Touch (2012–2013) User Reviews

A Solid Journey

[AMichaelL · 8/10 · 28 January 2012]

I hate emotional manipulation, and I often see Jack Bauer when I look at Kiefer, no matter his role, so I was skeptical heading into the pilot. I was pleasantly surprised to find a pretty smart show that was hinting at a lot of possibility, without much pretense. Wait, is this really on FOX?! The vibe of this show is all positive, and you can nitpick the logistics and science that they use all you want, most of it is very sound anyways, but you cannot deny the appeal of the show.

The pilot had solid writing, good acting, a unique premise, and was just believable enough to make most people keep watching.

It has a chance to be a very unique platform to break down barriers other shows constantly build up (stereotypes, plot conventions, clichés, etc.)...but time will tell.

Note: I found the second episode even better than the first, and much more realistic in terms of the connections.

Great premise but scattered.

[jenscarbie · 6/10 · 5 February 2012]

I love Keifer. He's one of my favorite actors ever. That kid is phenomenal too. This show could be great but it's as if it's written by a person with a short span of attention on a caffeine buzz. Too jumpy. I wondered why. Then I saw who wrote it and I knew the reason I felt such frustration and affection for the fast forward button. The same guy who reeled me in with such a great cast and story--Heroes--only to dash my hopes and kill my dreams with his lack of plotting ability,was back. Yes, I'm talking about Mr Kring, with his quasi-pseudo M. Knight Shamalamawatchamcallits(I don't care how it's spelled)twists and turns. Those are fine. But, then he loses his focus and chases random plot bunnies into dead end episode arcs that I could care less about at the expense of his good characters. I'll wait before I get hooked on this. Won't get fooled again. Plot bunnies look cute but they are evil!

promising pilot, 2nd episode rather stupid

[janosch1 · 6/10 · 23 March 2012]

being in Germany i stumble upon new series by chance. i watched the pilot and thought "wow, this could really become my new favorite drama series", the plot was unusual, the acting of the kid was great and kiefer nicely interpreted the role of a scared, overwhelmed and caring dad without being cheesy. yes - the social workers choice of words and idea of help for the kid is rather odd, but it altogether promised to be a good series. the atmosphere was mysterious enough, the dialogues, colors, pictures, plotting and scenes were well done. then finally the second episode aired. and I'm very disappointed. kiefers dialogues are stupid (he sounds way too much like ctu), the storytelling isn't nearly as good as it was in the pilot (way too easy to guess whats happening) and the social workers skills are with her looks and not with the kid. the pilot had 8,5 stars, the new episode more around 5. i hope it will get back to the intriguing start!

Why a Bad Review

[gibby-is-me · 10/10 · 20 February 2012]

Touch was NOT! a disappointment, in fact it shows that there are real ideas that can blend reality and fantasy. In the days of reality TV that we are all forced to watch, this was a breath of fresh air. Secondly, the subplots are essential in helping the story to blossom. Without it there would be a break in the flow, and we would be lost. It ties itself together well. Unfortunately there are some people who couldn't understand what the writers are trying to accomplish. Understanding the cell tower idea was not complex. This apex of our technology only seems right to have his son "receive" the information through. Or from another perspective, the only place that he can concentrate with all of the world trying to say that he is handicapped instead of understanding him. There is no reason to review this show poorly. It was a cinematic masterpiece. It took elements from real life and fantasy and made a story line that is amazing and promotes acceptance of people who are different from what we see in every day life. Who wouldn't want to have discovered something so amazing inside a child who seemed "hopeless". If you didn't really enjoy this show than you have lost your sense of mystery. It shows that you would rather open a puzzle box with the puzzle already finished than to discover the picture underneath.

Down hill

[yoshiandtamiko · 6/10 · 18 April 2012]

I can understand why this show has an 83/100 score currently. But I think its gonna end up at around 6 or even 5 if they continue to go in the direction they are going recently.

I just saw the kite episode and found so many thing annoying. When I finished watching with my wife, we looked at each other and the first thing she said was, this was the worst thing she has seen in a long time. At first, I couldn't pinpoint what it was. Well besides the obvious.

