Touch (American television series)

Premise and main characters

The central narrative follows Martin Bohm, a widowed father, and his young son Jake, who is nonverbal and expresses himself through apparent numerical messages. Martin seeks to understand and interpret his son’s sequences of numbers, which lead him to people and events in different places. The show frames Jake’s ability as an unusual perception of underlying patterns that link disparate lives. This premise allowed episodes to weave multiple short storylines together into a larger mosaic about fate, coincidence and responsibility.

Structure and recurring elements

Each episode typically interlaces several character vignettes across countries and cultures, returning repeatedly to Martin and Jake’s developing relationship. The series emphasizes themes such as interconnectedness, small acts with large consequences, and the ethics of intervention. Common elements include:

• Number sequences functioning as clues or coordinates.
• Short, self-contained stories that intersect in unexpected ways.
• A blend of emotional family drama with speculative or mystical overtones.

Production, broadcast and scheduling

Tim Kring, known for creating character-driven serialized dramas, developed Touch after his earlier series. The program had an unusual rollout: a preview episode aired in January 2012, and the regular run began in March 2012 following schedule adjustments. In Canada the series was broadcast simultaneously on the Global Television Network (Global). Production was handled by established television companies and the show’s scheduling varied between its first and second seasons; the latter aired on Friday evenings in the United States.

Themes, reception and legacy

Touch was noted for its ambitious concept and emotional core — a father trying to help his son and to decode a hidden logic in the world. Critics and viewers gave mixed reactions: many praised the premise and lead performance, while others found the tone sentimental or the plot mechanics uneven. The program attracted attention for its depiction of a nonverbal child and for exploring how seemingly random events can be meaningfully connected.

Further notes

As a genre piece it sits at the intersection of supernatural and human-interest drama, and viewers interested in serialized storytelling or stories about global interconnectedness often point to it as an example. For background on the creator’s approach and influences see Tim Kring’s earlier work and interviews about serialized narrative strategies (creator background). Additional broadcast and episode details are available through overviews and episode guides (series genre overview, production notes).