John from Cincinnati Series Review

John from Cincinnati (2007)

Season 1 - 10 episodes
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Created by: David Milch, Kem Nunn
Starring: Bruce Greenwood, Rebecca De Mornay, Austin Nichols, Ed O'Neill, Luke Perry, Keala Kennelly, Luis Guzmán, Willie Garson, Matt Winston, Garret Dillahunt, Brian Van Holt, Jim Beaver, Greyson Fletcher, Dayton Callie, Paula Malcomson, Emily Rose, Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Jennifer Grey
Rated: TV-MA

Plot
In the coastal town of Imperial Beach, California live three generations of Yosts: surfing royalty with a family curse until a stranger arrives.

Verdict
It's no surprise this only got one season. A simple stranger with supernatural powers infiltrates the lives of the dysfunctional Yost family. Without knowing John's purpose, other than to generate plot lines, and the comically shallow characters, there just isn't much to this show. John is the most interesting, but that's only because he's a child like, Christ character that's completely underdeveloped. With this season, his only purpose seems to be reuniting this surfer family. I was never sure if the show wanted to be a comedy or a drama. It dabbles in both and it frequently feels like the characters are acting like their characters instead of inhabiting them.
Skip it.

Review
Milch is best known for creating NYPD Blue (1993) and Deadwood (2004).

The series focuses on the Yost family, comprised of three generations of surfers. They're facing hard times as surfing popularity has waned. Patriarch Mitch (Bruce Greenwood) has become disillusioned with the sport despite running a surf shop. Butchie (Brian Van Holt) is a washed up former star basically living on the street, but Butchie's son Shaun (Greyson Fletcher) who lives with Mitch has great potential and hopes to get sponsored.

E2: Brian Van Holt, Austin Nichols play Butchie, John

John (Austin Nichols) appears out of nowhere. He's easily the most interesting and mysterious character. He's drawn to Butchie who initially sees him as some kind of mark of which he can take advantage. John repeats what others say, devoid of his own thoughts, but he can also produce whatever is needed given the situation when asked to empty his pockets.

At the end of the first episode, John has brought the Yost family together to one spot but why?

E9: Austin Nichols, Greyson Fletcher, Brian Van Holt, Chandra West play John, Shaun, Butchie, Tina

Characters begin to realize something is different about John. Butchie isn't dope sick, Shaun breaks his neck and miraculously recovers, and Mitch begins to float sporadically. John seems mentally deficient, parroting what people tell him, but sometimes there is information embedded in his ramblings. Initially it seems like his purpose is to help the Yost family, but as the season progresses he's bringing the community together. John is this Christ figure, cryptically talking about his father and the word, but towards the end of the season his miracles consist of producing whatever he needs and astral projection. His ultimate purpose remains unclear. After Shaun recovers, he and John disappear.

It's an odd premise, but the characters just aren't interesting enough.  In the final episode John and Shaun surf back into the show, though it's unclear where they've been. John is a savior, but to what end? Is it just for the Yost family? In future seasons would he have surfed into the lives of other families? This leaves so many questions open. That and a lot of characters waiting for their moment that never comes means I was relieved when the final episode concluded.