Kiefer Sutherland's acting is horrible. He over acts. He is constantly chasing his kid around acting like a moron. Then it always comes to this realization moment where he says, "oh, i see. this is what the kid is trying to say."

I'm getting tired of this formula. Also, suspension of belief needs to be exercised, but I'm just too tired to utilize those muscles for this premise.

I understand the excitement for a show based on some super power kid that can see things nobody else sees but, this is just too much to grasp.

Right now, the best part of the show is the intro song and imagery. I think every episode should have a moment where the boy sees these patterns. Something to ground things on some foundation. But right now, its just him running around aimlessly, but not really. With daddy following him around.

For example, when the boy and the father were in that guys house and the boy was looking at the rose, I think that moment would have been nice to show his perspective of the rose and to then superimpose some sort of white lines or graphical element to show what he sees in that rose and how it is constructed. Like they did with A Beautiful Mind where the main character would look at the world and he would see these patterns emerge as glowing elements. These sort of moments would help me, feel like all this isn't some sort of bad writing chance but rather something that could actually happen in reality.

That's all i have to say about that.

Yoshi

"Touch" Will Touch You

[brent_a_graham · 10/10 · 28 January 2012]

If you love "Fringe" fantasy, you'll love "Touch".

If you love heart warming drama, you'll love "Touch".

And even if you just love seeing Jack Bauer being afraid of heights, you'll love "Touch".

Granted, this review is based on just what I saw in the first episode, but if that is any indication of the future episodes, we are in for a real treat!

Brilliant writing, solid acting (except for the social worker), and a compelling glimpse into what the human condition could be. It all adds up to a ground-breaking show that will capture our attention just as the last show Kiefer was in did.

Nice start but nothing new

[wirfilmfan · 7/10 · 3 April 2012]

It's very hard to separate "24" from Kiefer Sutherland. Every time he says "please" in Ep. 1 or maybe later he'll say "I beg you", it will always remind me to the mighty Jack Bauer.

It feels like watching "24", Mercury Rising (1998) and Crash (2004) combined. Oh I forgot to mention Heroes.

The linking of the characters is very similar to that in Crash. The kid with the ability is similar to Mercury Rising, but I prefer David Mazouz and Kiefer Sutherland's acting performance than Miko Hughes and Bruce Willis'. And the cinematography is "Heroes"-looks.

Joining all together, i can't say it's an ugly story. However i hope that it will get better and better in the upcoming episodes.

TOUCH is the kind of show that could go on for years to come.

[karenahenderson-279-429458 · 10/10 · 30 January 2012]

TOUCH is one of the best TV shows I have seen in a long while. So many completely different stories taking us around the world and weaving it all together in a heart wrenching and wonderful way.

Drama and action mixed with tear jerking emotion. Don't miss a minute of it. I was riveted right to the very end. I cannot wait for the next episode to see what can happen next. The writing is ingenious and put together with absolute perfection. The acting, of course, was exactly what we have come to expect from such as Keifer Sutherland. I would highly recommend TOUCH to everyone who enjoys good television. Give me more please!

Great start - sharp decline..

[robadam-364-283633 · 6/10 · 8 May 2012]

An autistic child, a struggling windowed father, a beautiful social worker, and a far-fetched but clever theory revolving around numbers.

The series has a good set of ingredients, so why is it after 5 episodes I'm struggling to bother watching it? The pilot was excellent; David Mazouz is quite the young actor, the plot was developed at a steady pace, and the twists culminated in some heart-warming stuff. I'm a fan of Titus Welliver (the lottery winner) who appears in the pilot and in Episode Four. I like the producers' fearless forays abroad so far, with a good portion of sub-titled drama happening everywhere from Japan to the Middle East to Africa and on to Canada.

But Kiefer Sutherland is just plain awful. His constantly breathy dialogue delivery is annoying. His rather wimpish lines and lost demeanour are totally at odds with him jumping in front of loaded guns and talking men off high bridges. I've lost count of the number of scenes which have him running after his errant son alternately whispering, shouting and pleading "Jake, Jake, Jake, Jake, Jake".

