has altered the fate of those he loves. The clip above provides insight to the decision Eli and the show have made with regards to what his journey is going to be. The stage for the reluctant prophet has been set. Watch the clip because it will give you some insight to just how good Miller is as Eli Stone as well as the great cameo and writing provided to Sigourney Weaver.

Faith is not a necessary leaning to enjoy this show. It speaks to a bigger reality, how our choices, sacrifices and love drive us as people to influence those we surround. Eli Stone has the potential to be that show, I hope for my Tuesday night viewing, it like so many before it is not ahead of it's time.

Spend an hour with Eli Stone and don't be quick to judge the musical visions. And if you chose to tune in this week -- forgive the appearance of Katie Holmes, while not a choice I'd prefer, she and the shows creator got their start together on Dawson's Creek and you can't blame him yet for the stunt casting.