Fall 2010 New Show: The Event

Just like you, I'm wondering what is The Event? But more importantly, how long will it be before that question is answered for us? The Event is a new show on NBC starring Blair Underwood as Afro-Cuban American President Martinez who survives an assassination attempt and discovers his own administration is keeping secrets from him. Jason Ritter plays Sean who is looking for his girlfriend who goes missing during a cruise. As he searches for her, he stumbles upon a government conspiracy bigger than the President (trust me, I would never make up that vomit-inducing sentence). Other characters include Laura Innes as political detainee Sophia and - the brilliant - Zeljko Ivanek as a Presidential Aide with something to hide.

I was left confused after the show ended - not the nice confused I felt after a great episode of Lost. More like an unsatisfying episode of Lost. Here's what I gathered:

• President Martinez wants to release non-American detainees held in Alaska. His advisors think he's making a big mistake. He also finds out that his aides are also keeping secrets from him.
• Sean wants to propose to his girlfriend Leila. While on a cruise, he saves a girl - Vicky - from drowning. They start hanging out with Vicky and her boyfriend - Greg. However, Leila disappears before Sean is able to propose.
• Leila's dad - played by Gilmore Girls' Scott Patterson - gives his blessings to Sean. However, Sean figures out that Mr. Buchanan is the pilot who's attempting to crash the plane at the site where President Martinez is located. It's alluded that the masked intruders who invaded the Buchanan home, killed may be his wife, and are holding his family hostage are forcing him to do this.
• Simon - played by His Hotness Ian Anthony Dale - is the only visitor Sophia seems to get in prison. The two of them seem to know what the event is and are determined not to let the president know.
• What in the world was that white light that swallowed the plane? I get the feeling that is not the event. 

Who is "they"? Aliens? They are not Americans but they must be the other detainees. Somehow that couple - Vicky and Greg - have something to do with either the event or the abduction of Leila. It's not Lost, it's much better than Heroes and - I hate to admit this - Flash Forward. I'll be tuning in next week.