Danny Glover isn't much better. As a foil to Gibson's nutty Lethal Weapon cop, he was perfect. In Touch, he looks more like a half-wired ex-boxer who can't speak above a whisper.

Still, there's entertainment in trying to work out which of the initial clips' characters will affect which other. Some you can see coming. Others are straight out of left field.

I'll keep watching. But I really wish Sutherland would stop sucking air like a bicycle pump just before he delivers a line.

High concept badly conceived

[SnoopyStyle · 5/10 · 22 September 2013]

Martin Bohm (Kiefer Sutherland) lost his wife in the twin towers on 9-11. He used to be a newspaper journalist, but he's struggling with his life especially his autistic son Jake. Jake is a mute, but he seems to be doing something with numbers that is foretelling events that hasn't happened.

There is a high concept interesting idea, but it's a tiring show. Kiefer is ALWAYS out of breath, always chasing after the kid. It's all too repetitive. The other stories related to the main show are sometimes interesting. They don't always work and they don't really advance the main story. That's probably why that structure was eventually dropped. The second season was a feeble attempt to try to continue a failing show.

Epic

[swapniljain1511 · 10/10 · 29 January 2012]

This pilot has to definitely be the second best pilot ever followed after the Sherlock Pilot.Insane, I mean once the episode had passed certain events I was just in a total awe the way those certain events all got connected to one final event.A must must must watch especially to all Jack Bauer fans and really looking forward to the rest of the season and hoping that it will be as mind-blowing as the pilot. Superb acting, awesome pilot story. Looking like a thrilling ride undoubtedly. The concept is just amazing, its full of surprises. Surely a sitcom that I will be following and will insist others also to have a look at the pilot and be ready to be amazed.

Annoying father's acting ruined the TV show for me

[greenleader · 6/10 · 23 February 2013]

I watched the first series with enthusiasm and interest.

I've grown annoyed by father's character. As it grows, I can't see nothing more than an unintelligent soul in his father who can't grasp he should do what his son commands.

I am getting so annoyed by this character I can't watch it anymore. Almost every episode turns around father chasing son's ghosts and wondering if he should follow the son even though so many times the son proved his miraculous leadership.

I can recommend this to patient people who are not afraid to watch bad characters in action. Scenarist is showing us that people are distrustful to miracles and "chosen" children. Any character that meets the boy does not trust him for too much time.

It's good show, just give more hope and faith to characters. Thanks

Great T.V.

[gcarole89 · 10/10 · 2 February 2012]

I thoroughly enjoyed the preview of Touch! Love the mystery and suspense of watching the story unfold! Supports my theory of our actions(even though we may not know it) directly affecting someone else! The actors are believable. I mean I could really feel the father's pain in both losing his wife and not being able to communicate with his son. We need more t.v. shows that focus on the more caring/spiritual side of life. Someone made the comment that it was similar to Person of Interest, and what's wrong with that. We have tons of "Real Housewives" and "wives" of various genres of sports personalities. What's wrong with more thought-provoking, insightful series like Person of Interest and Touch? I want more!!!!

Should've been a movie not series

[qrpilot · 6/10 · 24 March 2013]

I've watched half of season one. I'm not sure if I will watch the rest of the season/ series unless I have absolutely nothing better to do. Don't get me wrong, I mean I like the series and I think the idea and concept of the show is totally original and interesting, BUT....

After the series pilot which I though was brilliant and capturing, it became evident on the second episode that the show is going to struggle to live up to the same standards or level of Intrigue of the pilot. As the show looses a lot of surprise and mysteries after the pilot, the show mostly and heavily relies on the writers and their creativity and ability to keep the show interesting and captivating with new ideas and plots. This unfortunately would only take you so far before the show stars to be predictable and routine.

For those reasons, I believe this should have been a movie. It would have made a very good one even with the same cast, crew, writers etc... It's still very good, but unfortunately loses momentum. Overall I give it 6 out of 10.

