The Pretender

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The Pretender ranks 447 out of the 18,229 shows on TV.com.

The 1,438 users who count themselves as The Pretender fans have written a total of 61 reviews.

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Ended

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The Pretender is the story of Jarod, a boy-genius taken from his family as a child. Jarod possesses the ability to quickly learn and impersonate different jobs and occupations. His abductors, a facility simply known as The Centre, tested his abilities through various simulations.

But... more »

The Pretender is the story of Jarod, a boy-genius taken from his family as a child. Jarod possesses the ability to quickly learn and impersonate different jobs and occupations. His abductors, a facility simply known as The Centre, tested his abilities through various simulations.

But after years of these performances, Jarod becomes wise to the fact that these simulations aren't being used to help people. The Centre sells the sims to the highest bidder to do with as they please, whether it is for good or evil purposes. Knowing this, he breaks free from his captors. Now, as an adult, Jarod sets out to find his family. Along the way, he befriends many people, righting any wrong by using his abilities to become anyone he wants to be.

But the Centre has a lot invested in Jarod, and they won't give him up easily. They recruit Sydney, his father-figure and trainer all through his time growing up in The Centre. Sydney is the only man who is close to Jarod, he knows how he thinks. Also in pursuit is Miss Parker, Jarod's childhood friend whose father runs The Centre. Both are aided by Broots, a nervous computer whiz who goes above and beyond the call of duty (whether he wants to or not).

The Pretender ran for four years on NBC. TNT co-produced two Pretender movies with Twentieth Century Fox TV. The Pretender 2001 premiered on TNT Monday, January 22, 2001 at 8PM. The second movie, The Pretender: Island of the Haunted, premiered on TNT Monday, December 10, 2001 at 8PM ET.

Seasons 1-4 and both TV movies are currently available on DVD.less «

• brother and sister??

  I thought it was said that Jarod and Ms Parker were bro and sis OR was it that they had a brother in common? and how is that possible was it Jarod's dad and her mom?? Cannot remember that far back maybe there is a recap I can look at ok well answer if anyone still comes in her please thanks

  I thought it was said that Jarod and Ms Parker were bro and sis OR was it that they had a brother in common? and how is that possible was it Jarod's dad and her mom?? Cannot remember that far back maybe there is a recap I can look at ok well answer if anyone still comes in her please thanksless «

  Sugar2U Last online Sep 27, 2008
  6 comments, last one Apr 12, 2009 + Add Comment

• what episode is this?

  does anyone know what the episode was called where miss Parker, Jarod and Sydny where together in a cabin or something and she had Jarod tied up and she also had a knife??....that's all i remember.

  does anyone know what the episode was called where miss Parker, Jarod and Sydny where together in a cabin or something and she had Jarod tied up and she also had a knife??....that's all i remember. less «

  Mandchu Last online Dec 24, 2007
  5 comments, last one Apr 1, 2009 + Add Comment

• Would you welcome a remake

  As the title say's, would you like to see a broadcaster do a remake of The Pretender, say call it The New Pretender. I...more »

  As the title say's, would you like to see a broadcaster do a remake of The Pretender, say call it The New Pretender. If so then would you welcome a whole new cast, would the original cast come back, are you unsure if it's a good idea, or would you just let the show rest in peace and re-watch the reruns and DVD's. Part of me would love to see this show brought back with the original cast though the other part doe's not like remakes of classic shows and should be left well alone. But let's have a little fun and see your comments. less «

  D-LinkUK Last online 1 day, 22 hrs ago
  10 comments, last one Mar 1, 2009 + Add Comment

•  

  9 Superb

  One of the only original concepts developed into an irreverent and suspenseful TV show. hide « show »

  "The Pretender" was one of the most underappreciated TV shows ever to grace our screens for four years. It had an utterly original concept. A young, isolated genius escapes from an evil corporation (The Centre) and uses his gift to help people whilst attempting to find his family that he was kidnapped from. To the delight of the audience, we watch as Jarod discovers new foods and love whilst uncovering the secrets that The Centre would kill to keep quiet. He is chased by a group of three Centre operatives. Miss Parker, his childhood sweetheart. A hardened woman who was lied to about everything in her life including but not limited to her mother's "suicide", her father's identity and the existence of a evil twin brother. His teacher and mentor Sydney Green, Jarod's father figure who is racked with guilt about his part in Jarod's kidnapping and imprisonment. And finally, computer genius and overall weasal Broots.
  
  I would recommend to everyone to take the time to watch this engaging show which was cancelled just as it began to really came into it's element. It's a disgrace that TNT won't allow the producers to create the movie that would finally answer all the big questions we fans have been asking for eight years.

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  foghorn_clj87 Added Apr 1, 2009 All my reviews
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  10 Perfect

  Jarrod, Ethan, Miss Parker finally get to realise they are family from being imprisoned in The Centre when they were young. Jarrod escapes to lead a continues journey of dodging The Centres sweep teams trying to find who his family are. Fantastic series. hide « show »

  They have to bring this series back it was and still is one of the best series for TV. Their are so many twists and turns and lies through out the Parker Family. The Centre has many secrets and they keep on finding more. Between Angelo an empath Jarrod and Miss Parker Sydney and good ole Broots their are many secrets and truths they unravel through their journey to find the ultimate truth. As children they were brought up in the centre and exposed to tests to produce the ultimate Pretender which becomes Jarrod. This series has to be watched to be believed as the lies and twists are just amazing. Miss Parker becomes the hunter as Jarrod becomes the hunted draw your own conclusion but you need to see this series. Why have they ended it on the fourth series without the whole truth still not known and left as a cliff hanger. Are they ever going to finish this series? I have just finished watching this series and some of it has you in tears and some so angry at what these people do to others its beyond belief and makes you wonder if something like this goes on in the real world. God forbid if it does. I have heard a rumour they may be bringing this series back but I wonder.....Please as I need to know the final truth.

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  Thor_Asguard Added Feb 1, 2009 All my reviews
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  8 Great

  An excellent show of a genius who could be anyone he wanted. hide « show »

  I watched this show when I was young and was enthralled with someone who could be whatever he wanted with just a little bit of research put into play. Every episode that passed I wished more and more that I would find out the secret to Jared's family and learn to who he really was it was quite frustrating but forced me to come back for more. Each show has him pretending to be another person with another profession and solving whomever he comes into contact with problem. It is a show of little violence and I didn't mind this at all.

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  Theophylaktos Added Jan 2, 2009 All my reviews
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  10 Perfect

  They need to bring it back. I need to know how it ends!!!! hide « show »

  I first saw this show at my firends house and was instantly hooked. It is pure brilliance!!!! Though it may be hard to follow if you start in the middle you may catch on quickly to the plot line. The cliffhangers at the end of the movies make me thirst for more. It may sound weird but this show is that good! I want to know what the scrolls said and I definitley need to know if Jarod gets back together with his family! Does Miss Parker ever get away from The Centre? I need closure!!!! I recommend this show to anyone.

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  Linda93 Added Jun 8, 2008 All my reviews
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  7.5 Good

  All in all, The Pretender was a good show that couldn't keep it's potential over the years. hide « show »

  When the Pretender first started out, it was great. It was always suspensfull and had me on the edge of my seat. Then, as the series progressed, it started to go downhill. They reused old episode plots but mixed them around a little. Plus, the whole, figure out the mureder thing gets old fast, so it should have some added in scenes to keep you excited. This is what the Pretender WAS. By the fourth season, it was all to confusing and some characters finally reappeared from the second season. All in all, The Pretender was a good show that couldn't keep it's potential over the years.

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  Daddytrucker Added Jan 9, 2008 All my reviews