Television Reviews : A Holmesian ‘Probe’ Introduces New Series

Austin James (Parker Stevenson) is an eccentric scientist who solves crimes by virtue of his superior intellect. Mickey Castle (Ashley Crow) is his flighty assistant. They are the Holmes and Watson of ABC’s new “Probe,” which opens as a two-hour movie at 9 tonight (Channels 7, 3, 10 and 42) before settling into its regular 8 p.m. Thursday time slot this week.

Its roots are in Arthur Conan Doyle more than in science fiction, even though “Probe” was created by science fiction author Isaac Asimov along with Michael Wagner, and tonight’s story is derivative of “2001: A Space Odyssey” and other stories pitting humankind against technology.

Living and working in a warehouse called the Batcave, Austin matches wits with a computer program intending to take over the city by rather inventive means.

The human/technology clash is handled interestingly in Wagner’s script, boding good things for the future of “Probe.” Tailored to its time slot, however, the story is artificially inflated and far too long, intermittently stalling.

Stevenson is adequate, mouthing the words of a crazed genius, but beyond that rarely hints at the higher intelligence attributed to Austin, who is frenetic, instinctive, fast-moving, brilliant and, after awhile, just a bit of a bore. Says Mickey: “You should hear yourself!” Yes.

Crow is cute. But her main job as the ding-a-ling Mickey is to trail along behind Austin and look pouty, bewildered and perplexed. Although viscerally appealing, their pairing is a virtual playback of so many male/female relationships on TV. He does; she reacts. He relies on his mind, she on her intuition. Not science fiction, sex fiction.