Surprised

[Fbh91 · 9/10 · 29 January 2012]

I wasn't expecting much from this show but I have to say that the pilot episode was a big, pleasant surprise. The concept of predicting the future isn't new but I found it pleasant to be applied in a different way than "save the world", the acting was quite good (though it takes some time to get used at the fact that the man you see on screen is not Jack Bauer) and at least this first episode had great production values showing location all over the world and making them feel quite real (and spoken in their original language). As far as the "connected stories" go I think they where well done and managed the same emotional impact in 45 movies as movies that take 2 hours to have the same effect.

I think it's too soon to call this show a success. The first episode was fantastic but I'm not sure if they will be able to maintain the same quality and engagement during the whole season. I would like this to turn into a big story rather than the "weekly connected story adventure". Still, you should at least watch this episode, even if the show doesn't manage to maintain it's quality this first episode is good enough to be recommended on its own

Wow.

[jennipe · 10/10 · 5 February 2012]

Unique, nothing like it, from the starting sequence to the surprise twists it contains beauty yet does not "contain" it's wildness, it surprise. Makes me feel like TV has finally become what it can be. Wordless boy in a number based world helps viewers imagine paths and links beyond the circumference of their lives, I am sure that it will become challenging for the writers and creators to keep to this freshness, but I feel honoured to watch this primordial episode which is so unique in the current world of television viewing. Keifer Sullivan is always a pleasure to watch, but the other pleasures include the passage of story lines across the globe and into moments that deepen unexpectedly in to despair and then unexpected webs of connection. Yet stays away from glib. It is hard to create a series that match the apocalyptic pulse of our times without descending to the fear pulse that is so often used to either sell or stabilize the appeal of the dramatic content. Tremendously creative photography, editing, directing and script.

OK, but it's a wait-see

[ctomvelu1 · 6/10 · 24 March 2012]

Not to be confused with the Elmore Leonard novel and its movie version, this TOUCH is about a dad and his autistic son. The son can put numbers together in a way to predict future events. Dad gloms onto this fact, and uses that knowledge to help people. Keifer Southerland of "24" fame is the dad. "24" had a gimmick, and so does this show, in that the kid's efforts affect people o a worldwide scale. So we cut to people and events all round the globe. Well written, but too gimmicky for my taste. We'll see how it goes over time. I must admit I was never a "24" fan, although I do like Sutherland well enough. And you have seen this before: Remember a movie called "Mercury Rising" with Bruce Willis? How about "Knowing" with Nic Cage?

TOUCH

[mamacita-61187 · 10/10 · 11 February 2019]

Don't understand whenever there is a wholesome TV Series that does not include violence, nudity, or sexual dalliances, it is considered not TV worthy. What about those of us who have really enjoyed the series. I'm sure I do not stand alone on this. Please bring it back touch with Keifer Sutherland. Love his series, 24, Designated Survivor and Touch.

By the numbers

[petergdownload · 7/10 · 29 January 2012]

In short a great pilot, although I'm left worried that this series will become yet another show that has little place to go after pouring all its creative energy into its first episode. Are we now left with little more than a by the numbers adventure of the week? Touch's premise that everything is connected (and we get to see the dots being joined up) is 'mumbo jumbo' explained by Danny Glover early on and I can't see it being revisited again other than in the opening credits each week. Replace "Fibonacci Sequence" with "Super Computer" and in many ways you end up with "Person of Interest", although Touch does have a few interesting central characters at least.

If Touch can continue to keep us caring about its main and episodic characters (even with a bit of blatant emotional manipulation every now and again) then it might go the distance. But I suspect most viewers will have formed a solid opinion by episode three either way.

