Protagonist Musicians in SF, pt.9

TITLE: Limitless (TV version)

AUTHOR: The Good People at CBS? Craig Sweeny?

YEAR: 2015-2016

IS THIS SF?
YES?—action takes place in the now, but there is advanced pharmaceutical technology in the form of NZT-48. The invention and use of this drug makes the narrative quite speculative.

PJE SYNOPSIS
Brian Finch is a failed musician, failed in life—takes a pill, becomes incredibly smart, with super-quick and detailed recall, and also the ability to make connections become concrete, no matter how far-fetched they may seem. The pill kills, however, overwhelming the brain unless a immunization-booster shot is administered. The booster in this case is administered by a shady-seeming politician. Given this, crime-solving with the FBI becomes Finch’s main goal/day-job, though he runs into politically-oriented conspiracies that threaten his family and co-workers.

REALLY A MUSICIAN?
YES, though “failed” without commercial or aesthetic success. Sings, plays guitar—after first taking the drug one part of Finch’s “mastery montage” is the playing the guitar an an incredible rate of speed. Also has many LPs of unknown bands in non-popular genres…

WHY A MUSICIAN?
I think, mostly, for the sake of irony—from fumbler to fed! Writers/creators needed someone to start off as low as possible to present contrast to the tight-lipped straight-arrows. They also needed someone who seemed to have no prospects who would’ve been no stranger to drug culture. Perhaps, and this is where I hang some of my hopes, they wanted someone who didn’t think like cop, but rather someone who sought connections, and is used to lateral thinking on their feet—so why NOT a musician!?!

RECOMMENDED?
SO-SO, at times light-hearted and speculative—-a bit weak as the conspiracy deepens… Would have been better off as a “monster of the week” type show.