The Listener (2009–2014) User Reviews

Pretty good addition to "psychic" TV shows

[Vic_max · 7/10 · 24 July 2009]

There's Medium, Ghost Whisperer, The Mentalist, Psych ... and now this. It's pretty cool that the creators were able to find an untapped niche in this crowded space.

The lead character, a paramedic, either voluntarily "reads" thoughts of others or involuntarily "receives" strong thoughts/emotions. His limitation is that he can only do it when in their presence and only gets what's currently in their mind.

On the plus side, the tone is serious, the acting is good and the stories are mostly interesting. On the negative side, the female police detective is entirely uncredible and a bit of pain to watch. Her character is written to present resistance to the psychic (she doesn't want his help), but the situation is ridiculous (even given a later disclosure of why). She knows what he can do and he regularly presents her with relevant, critical information ... but she still doesn't want his help. It's a poorly conceived attempt at creating tension and challenge.

Even so, the show is worth watching. Like Medium, getting bits of information and then figuring out how to extract the bigger story is an interesting thing to watch. While the writing isn't quite as good as Medium, it's still pretty good.

The Listener episode reviews

[RikerDonegal · 7/10 · 5 June 2009]

Episode 1. Pretty good start. I immediately liked the hero (Craig Olejnik is perfect casting) and I was entertained not only by the story, but by the way the story was told.

Episode 2. I like it. The don't overuse the gimmick and - when they do use it - the use in in an intelligent way. The cast are great. The cop is written as being very smart and the hero is written as often being wrong. So, it's interesting to watch them working.

Episode 3. Craig Olejnik is a great leading man. He sells the idea of hearing people's thoughts and he's very likable and sympathetic. He's got that whole wounded dove thing going on, yet he's Alpha Male enough to carry to mild action sequences. Ennis Esmer is a great sidekick. Very likable and funny. He should get more screen time. Lisa Marcos is crazy hot.

Episode 4. It's not a bad show and the elements that I like... I really like. So I'm gonna stick with it. It's light entertainment. A fun, summer show.

Episode 5. The best case-of-the-week for Toby so far. The twist at the midpoint really surprised me, and made the episode more interesting. Toby's powers are, when you think about it, pretty useless to him. They never tell him anything useful. The show's real strength are the scenes between Toby and his best friend. Great writing and acting/chemistry make for some hilarious and believable scenes of a friendship.

Episode 6. I like the angle of the hero who cares about people he meets and wants to butt into their lives and help/save them. It's the whole Pretender/Early Edition thing, I suppose. Toby keeps running around getting involved in stuff that has nothing to do with him. He's a goodie-goodie. Like Tru on Tru Calling he knows stuff that he shouldn't and he uses that knowledge to try and save lives and stuff. I dig that stuff. It makes him a very old fashioned TV hero.

Episode 7. Michelle Adams gives a terrific performance as the girl with the powers. She brings a great sense of being 'above' everything to the role. Just like Craig Olejnik, really, who makes a fantastic lead.

Episode 8. Flawless. The first episode to nail the show's formula to perfection, and the first superb episode.

What did they get right? Toby's powers were useful and without them there would have been no story. Each use of the power (a) advanced the story, (b) was funny, (c) led to a character moment, (d) was genuinely cool/interesting.

They created a strong/excellent b-story for the underused Mylene Robic. Charlie was well-written and dynamic and heroic. Lisa Marcos was sexier than ever (my god, but she is crazy hot and I'm borderline obsessed) and she showed considerable acting chops, too.

Episode 9. For the second week in a row, the show excels in giving all four regulars an abundance of good scenes and Olivia gets a really good subplot for the second week in a row.

Even better, the show seems to have gotten a complete handle on Toby's powers and has figured out a way to show/use them that is interesting, cool and logical.

Episode 10. Mid-way through the season, The Listener completely hit it's stride and started to deliver superb episodes. This is yet another superb episode.

1. Toby's powers. The show has totally figured out how to use Toby's powers in a way that is totally cool, and totally serves the stories and makes them far more interesting.

2. Oz. Without making it a stated aim of the script, the show has found a way to show us how Toby's friends 'use' him and his power.

3. The story. It's a cracker of a tale from start to finish.

4. The twist. I love stories with a twist, and I love shows that opt to end their episodes on a downbeat note.

5. Mylene Robic/Olivia. She didn't have as much screen time in this episode, as in the previous two, but I really love her and Toby as a couple.

