This series had a great potential as the cases were rather original, the actors were fine and at the time that it was aired, I could not see any reason for it not to last. Retrospectively, I understand that the fact that all the episodes of the first season are the title of a song by the late George Michael, as the main character is a fan, and so is the creator of the show, could have left those who aren´t undifferent. Also, it is true that although the cases in court are interesting, the plot of the lawyer who buys himself a second chance to do better as a major change in his life has occured is rather predictable. This being said, this show was pleasant to watch so I think it is a bit unfair that this one got cancelled.

You might recall Quantum Leap where Scott Bacula leaped into the bodies of characters with the instruction he had to do some good so he might make another leap in the hope he would make the leap home. In the case of Eli Stone you have an attorney with a brain aneurysm who instead of leaps has hallucinations that lead him to legal cases in which he has to do good but he is never sure what good it is he has to do. Of course there is no clear indication if he does enough good his inoperable aneurysm will become operable and thus stop the hallucinations in which case he can once again become the rainmaker for his legal firm he once was.So if you were a fan of Quantum Leap, you might like this.

Eli Stone is a legal drama with divine inspirations. While the first season is enjoyable it soon becomes clear that the divine is simply a substitute for formula.The character of Eli is played by Jonny Lee Miller with doe-eyed insecurity. Miller does possess some acting talent and he can translate inner turmoil but what he is missing is a chemistry with any of the actors cast around him.The first realisation that this essential chemistry is missing is with the relationship between Eli and his legal secretary played by Loretta Devine. This relationship while intended to be mutually loving while disguised in bravado is totally unconvincing. This lack of chemistry continues with Eli's frosty relationship with Natasha Henstridge and the forced friendship between Eli and Dr. Frank Chen played by James Saito. The first season is intriguing because Eli's visions are unstable and the question often arises as to what is causing these visions besides a brain aneurysm. The penultimate episode of the first season establishes the fact that Eli is in fact receiving divine premonitions that he must then act upon. The earthquake in San Francisco is a validation of that Prophet status. One would assume, after such a miracle, that religious movements would be clamouring to claim him as their own. Eli Stone is perfect Prophet material because he is a white upwardly mobile lawyer rather than, say, a poor disenfranchised black.The final episode of Season One almost redacts the fact that Eli has saved so many lives by predicting an Earthquake. Few ever question if Eli's premonitions are in fact evidence of a divine power but rather continue to be ready not to heed his proved premonitions.Season 2 is a more formulaic and convoluted affair. The quality of the episodes do take a considerable nose-dive as the visions are rationalised as divine intervention. The series begins with Eli again using these visions to save lives but those closest to him continue to disbelief his premonitions in the face of compelling evidence. Soon a "Quantum Leap" approach becomes more frequent as Eli wakes up in the body of another to receive some message that he must then solve during the course of the episode. The acceptance that the divine is "directly" influencing peoples lives on earth through a miracle working prophet defeats the confusion within Eli and renders the show less intelligent or compelling. Could not the divine powers be battling over the control of Eli, so that sometimes he receives visions that are intended to destroy him or others?These constant visions do nothing to alter Eli's character. He is essentially the same as the Eli that appeared in episode one. Surely, Eli's wisdom and depth would have grown considerably with all this divine insight?Eli Stone as a legal TV show is beholden to David E. Kelley. Many of the cases are versions of ones already tried on The Practice or Boston Legal, such as Monkeys in love, young soldiers dying in Iraq or honour killings in Pakistan. What is clear from the writing in Eli Stone is the lack of wit and brilliance that Kelly so readily injects into his shows and characters.One unfortunate aspect of watching both seasons is seeing how the face of the beautiful Natasha Henstridge is altered by the use of cosmetic procedures. Some of these procedures only make the face less expressive and give the actor a look of being puffy and distorted. Please will actors stop this disturbing obsession and grow old gracefully along side your fans.Maybe the acknowledgement of God, rather than leaving the idea ambiguous, will alienate some of the audience while attracting others and so render Eli Stone the equivalent of Christian rock music.

Best show ever. For the likes of me who can't stand "Grey's Anatomy" and "Desperate Housewives", or even 2 episode its all I can take of "Lost" over hyped. Finally a show my girl and I can both agree on. Rumours are the show was canceled by ABC after 2 seasons. A shame as we were really getting into it. The characters the plots, we truly liked every single episode. We become so addicted that we almost watch season 2 on one Sunday alone. Character of Eli Stone is untouchable, but keep an eye on the secretary she is fire. The show can offer so much more. Please let there be Eli Stone Season 3. Watch it and you will not regret it.