Why cancel Eli Stone when it’s starting to get so good?

Friends, I am pissed. Once again a network has closed its eyes, spun around three times, and randomly pointed to a series of shows that, while extreme fan favorites, they have decided to let go. In this particular case I talk about Pushing Daisies, Dirty Sexy Money and, my personal favorite and yours, Eli Stone. Okay, they haven’t said Eli was canceled outright but, by not ordering the remaining nine episodes for a full season, the writing is on the wall.

Thing is, the show was getting better. The changes that were taking place signaled a new chapter in the series that posed all sorts of potential storylines. The characters, who we thought we knew last season, were becoming more defined. In addition, the heart and spirituality of the show, Eli Stone’s cornerstone, were getting stronger each week.

To prove my point, let’s review some of the comings-and-goings that took place during the last two outings of the show.

The split-up of WPK: It was bound to happen — the break-up of Wethersby, Posner and Klein. There was too much bad blood between the partners for the firm to survive. That, and Jordan owned the building, which made it easier to kick them out. When the dust settled we had two new law firms to serve the San Francisco area: Wethersby, Stone and Associates, and Posner & Klein.

If you examine this in the spiritual environment that surrounds the show, you are looking at the division between good and evil, at least when it comes to the owners of each firm. Posner and Klein say they are looking out for the good of their clients, but all they really want is the money, power and prestige that comes with the role. Jordan and Eli, while they need the money, are looking at actually doing good for their clients to make the world a bit better. Like good and evil, there was definite potential for both of these law firms to meet in the courtroom battleground on a regular basis.

Matt and Maggie: Sometimes, people good people end up in Hell. That’s the case for our friends Matt and Maggie. Oh, you think Matt is an arrogant prick? Well, at the beginning of the show he was. Lately, though, he has become more likable; probably due to his relationship with Taylor. In fact, in the last case he chaired with Eli, before moving over to Posner & Klein, Matt was downright sensitive.

Unfortunately, he didn’t like the feelings he had when he handled the immigration case and that was his reason for moving over to the “Dark Side.” Though it was an unusual decision to make, I admired Matt for admitting the truth to Eli because, being the person he is, he could have just chalked it up to a one-time thing and been smart about it. Instead, it gave us some insight into the real Mr. Dowd. Plus, it paved the way for a return to Eli’s firm sometime in the future.

As for Maggie … well, we know why she had to move. The pain of the love she has for him was just too great for her to stay. Yet, she really hasn’t been welcomed with open arms to P&K. With Maggie and Matt taking on Eli in court next episode it will be interesting to see if she remains with the firm (as one of Eli’s visions predicted) or she is lured back to the good side of things.

Talyor’s baby: Ah, the potential turning point in Taylor and Matt’s relationship. What could have made this interesting — if the show lasted beyond 13 episodes — is how Matt would react to the news. I could see him being angry at first because, well, Taylor should have been smart enough to realize when she was and wasn’t ovulating (unless it was done on purpose, which could have been another interesting revelation). But, already seeing his vulnerable side come out, I could see him being a very committed father. Hopefully we’ll get to see some of this take place before the second season end come the beginning of 2009.

Patti and Keith — We know about them, but we really never knew them, did we? Now, we are getting some background on these two characters. For instance, Patti has a grown daughter who, unfortunately, seems to be having some issues that will come to legal fruition in the coming weeks. Keith, meanwhile, has a younger brother who he is trying to keep from dropping out of high school. He is also connected to Patti’s daughter in both a romantic and, very soon, legal way.

Eli Stone– The visions are the same, if not a bit more direct and imaginative, but his role in the new firm isn’t. It is now a firm with his name on it. That comes with some additional responsibility he never really had. Oh, he had to get some clients on his own before the firm’s split. But, there was usually a very active pool of dedicated WPK customers that he could pull from when needed. Now, he must actively search for new business and prove to them that Wethersby, Stone and Associates is the firm on the right side of the law.

With this change of status also comes a change in the way he is dealing with his visions. For one of the first times on record, he decided to ignore what the visions were telling him and pursue a client with somewhat questionable traits. The initial result was a success. The consequences, on the other hand, weren’t what he expected. Dr. Chen reminded him that not listening to a message from a higher power could be trouble (he used Moses and the burning bush as the example), but Eli ignored it. It seems like the emancipation case he takes on in next week’s episode will be one of the consequences of that denial.

So, what can be done to save Eli Stone? Petitions to the network, of course. Letters and blogs making recommendations on what ABC should do (like change the day and time of the series) can help as well. But, for the most part, just continuing to fight and comment on the show is one of the best ways for the network to hear from the fans on how disappointed they are that the show may not go any further than 13 episodes. So, make your comments known here and at The Eli Stone community board over at abc.com. Hopefully, we can make the network execs see the light.

Clacked by Richard Keller
on Nov 28, 2008 @ 16:00 EST5EDT