Regards

Series should have an identity

[tharindu-ssl · 8/10 · 18 March 2013]

When Touch first came to TV,most of the fans who tuned into the show was 24/Jack Bauer fans.Most of them were disappointed to see Kiefer Sutherland as a guy who is afraid of heights and say some random guy "I care for you".Anyway it held its strength in the first 3-4 episodes with story-line which eventually ended up connecting lives in touching ways.But then it got predictable.I think season 2 has come to correct those mistakes focusing more on the Amelia-Aster Corps-Jake story-line with a different tone to the show where some violence is involved.And Martin Bohm is no longer a weak guy but gets the nature of a detective who is chasing clues and the scene him with guns have thrilled 24 fans who hanged in with the show.But it is notable now that the fans who watched the season 1 for its touching moments losing the interest in the show.So the real challenge for the show to survive is not to lose the identity of the show which it originally meant to.Hopefully it well turn out to be a good show.So far its a good show to watch weekly.

watchable if not thoroughly enjoyable

[malicenbandarlnd · 6/10 · 17 March 2013]

The show succeeds despite the actor formally known as Jack Bauer. It succeeds because the show isn't really about him. It's a mini Traffic/Crash type story where everything is connected per episode and if you don't think about it too much and let the at times sentimental/convenient story sweep you away you'll enjoy it. If you tend towards sentimentality, it might even blur your eyes a little. I do have to say that after the first 3 episodes the coincidences start to strain the suspension of disbelief. Oh and don't a shot every time Jack Bauer yells "Jack!" after his son. You won't make it to work the next day. 6/10 (watchable if not thoroughly enjoyable).

exceptional

[phdagus · 10/10 · 19 February 2012]

I expected something like 24 but it is not. By far it is a typically Kiefer Sutherland series, but with a different flavour. I liked it a lot and from my point it is a "must see". I was also pleasantly surprised by the presence of Danny Glover, he brings more class if possible. If you are looking for a combination of mystery, psychology,and high quality drama than you are in for a treat. I must say that it took me a little bit to follow the action but once I got it, it hooked me. I only have one thing to say against it: why once a month? It is too much time between episodes.I hope this series will follow into the "24" series footsteps. I Have already marked it in the watchlist and looking forward to the next episode.

The ubiquitous Fibonacci

[Marcelo_Dos_Santos · 8/10 · 13 March 2012]

Yet we know that most aspects of our universe are ruled by Fibonacci's series. Mathematics, astronomy, even many biological phenomena obeys this numerical successions.

And the arts. This very pilot, for instance. Constructed as a typical —and a very simple one,— Fibonacci's series, "Touch" tells the story of a man (Sutherland) whose son, autistic, apparently can somehow "see" the Fibonacci's series underneath every single event in our world —or, at least, in the script's world—. Obviously, if you think about it, if you can see the Fibonacci's numbers, since they are fixed and immutable, you always can predict the next number waiting to be generated. And that's it, I just said everything.

From here on (and this is the very beginning of the pilot), the events will develop in very different places and in very different ways, always involving some manner of relationship with Fibonacci's numbers.

An interesting, beautifully written and directed first episode, "Touch" revolves around a basic premise of science: the more we know about the universe, the more unanswered questions raise in our knowledge.

Last but not least, we get some excellent acting from Sutherland, the little David Mazouz and, of course, the big, big Danny Glover.

Worth seeing: If you judge for the only episode I saw (the pilot) yes, without doubts.

Kiefer Sutherland ; NOT a god actor !!!

[susannebondekanstrup · 3 December 2017]

What,s with the breathing and whispering ? Story is damn god, but actors NOT !!! And calling the name JAKE JAKE again and again ? Kiefer pisses me of, and I would like to ser this series with an other actor. Human responces NOT believable, over-acting, and no children would ever connect with eacother without knowing their agenda !!! This is a do-over !!!! Susanne Bonde Kanstrup, Randers Denmark.

Touch Review

[abuiliazeed · 7/10 · 5 April 2014]

i find the idea and the story of each episode is fascinating. yet the dialogue between the characters specially the non Americans are really silly as if it was written by a goat and then ate it and the result after its digestion is the dialogue,

also i sense that this show was written by the republicans i don't know why but the religious content is so damn high. i wish they could make a movie , not like the one with Nicolas cage in it god no we don't want that. i am now in episode 4 it is going pretty well with me i like the plot i hope the show doesn't get boring while we move a long. i hope that you guys watch it , it is pretty awesome