Ben Affleck came up with an original concept. To assure an audience, why not BRIBE them? Which is exactly what he does by offering money to someone who solves the convoluted mess of a plot (this from an Oscar-winning "writer") that was so bad, the network wanted to cancel it after the second or third airing, but was obligated by the contract they were trapped in to continue to air some remaining episodes to conclude the contest.

There was a lot of controversy about whether Affleck and Damen deserved to receive the oscar for best screenplay ("Good Will Hunting") because it's said REAL writers reworked it to be palatable. I have to agree after reading their original draft on the net (which is horrible, even grammar-wise). This series proves Affleck is not only an uncharismatic actor, but a mediocre writer as well.

Running somewhat counter to this cryptic, if aggressive, advertising strategy, the show has already dumbed itself down. In a repeat of the pilot presented as the lead-in to Thursday's new episode, the clues were outlined in red boxes-- beating any joy out of the process of discovering the game. The show's makers appear to think viewers are too unsophisticated to figure out that repeated number sequences and a flashing web address during the opening credits are clues. The apparent desperation behind making the clues even more obvious a second time around contradicts the producers' assertion that the drama is more fascinating than the game show aspect. Really, neither the concept nor the plot is that interesting. Instead of being dragged into Push, Nevada, buy a lottery ticket and rentTwin Peaks.