Episode 11. Another strong case-of-the-week, with lots of cool touches involving Toby's powers and the regular characters. The show has nailed it. They know how to tell stories and use Toby's powers in an intelligent way. All uses of Toby's powers are cool, now. And they either advance the plot in some tangible way or they provide nice moments of insight into the characters in the stories. Class.

Episode 12. Another great episode. Why? It's a novel way of telling the story. There are multiple new ways to use Toby's power shown in the episode (a woman appears behind him, at one point). The actual identity of the killer is impossible to guess. All four regular characters are getting quality screen time. There's a great subplot with the great Gordon Pinsent playing a guy who knows about Toby's past.

The final scene/shot is great, too.

Episode 13. The Listener is an usual series. All episodes were case-of-the-week driven, but the first seven episodes were flawed and uneven. From episode eight onwards, while still being case-of-the-week driven, the show became superb and flawless. The show figured out how to make Toby's powers cool and interesting, and the show also figured out how to use the powers to enhance the story in unusual ways. Good writing and good acting and the added bonus of an intelligent way of using Toby's powers.

I desperately want a second season. But not for the backstory, they haven't made me care enough about the backstory and there are more than enough shows out there about lone heroes up against mysterious conspiracies. No, I want a second season because this show has turned into something that delivers A+ stories every single week and the hero, his powers and the cast are very cool.

I'd like to see more

[nccblue · 7/10 · 27 June 2009]

I have only seen four episodes so far but I plan on watching the rest of the season. I think this has the potential to be even better if given the opportunity. There is no limit to where the storyline can go.

As the episodes progress I have seen more character development. It takes time to build on a new character's background. What's the fun in knowing everything about them in the first episode? There is also the possibility of a villain surfacing sometime in the future.

It is refreshing to watch something other than crime, courtroom, and hospital dramas. I would like to see some people being saved for a change.

Where are the DVDs of season 2, 3 and 4?

[esther-s-schmidt · 7/10 · 17 September 2013]

I really like this show. OK, it's not overly fast-paced and has a few plot holes - but it does have a lot of heart. I enjoy the interaction of the main characters (esp. Oz) and the slow unfolding of the back-story. The end of season 1 left me wondering, what we will learn about his fate and his mother. However, this is where I'm stuck now.

WHERE IS THE SEASON 2 DVD?!

You're 4 episodes in, so it's about time to bring 2 and 3 out on a disc. Does nobody think about the poor European viewers? Do you really want to force me to ask a friend to download the episodes from some illegal platform? Come on! I'm ready to spend money - so give me a chance!

Loved the beginning. Not so sure about where it's going.

[x-lightning-x · 7/10 · 3 March 2013]

Season 1 was by far the best season for The Listener. It had a very interesting story line and it made the fans ask so many questions. It had me at the edge of my seat. But then it stopped airing for a while and when it came back it was like a whole new different show.

Before it was about the boy with this supernatural power, mind reading, who had no idea how and why he had it, a mysterious past and so many questions unanswered. You'd basically feel what Toby is going through and desperately wait for answers while he saved people.

Now It's about a Hero with super powers who has taken a job in IIB to read people's mind to solve cases.

Not cool. We have enough CSI, CIA, NCIS, CBI, crime teams on TV if we wanted crime solving then we'd watch CIA Miami or Five-0 for the way normal people solve crimes. This show has a boy who can read minds. Where is the fun in that? Go back to your good ol' mysterious past and get into Toby more. No one cares about Michelle and her divorce. We want some Toby action. Please.

If you don't mind being left with a lot of questions unanswered and enjoy average crime solving then watch it. The only reason this show is getting stars if for Season 1.

rocky start but worth the patience

[geckoken512 · 9/10 · 13 June 2009]

I've seen some reviews on this series and kinda noticed most of the bad ones seem to come from North American reviewers and most of the good ones come from the rest of the world... So I thought "what the hell? why not drop half a rainy day on this?".

Like any drama, it takes time to build up enough background to work with (for example Dollhouse). All the actors do an excellent job (esp. Craig Olejnik) and the writing improves as the show goes on. The first and second episodes were OK but the third got me wanting more. I don't know about everyone else but I know I certainly enjoyed it and I hope there will be more in the future.

Well done series with supernatural twist

[rnixon1974 · 7/10 · 9 August 2020]

This show does well with its central premise. Toby has the power of telepathy, and uses it to help the people of Vancouver/Toronto/Edmonton/Ottawa/Montreal. Michelle and Charlie are very good as foils for Toby. Esmer Ennis is a scream as Toby's best friend, Oz.

