ABC pulled the plug on this show and I can understand why but more on this later. The basic plot of this series was following the lives of one of the flight crews of the airline based out of NYC. Everyone is still young (well under 35) and it is a time in America when the first president born in the 20th century is in the White House in the early 1960s. The show touches on race relations, women's liberation, and more abstract topics such as finding your identity in the world during your youth. However, this is all done in a very entertaining way and ultimately romance and political themes are more of what each show is based on.

Everything about the show from the plots, sets, costume, music, etc. is just outstanding. There is usually something viewers will identify with in each show so I would say go for it if you have not seen it. The cast had an incredible chemistry together so it's a loss to see them part ways.

ABC canceled the show after only one season because of low ratings. I would speculate that production costs were also incredibly high on this program even with the CGI involved to show the aircraft exteriors and the PanAm building in Manhattan. The show was competing against the lowest common denominator types of programs on broadcast TV that involve some kind of reality theme, a contest, ride along with the police, etc; just total garbage that people think is what TV is supposed to be. I wish PanAm had been done by a cable network like HBO or Showtime; it could have had a long and successful run like Mad Men or Weeds. If ABC/Disney would sell the show someone should buy it and continue production; but that's wishful thinking. RIP again PanAM.

Having been an international flight attendant in the seventies I truly enjoyed this wonderful , nostalgic series portraying the golden days of flying in the year 1963. For those passengers who are disenchanted by the state of flying now, this series takes you back to this "Golden Age" when flying was a very special event. Pan Am was a "first class" airline that went around the world twice a day. Stewardesses were well educated and had to be fluent in at least one foreign language.
The story centers around six major characters. The young and handsome pilot , Dean and his first officer, Ted. The stewardesses are Colette, Kate, Laura and purser, Maggie.Laura and Kate are sisters. Kate has become a courier for the CIA, working with an agent with MI-5. She has taken the place of Brigitte, an ex-purser with Pan Am and the former lover of the Captain's.her sister , Laura becomes enamored with Ted, the copilot. Meanwhile Ted becomes engaged with Amanda. maggie is a free spirit who is constantly in trouble. She has an affair with Congressman but by the time 1964 comes around she has taken up with the pilot called "SKY GOD". They are involved in smuggling.
Collete has an affair with Dean but drops him when he has a fling with his ex-lover, Brigitte. She then meets a Prince. he is of the Muslim faith.He asks her to begin a former courtship and her background must be investigated. Colette had always thought her parents died in France during World War Two. The investigation yields very different facts. Colette's parents died in a concentration camp. So, now her courtship is terminated because she is Jewish and the Prince is Muslim.The good news is that the investigation reveals that somewhere she has a brother. On the eve of 1964 Dean vows to help her in the search. Dean has been put on leave of absense because of a critical decision he made ,landing his plane in war-torn Haiti. He would have been fired had it not been for the support of the captain called "Sky God."
Kate proves her weight in gold when she flushes out the MI-5 contact as a rogue agent. She has now been offered a postion as a full time spy with six months training ahead of her in Quantico. She says," What about Pan Am?" Her mentor says,"Kate, we all have to make decisions."
Ted drops Amanda because Amanda reveals that she prefers the company of women. He reveals his deep love for Laura. Laura feels the same towards Ted. However, just before the crew's New Year's Eve celebration, Amanda tells Ted she is pregant. Seconds before the ball drops in Times Square, Ted tells Laura he has something to tell her.
All the loose ends are tied up just in case Pan Am is not picked up for a second season. The good news is that the major writer is trying to pitch Pan Am to a cable network.
1964 is the best episode of the 14 episode first season, foloowed by "Kiss, Kiss, Bang ,Bang."
Enjoy. This will be one of the best series you will ever own!

PilotPilotDOWNLOAD PAN AM FOR FREE. Enjoy it for the first or even second time.
Give it a chance. Really. Enjoy the style. Follow the intrigue.
Yes, it is a second rate Mad men but it is an ABC show. ABC does not let shows develop like AMC.
There is untapped potential.
The first episode of Pan Am was brilliantly filmed and had the feeling of the glamour that was Pan Am. Our local bus stop was a showcase homage to the show with a 3D display.
The show, unfortunately, forgot what made the Madison Avenue of Mad Men successful and that was utilizing the feel of the era by using devices in the background like TV ads and styles.
Pan Am stopped relying on those devices and got muddled in non-era specific story lines. Yes the cold war story line did reflect the era but it wasn't appropriate.
The potential is there and it can be retooled. The cast is attractive and it can be a terrific travelogue.
Watch it and enjoy the entertainment before you before you decide if it is show worthy of renewal.
I would like to see Mike Vogel smoke to add a dash of reality to the role. He is hunky enough to pull off that testosterone smoked sexuality that Pan Am pilots did have. Add the smoke because where there is smoke, there is fire.