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Score: 9.3 Superb 38 votes

The Ferguson Syndrome

Episode Number: 1    Season Num: 1    First Aired: Monday January 27, 2003    Prod Code: 101
Paul Callan works as an investigator of miracles for the Archdiocese of Boston. Growing weary of his job and the tests it places on his faith, he takes a leave of absence and travels to Arizona to work on an Indian Reservation.

While there, Father Calero calls him and asks him to investigate a young boy, Tommy Ferguson, who supposedly has the power to heal others. Skeptical at first, Paul meets with Tommy and witnesses his abilities. He discovers that the young boy is dying, and that every time he heals another, his own health deteriorates. He also learns that his path and Tommy's are somehow inexorably linked.

When Paul is in a potentially fatal car crash, Tommy uses his power for the last time, and gives his own life to save Paul. As Tommy heals him, Paul sees the words, "God Is Now Here" written in his own blood.

His faith renewed, Paul returns to the church but the Monsignor dismisses his findings, causing him to resign. Paul is then approached by a stranger named Alva Keel who tells him that he is not alone in his experience. There have been 6 others who witnessed hemography, but they instead saw the words, "God is Nowhere." Keel urges Paul come to work with him at Sodalitas Quaerito, an organization devoted to searching for the truth.

Cast and Crew

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Writer: Richard Hatem, Michael Petroni
Director: Richard Hatem, Matt Reeves
Star: Hector Elizondo (Father 'Poppi' Calero),  Marisa Ramirez (Evelyn Santos),  Skeet Ulrich (Paul Callan),  Angus MacFadyen (Alva Keel)
Guest Star: Blair Wingo (Young Woman),  Patrick Shining Elk (Kyle Eaglewest),  David A. Kimball (Priest),  David Coprita (Charles Coombs),  Scott Allan Campbell (Robert Ferguson),  Phyllis Lyons (Olivia Ferguson),  Jacob Smith (Thomas 'Tommy' Ferguson),  Tamara Taylor (Dr. Linda Qualey),  Sybil Temchen (Kate Armstrong)

Notes

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Had over 10 million viewers. (edit)
Although it's not certain, it seems as though the church in which Tommy's funeral is held is the same church used in one episode of the WB's Charmed ("Marry-Go-Round") and in FOX's 2005 supernatural drama Point Pleasant. (edit)
Hector Elizondo is also known for his roles in The Princess Diaries and CBS's short-lived futuristic law drama Century City. (edit)
Jacob Smith, who plays Tommy Ferguson, has guest-starred in several series, including the 2002 ABC series, Push, Nevada and the hit CBS series Without A Trace. (edit)
The character of Tommy Ferguson returns later in "Little Miss Lost" and "Paul is Dead". (edit)

Quotes

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Paul: Maybe we're on our own down here.
Poppi: Paul, this job is a test of the faith. (edit)
Tommy: You don't have parents?
Paul: Everyone's got parents. I just never knew mine. (edit)
Kate Armstrong: I think miracles are like falling in love. You never believe it can happen until it happens to you. (edit)
Tommy: In school, they say there's no such thing as dark. Dark is just a place where there is no light. But maybe they're wrong.
Paul: What do you think?
Tommy: I think that the dark is it's own thing too. I think it can do stuff. And sometimes, I think it wants something. (edit)
Paul: Why would God do that?
Alva: (slams fist on table.) Who said it was God? (edit)

Trivia

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During the scene near the end between Paul and Alva, the song playing on top of the conversation is Knockin' on Heaven's Door by Bob Dylan. (edit)
It is revealed that Paul is a Boston Red Sox fan. (edit)
According to Richard Hatem in one of the commentaries, The end of the episode where Alva slams his fist on the table and says "Who said it was God?", the table slamming had not been in the script and that Paul's reaction was real. No one had any idea that Angus was going to do that. (edit)
The "premature" baby the hospital sends over initially has a full head of hair. Then the shot cuts to Tommy holding a bald baby and it's smaller. Then in the subsequent shot the hair is back again. (edit)

Allusions

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The nickname of Father Calero, "Poppi", might be an alusion to the 1976 show with the name Popi, in which Hector Elizondo played the lead role. (edit)
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Community Reviews (3)

 
8.7
Great
The Ferguson Syndrome
"Pilot episode"
Paul Callen is a priest who investigates miracles. When he decides to take a leave due to a question of faith, he investigates a young boy. Tommy's powers push Paul to the edge.
Continue » Posted Aug 7, 2007 10:42 am PST
10.0
Perfect
The Ferguson Syndrome
"Pilot episode"
A wonderful start to the series
Continue » Posted Mar 1, 2006 8:54 pm PST
10.0
Perfect
The Ferguson Syndrome
"Pilot episode"
One of the best pilots. Ever.
Continue » Posted Sep 18, 2005 12:55 am PST
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Episode Vital Stats

 
Episode: The Ferguson Syndrome
Season Number: 1
Episode Reviews: 3
Episode
Score:
9.3 Superb 38 votes
Rating Statistics:
superb: 17 (44.7%)
perfect: 12 (31.6%)
great: 7 (18.4%)
good: 2 (5.3%)
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