Just give it a chance

[ivison_1985 · 10/10 · 3 June 2009]

The listener starts off a little slowly with little real character info given to us the viewer it is as though we've been thrown in at the deep end without a float but as the show continues we see more about the lives of the characters and their personalities. Toby Logan is a foster kid bounced from home to home and eventually becomes a paramedic but here's the thing he can read your mind and instead of hiding like he had done all his life he uses his talent to help save people's lives and solve crimes for one of his female counterparts Detective Charlie Marks. This show make take a little bit of time for you to get used to but it is a worthwhile view.

All I can say is this is one for me!

Sadly disappointing

[texuch · 6/10 · 31 July 2014]

They start off the first season by introducing an unorthodox story line featuring Toby, the paramedic who can read minds. They could have easily gone with Toby the police officer, which would have been the logical choice, but they didn't. This added a different dimension to the show that made it refreshing in my opinion. They also introduced a "shrouded" past including a man whom came after his mother trying to abduct him and succeeding in taking his infant brother. This gave the show the needed mystery to get viewers hooked. At this point I would have given this show 9/10. However as soon as the second season started they abandoned the winning formula and turned Toby essentially into a police officer and ignoring all the plot development with his past that they had previously set up. This turn makes this show a disappointment but a worthwhile watch if you are interested in police dramas.

Only watched untill season 3

[carmenblk · 4/10 · 15 September 2021]

Amazing show season one .. was on it way to a classic scifi show and half way through they changed the writers and the direction. Season 2 was okay even with the change but by season 3 this is just a cop show with a mind reader. So much potential WASTED.

Excellent Show

[c_fedun_100 · 9/10 · 22 July 2009]

I was very surprised by the quality of this show. I must admit I just watched it at first because I heard it was filmed in Toronto. After a few episodes, my girlfriend and I were hooked and want more. The show has its action with its splash of comedy on the side added by Ennis Esmer. It is a interesting "Hero-esque" type show where the main character, Toby (Craig Olejnik), must learn to use his powers, which allow him to hear the thoughts of others.

People with powers seem to be in abundance these days, and I really didn't have high hopes for this one, but even after the first few episodes you will see that there is some writing quality in the show as well. Give it a shot. If you're a Toronto local, you will also find it heavily entertaining that this show is not just filmed in Toronto, but the storyline is set here as well. Great show, still waiting on a green light for Season two.

? They missed some episodes?

[michaz-22974 · 7/10 · 5 August 2021]

Umm in season 1 he was working with a female cop - Charlie Marks . Season 2 they just "erase her" with no explanation? She was shot in Ep 12 in S1, but came out and survived, but then they never said what happened to her? Disappointing, she was one of the best characters in the series.

had potential but they screwed up

[nahar34 · 4/10 · 14 May 2011]

The first episode was amazing, since then it only went down hill. From a real character they turned him into a 'superhero' with that blonde police officer- who looks like a high school girl pretending to be a police officer and chasing tough guys with her tiny pistol. In the beginning he struggled with his gift and had problems at work, since he was fighting crime at the same time. Later on, the conflicts went away and he managed to multi task - besides the blonde Barbie, and why do we have to keep seeing that frozen faced x-girlfriend - doctor? If nothing will happen between the two of them-then what is her role? I wonder if they changed writers in this show or just fell asleep.

1st Season: Awesome. Other Seasons: Meh

[scottelginnunn · 7/10 · 12 January 2023]

I absolutely loved this show when it came out as it was 100% different then other cop based shows out their at the time.

It was funny, dramatic, mysterious and had a good story. The fact that Toby (Craig) was an ambulance driver, who could read people's minds and then help detective Charlie solve crimes made the show interesting also included With the introduction of Ray, Frank and Toby's mother all in the 1st season I couldn't wait until thr 2nd season to get answers

Sadly it went on a different route after the first season and those characters were never addressed or talked about again, Basically they got rid of a story that would be interesting and turned it into another cop procedural show with no real continuing on what happened in the 1st season.

My recommendation is watch the 1st season and if you like then skip the other 4 seasons l.

Toby

[waipahu81 · 22 March 2015]

I like the show but I don't like that the unit or the female police officer seems to get all the credit for his help. When they start the new unit Toby ask if he can have a gun they waste no time in saying no. And they give him a desk like you would give a child, no respect is given to him and to be quite honest without him they would not be the best unit and have the money they are getting. In the episode the reckoning she get a award but when ask if Toby got one she gets offended and upset. Question for the writer or creator of this show, why make the characters of the unit he works with feel like they are the ones solving the crimes and he is just a helper. He should be recognized just like in the American TV Show the mentalist, the people he works with knows he is a big asset and lets everyone know he helps out.

where is this heading to ?

