"Mercy Reef (aka "Aquaman")" Pilot Talkback (Spoilers)

[The Penguin]

Discuss the pilot to the failed Aquaman (aka Mercy Reef) series, now available on iTunes!


http://worldsfinestonline.com/wfboards/aquamantvlogo.jpg

Mercy Reef (aka Aquaman)
Released July 25th, 2006 on iTunes

Synopsis: This grounded, contemporary reinterpretation of DC Comics' Aquaman mythology comes from the acclaimed writing/producing team of Alfred Gough & Miles Millar ("Smallville"). Self-assured dive shop owner Arthur "A.C." Curry begins to grasp his amazing destiny as he perfects his abilities with a time-hardened lighthouse keeper.

Comments?

[Wing Zero]

Looks like WB knows there's high interest in this show. Let's hope that the Aquaman pilot gets lots of clicks so maybe it'll eventually turn up on the CW.

[Azrael24]

i hope it does get back on, too bad if it does it wont be in continuity wit smallville

[Steven C]

Im downloading as I type.

[DisneyBoy]

But I thought the show was axed...? Why release something online that's damaging to a WB/DC property? I mean, that's part of the reason why Birds of Prey didn't continue, I'm sure. They'd rather have the characters show up in films than on the weekly tv show...

[Wing Zero]

Well I haven't watched it yet but from the trailers that were leaked, I don't think Aquaman looked like it was particularly damaging the property. I actually gained a slight interest in Aquaman thanks to the show being developed. Maybe WB sees that Smallville may need a replacement down the road and hopes this may be it? Or perhaps they heard it was generating a buzz on the internet. I'm just glad the pilot is available outside of a WB building now.

[Noukon]

But I thought the show was axed...? Why release something online that's damaging to a WB/DC property? I mean, that's part of the reason why Birds of Prey didn't continue, I'm sure. They'd rather have the characters show up in films than on the weekly tv show...

Immediate profit?

[TheMecca]

I'm gonna skip this thanks, the trailer was bad enough.

[Nobuyuki sama]

Immediate profit? I don't know about that, but offsetting the loss is certainly possible.

From http://playlistmag.com/weblogs/ipodblog/2006/07/metallica/index.php (Oh yeah, did you know Metallica's finally on iTunes as well? :) )


Studios make a lot of pilots each year that, for one reason or another, don’t get picked up by TV networks. Add that the number of shows that are put on television schedules, only to wind up cancelled with unaired episodes gathering dust on somebody’s shelf. I can’t help but think that the success of Aquaman at the iTunes Music Store—as I write this, it’s the No. 1 video download (http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewTopVideos?id=1)—might make TV executives rethink how they handle discarded shows. I’m not suggesting that cancelled programs could be revived with original content produced solely for iTunes—the economics of TV production just wouldn’t allow for that. (bolded for emphasis- N.) But as a place for depositing unaired episodes, failed pilots, and other curiosities—iTunes could serve that purpose very well. It would also allow TV studios to recoup some money out of programming that would otherwise never see the light of day.

And as the members of Metallica will tell you, it’s a lot better making your own money with digital downloads than watching someone else do it.

[Wing Zero]

Looks like Aquaman shooting up the iTunes Video charts has been noticed by some mainstream media:
http://www.eonline.com/News/Items/0,1,19587,00.html?tnews

Just watched the pilot and I enjoyed it. It's not like this is some revolutionary show but it matches Smallville(durings its up times) in quality. Each cast member fit their roles well and didn't seem out of place.

Justin Hartley did an excellent job being Aquaman vs. the guy who guest starred as him in Smallville. Lucky for him he gets to be Green Arrow and hopefully maybe Aquaman again someday. I liked Ving Rhames as A.C.'s mentor, whenever he came on screen you knew he meant business. I think the girl who played Kara in Smallville was in the show too at least it looked like her.

The special effects were well done for the most part. The underwater scenes were very nice to watch and were done with great care. It's too bad this didn't become a series and I'm sure many of us do wish it had been picked up. Incidentally I've been reading on other forums that it might still be a mid season contender. Not really sure if that's true or not but I hope it is. I recommend anyone interested in this pilot to download it, the 2 bucks is worth it.

[sdp]

2 dollars for the pilot? is it the same one that was on youtube?

that may not sound as much but its a rip off counting you can buy a full episode for that ammount.

at least if it does good it could mean the idea being picked up again.

[Noukon]

2 dollars for the pilot? is it the same one that was on youtube?

that may not sound as much but its a rip off counting you can buy a full episode for that ammount.

at least if it does good it could mean the idea being picked up again.

"Pilot" refers to the full-length first episode of the series, not a trailer.