Paranormal Investigation series airing on NBC in the spring of 2000. Centered on Marian Kitt, a shy college student in Boston who discovers/is discovered by a small network of psychically gifted do-gooders. She herself was able to communicate with the dead, making her a prime recruit. She and the others (pun intended) were also targets of various evil supernatural forces.
The Others was created by John Brancato and Michael Ferris. Early on, The X-Files/Millennium (1996) veterans Glen Morgan and James Wong were brought in as showrunners. On the plus side, the pair had a playful approach to fantasy and horror conventions, as well as a strong stock company of actors. On the minus side, they had a proclivity to Shoot the Shaggy Dog endings, and oh how The Others got one.
Since the show's untimely end, several of the cast members have enjoyed some degree of success elsewhere. Julianne Nicholson, who played Marian, played Mike Logan's new partner on Law & Order: Criminal Intent. John Billingsley was Dr. Phlox on Star Trek: Enterprise. Gabriel Macht starred in the live action movie of Will Eisner's The Spirit, and currently stars in the USA Network legal drama Suits. Most amusing of all however, is that Zachary Quinto featured in a tiny role in the second episode. The ghost in the first episode was played by Malin Åkerman.
This show provides examples of:
- Apophenia Plot: This was how Warren's power-set worked — he would stumble upon random things, force a connection between them, and then follow "the signs" to where they'd take him. Something of an inverted example considering his methods worked more often than not.
- Be Careful What You Wish For: One episode deals with a demon trying to discover what each member of the Others truly wants in life, and the finale deals with them getting it — though it's not exactly to their liking.
- Can't Have Sex, Ever: Mark and Ellen — whenever they touch each other, lightbulbs and other electrical appliances start exploding.
- Disability as an Excuse for Jerkassery: Albert McGonagle is blind, and frequently makes snide remarks at the others.
- Disability Superpower: Blind seer Albert McGonagle.
- During the War: "Till Then" contains Elmer's flashbacks from World War II.
- "Everybody Dies" Ending: The show ended with all but one character (Albert) biting it.
- I See Dead People: The Series.
- Jedi Mind Trick: Elmer has this ability, and uses it at least once on an interfering flight attendant.
- Magical Negro: Although they ‘’all’’ have psychic powers, Elmer is wiser than the others and often acts as a guide to the younger members of the group rather than getting directly involved.
- Our Demons Are Different: Miles defines them as the spirits of those who've gone to hell.
- Psychic Powers: The basis of the show is a group of psychics using their powers for good.
- Red Baron: Ellen Polaski uses the more mystical-sounding "Satori" in her work.
- The Smart Guy: Miles Ballard. He has no psychic powers but is the most educated of them (at least about the supernatural).
- Waif Prophet: Warren Day is a rare male example.