[zhazhenzhong-826-358015 · 7/10 · 24 October 2013]

I started to watch this show recently. To tell the truth, I didn't expect much. Initially I thought this is just another streamlined crime solving series by the super being, but it didn't turn out that way.

Instead I see someone exploring on an unique venture, with gift and 'real' life troubles. That interested me like reading a biographical novel. I kinda really like it. But the pace is really slow, I didn't hook up until episode 3.

Actually, later these homicide cases becomes a burden to me. I can't help wondering, why this PARAMEDIC only help victims of crimes. Why he must go to the police station for help in each and every episode.

Despite the stuffed crime scene, and the death of his cop friend, I think season 1 ends well.

Then comes the season 2 which is a full-blown under-the-cover different series. The figure is gradually shedding off his identity as a paramedic. The show is morphing into another per episode crime solving series.

Maybe its the way I appreciated this series had changed. The loopholes suddenly become glaring. I still remember the way the new actress's cat-walking in the passage of a hotel followed by his sneaky assistant in S2E1. Call me lack of humor. Though S1's plots have flows, anyway, Charles still acts like a cop. and this new cat-walking detective is so unbearably fake.

Sadly you have to bear with her, while watching through the second season. Her and her sneaky tech savvy assistant steal more exposure from Toby. And Toby is being detached from his paramedic life. His paramedic setting seems artificially stuffed in there. And the interaction with his friends from season 1 is nearly set to be redundant.

I haven't watch Season 3. I hope this show didn't morph into an CSI copycat work. If Toby lost his paramedic setting, and becomes the police's exclusive mind reading machine. I kinda lost his show. Screw it!

This is an interesting show.

[calgarywino · 8/10 · 16 August 2010]

So far I have only seen 3-4 episodes but it is different from many main stream shows and seems to have good characterizations and decent writing. The acting is fine and the people seem real, not too pretty, slick or glib. I prefer seeing people who look real and not like models; it is much more believable when there are wrinkles, flaws and wear and tear on the faces. Canadian and British casting seems to be very good for that. The world and time worn Gordon Pinsent is on one episode, he is an underrated and not well enough known actor who adds so much to everything he does. Doubtless his choice to stay in Canada was to his careers' detriment. I hope I am wrong but it looks like this show was not renewed, typical for many very good shows here in Canada, unfortunately. We suffer from a national inferiority complex which means until things are recognized outside our borders we don't really feel like it is "good enough" to merit our support. If the show was renewed I would love to know.

Enjoyable and watchable

[annehazell · 7/10 · 2 August 2019]

I have enjoyed this series, especially the dynamics of the two paramedics. It has enough spirit to keep you watching and characters that viewers can care about.

What If Someone could Read Your Every Thought?

[maine_310 · 9/10 · 3 July 2009]

June 2nd 2009 mapped the finale episode of the Listener, which I formed an overnight attachment to. There are few shows that present a sense of consistency in each episode in the first season, but The Listener put a new spin on things.

I took a liking to Toby in the first episode and I picked up on the shows' concept almost immediately; a guy who hears people's thoughts, but everything isn't quite as visible to the naked eye, even in his head Toby may hear people's thoughts, but his memory is a blur when it comes to his past.

The pilot picked up gradually throughout the episode and presented such chemistry between each character which gave you the feel like you knew them and the friendship between Toby and Oz was unlike non ever and their relationship picked up even more since Oz discovered Toby's ability.

Olivia kind of grew on me actually, I liked the chemistry between her and Toby, but sometimes I felt as though she was the only doctor Toby referred with, but seeing as they dated Toby would make it his priority to always run into her. Their relationship is complicated, but predictable. Toby is a cool guy, but he still has a lot of secrets and probably even holds back at times which could cause the ripple in his relationship with Olivia. I could also understand how they met; he's the EMA, she's a doctor, a few pick up lines upon bonding over patients and that was it, but really, they are both good individuals, not to mention easy on the eyes. Toby probably didn't wow me in the beginning, but he found his way into 'stud' mode in the end and Olivia looks extraordinary when she goes out.

