Two Reasons to Love ABC's The Nine

"I was really scared, and you were right there...with a lifeline. And we found our way to each other..." - Lizzie

One: Malcolm, Nick, Kathryn, Franny, Lizzie, Felicia, Egan, Jeremy, and Lucas.

Two: The robbery.

Those names above are the "Nine" referred to in the show's title. After the first, commercial break of the pilot episode, they've all been part of a 52-hour standoff that began as a bank robbery. Eight were hostages, and one - Lucas - committed the robbery with his brother, Randall. What happened during those hours is a mystery (for now); all we know is that these people have been bonded, for the rest of their lives, by their shared experience. And that's enough for me. I don't need to know any more.

The robbery is my second reason to watch this show, but it really ought to be in miniscule print far below every character's name, because its specific events almost don't matter. Giving out pieces, flashing back to the action every episode, is just creator Hank Steinberg's way of trying to hook the fans of "Lost" and "24," and it's a nice bonus to this life-drama. However, what I imagine he's counting on is that you'll stay to watch the characters living afterwards. That you'll become invested in following their journeys - they're what this show is about, after all.

If you aren't won over by at least a few of them, I'd be stunned. Because in three episodes, they've definitely won me over. They're each so distinct, so real. We believe their bond with each other, feel it, even if we didn't see it formed. Obviously the show's success at crafting these people and their relationships starts with the writers, but the highly-talented actors chosen to play them, are the ones "bringing it home," so to speak. I'm constantly amazed at how engaging these actors are. You've seen most of them before, though you might not be sure from where.