Travelers (2016-2018)

My son suggested that I watch this series on Netflix after we had a discussion about walk-ins. Last night I watched the first 3 episodes, and I think I might continue to do so.

Hundreds of years from now, the last surviving humans discover the means of sending consciousness back through time, directly into people in the 21st century. These Travelers assume the lives of seemingly random people, while secretly working as teams to perform missions in order to save humanity from a terrible future. These travelers are: FBI Special Agent Grant MacLaren, the team’s leader; Marcy, a young, intellectually disabled woman in the care of her social worker, David; Trevor, a high school quarterback; Carly, a single mom in an abusive relationship; and Philip, a heroin-addicted college student. Armed only with their knowledge of history and an archive of social media profiles, the travelers discover that 21st century lives and relationships are as much a challenge as their high-stakes missions.

Written by ahmetkozan on IMDb

On its own this series is reminiscent of Timeless. The difference is this time-traveling team has come back from the future to change time lines in our present, rather than going back to our recent past. It also has a Quantum Leap feel to it, in that the team members have to work out specifics of their host bodies once they’re in them. This can prove tricky, especially for an FBI agent who can’t remember his login password or how to do a half-Windsor knot in a necktie.

And how were the host bodies chosen? By their social media histories. (So, the unspoken message here is to be truthful at all times, otherwise the future generations will think you’re more special than you really are.)

And for each person who has walked-in to these new lives, there is someone around them who can recognize that something is not quite right about them. That’s hard to explain away, even though some of the excuses are reasonable.

The Cast

Eric McCormack as Grant MacLaren (Traveler 3468), the team’s leader, who assumes the life of a married FBI special agent.

MacKenzie Porter as Marcy Warton (Traveler 3569), the team’s medic, who assumes the life of an intellectually disabled woman.

Nesta Cooper as Carly Shannon (Traveler 3465), the team’s tactician, who assumes the life of a stay-at-home single mother.

Jared Abrahamson as Trevor Holden (Traveler 0115), the team’s engineer and one of the oldest humans ever, who assumes the life of a high school athlete.

Reilly Dolman as Philip Pearson (Traveler 3326), the team’s historian, who assumes the life of a college-aged heroin addict.

Patrick Gilmore as David Mailer, Marcy’s social worker and later romantic interest.

There are other recurring characters, whose identities and ‘overshadows’ I will discover in time. In the meantime, there are 34 episodes to enjoy and I’m a tenth of the way through.

If you don’t mind occasional violence and somewhat implausible plotlines, you will enjoy watching this series, especially for all the Vancouver Canada scenery.