Another potential love interest for Toby would have been Charlie, the cop who Toby often crossed parts with on his dangerous 'hero' complex side. While Toby is solving crimes and reading people's mind, Charlie is behind Toby trying to figure him out. She was the second person to find out about Toby's gift and she reacted with denial, just like Oz, but it felt more like a violation on her part, while Oz took it to be something cool. It left me wondering, What if people could read your thoughts, your boss slams you with an extra work load asking you it's alright and you smile nodding your head, while inside your thinking, Yeah you... anyway I strayed for a bit, but would that be cool or a complete slap in the face. Charlie took a while to get used to Toby's abilities, but I still found it strange in the beginning how trusting she was of Toby. Probably Toby came of as a guy who really had a big heart and made her guilty for every detail she didn't follow through, being a cop she had an obligation to follow. Charlie also had the bad boy appeal to her in the beginning, but we gain a bit of insight into her past which probably explains why she became a cop to begin with.

In the in we are still left with questions. Where is Toby's mother? Really was this the guy she spent running away from? Are there more people out there? Would Toby's abilities grow? What happened to Olivia's sister?

Basically Olivia was the last person to find out about Toby, but she was the only person that believed him on the first say. In fact it made them closer and I'm really growing to love their relationship together. Brian, Charlies boss seem to have something going together as well and the details aren't exactly out there, so I really like that the suspense between them. They obviously dated before and for some reason they began seeing other people, but still manage to go out on the occasion, somewhat like Toby's and Olivia relationship, but at least Toby found his way to make it official.

This one is a new one, very unique, even though it has the Journeyman meet Traveler feel, it still pulls through and I desperately look forward for next season, it looks like it would be a good one.

Five Stars

Not bad!

[luca-119 · 7/10 · 8 October 2021]

It starts slow but then it grows on you, keep watching!

Not much

[jessica-trumbaturi · 4/10 · 28 June 2012]

I have read a few good reviews about the show, but I would have to say it is not very good. It seems to confuse the different "gifts" that he may have. From the beginning it seemed like he was only telepathic, then it seemed he had a couple more abilities than that. That is not my biggest problem though. To me, it is a very boring series that may try to copycat many others. Really, it's just boring. So many time i rolled my eyes. I have never made a review on this website before either. It seems as though they are very picky and critique everything you say. So I would say that a person's opinion does not seem to mean much anymore. Smile and bear it:)

Brilliant Series

[lucasarts-88947 · 8/10 · 26 March 2021]

This is a brilliant series and it's a shame that it ended as it did. They could have done so much more with it.

First season was great. Then it changed. No thanks

[cute_cuddlez87 · 1/10 · 21 July 2020]

I love the idea of a paramedic helping people and hearing thoughts. Love season 1. Then I find out in season 2, Charlie is gone, he's no longer a paramedic and brings down political assassinations and drug lords??? Wtf did you do to this show and why did you feel the need to change it so dramatically?? I'm turning it off after season 1, totally bored now. You ruined a show with a lot of potential. Disappointed !

Written with the story in focus

[gil-roitto · 10/10 · 4 July 2014]

Toby Logan is a paramedic which can read thoughts. The series evolve around him and a few other key characters solving crimes using his ability.

Many shows and movies trying to start from something supernatural, only manages to produce a superficial action/horror/fantasy flick. The interest ends after the idea has been introduced - there is just nothing more to it - just some generic story and actors doing a decent job delivering the lines.

I stumbled onto the third season and immediately had to watch the entire series from the beginning. The Listener has truly engaging characters and a smart story which drives the series. The characters are fun, warm and real. The story is usually quite smart and there is a larger story which is handled throughout the seasons. It feels like a real story told in steady pace without the need to leave cliffhangers.

This beats so much nervous audience adapted crap that is produced today, where the story and characters are changed after each episode after reviewing the ratings and focus group opinions. The writers are not left alone to follow an idea undisturbed to the end - everyone are just nervous and there is no room for artistic talent.

If you like me are soooo tired of nervous cliffhanger series which may be canceled any minute, I truly recommend this show! It's going into the 5th season - watch it from the start and enjoy it and get to know the characters.

Looking forward to Season 2

[cuthillh-1 · 8/10 · 21 June 2010]

I never watch much of anything on network television, but I really love this show. And I'm very pleased to hear that it's going to come back to CTV for a second season - if only I could find the air dates somewhere! It's a good solid well-written SF series with a little humour, a little romance, a lot of action. Each episode also seems to have a plot twist that takes you in a different direction and shakes things up.

This show is Canadian all the way, and unapologetically so. That's one of the things I like the most about it. It's not trying to pass itself off as an American show - there are numerous references in each episode to Canada, Toronto, other places in Ontario, hockey, and other Canadianisms. Keep it coming, CTV!