Todd Vanderwerff

What to say of Jake 2.0, a mostly undistinguished program which sits in one of the most competitive time slots in all of television – 8 p.m. on Wednesday?

One could say that it’s a pleasant enough diversion, not terribly taxing on the brain.

One could also add that it offers a charming cast, led by veteran bit player Christopher Gorham, that grows on one while the show fills out its hour with spy adventures that seem positively whimsical.

One could perhaps even discuss the show’s potential, since its show-runner is David Greenwalt, a man who was instrumental in the easy charms of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel and Miracles.

But the fact remains that the show doesn’t do enough to make you want to come back for more. And when you’re in a deadly timeslot, that’s, well, deadly.

Think back to the Alias pilot. In that show’s premiere, the main character found her fiancee’s body, discovered she was working for the enemy and found out her father was a spy too. It was an emotionally charged piece of work. Jake 2.0, which so badly wants to be Alias with a man, is not.

Still, the show merits a passing grade for being enjoyable and providing a few small laughs. If you’ve got nothing better to do, Jake 2.0 could be the show for you!

3 stars