Pan Am

I've never submitted a review to IMDb, though am a screenwriter and have my own film review blog ... but the two negative reviews of "Pan Am" compelled me to put in my own two cents.

Too much in America, viewers want TV that doesn't make them think (one reason reality shows are so popular) - but even I was surprised by the negative review here that was partially due to the multiple story lines for the "Pan Am". I was easily able to follow all the story lines and characters, and thought the show captured the period (via costumes, music, props, etc.) MUCH better than, say, something like "The Playboy Club". So, SO many people are obsessed or intrigued by the 1960s era, it's a real shame the reviewer who naively put this show down to appealing only to those who go to bed by 10pm was completely clueless that this series has a broad-based appeal for all ages, thanks to story lines and character.

And how, from one pilot episode, can one reviewer make the judgment that this would make a better miniseries? "Pam Am" is excellent in writing, acting, characterization and settling you right into 1963. Worth your time, and I hope following episodes can continue with this quality.

I hate to admit it, but I can see why this warm, funny, sexy show was cancelled so quickly. The klutzy comedy totally clashes with the soap opera style sex and the amateurish Cold War spy stuff. But it's really astonishing to see Margot Robbie as she was ten years ago, a total unknown. Her raw talent is incredible, plus she has the curves and whispery innocence of Marilyn Monroe, the regal bearing of Grace Kelly, and the wide-eyed comic timing of Mary Tyler Moore!

...but a bit disappointed nonetheless. I watched the first season (while it was still available for free online), and while I was interested in some of the characters and story lines, I felt that it just missed the mark somehow. The story lines seemed kinda cheesy, like a daytime soap opera. What it comes down to, I think, is the writing just wasn't there. It was a great idea for a series, but I think they would have needed to bring in different writers to make it work. Or tried to make it a completely different kind of show, like a comedy. But as it was, the type of drama it was, just didn't work very well. Obviously. Take the lesbian element for example. That was just kinda odd. And the other romances/dalliances were just melodramatic, lacking any real depth or interest.

Having flown Pan Am dozens of times from the late 1960's to the mid-1980's, I found the visuals of the show to be right on the mark. Yes, the stewardesses walked gracefully in formation through the airport terminal and all heads turned. Their uniforms, hair and posture were perfect. They were worshiped as goddesses by young men and idolized and envied by young women. Pan Am does a terrific job of portraying this image accurately. The first episode (pilot) attempts to set the table for the following episodes by introducing the viewer to the main characters - Maggie, Collette, Laura, Kate and the mysterious Bridgette. I think that is all the first episode needed to do. The first episode left enough unsaid to make this viewer tune in next week.

Good old fashioned "escapist fun". That was ABC's forte back in the day. "Fantasy Island", "Love Boat"...shows like this took you away from your standard drama show. And in some ways "Pan Am" does just that.

No, there's no schlocky comedy or anything along those lines, but you go back to a day and age where flying was glamorous, and there was an air of 'excitement' in faraway places. I'm, just a little too young to recall travel like we see on the show, having been born in 1961... My first flight wasn't until the late 60's and by then jet travel was almost the norm than the exception...and then deregulation came along and flying was more a chore than an event to look forward to.

I agree with another poster who thinks the flight crew is a little young. The "jet boys" tended to be a little older. I recall when the pilots of the planes I flew were all old WWII pilots, all in their late 50's or so when I flew through the 1970's...

Aside from THAT, I have very little to grouse about.

Should this show have really great legs and last a while, it'll be interesting to see where we go as Pan Am's fortunes were at their peak in the 60's, but the decline began as the 70's arrived.

Good show. Good Job, ABC!