Review – The Chicago Code – Pilot (S01Ep01)
In case you didn't know, I kick butt, take names and clean up this city before I finish my breakfast bagel.
Synopsis:
After a life of witnessing the impact of bribery in her home town of Chicago, Teresa Colvin (Jennifer Beals - yes the Flashdance chick) becomes Police Commissioner, and is going to clean up the city - from corrupt politicians to street thugs. With ex-partner (and rule breaker) Jarek Wysocki (Australia’s Jason Clarke - Rabbit-Proof Fence, Farscape, Home and Away and Brotherhood to name just a few) by her side - they will break the unwritten law behind the law.
Pluses:
Amazing character development without dumbing down.
Great peak behind the corridors of power and what it costs to stay there.
Ambition.
Great supporting cast - not an off beat.
Interesting family/relationship dynamics.
Minuses:
Not sure I really liked the voice overs, but the one that is cut short is just so powerful.
I must admit I wasn’t interested in this show at all - I thought it was yet another un-needed police procedural. Jace from The Daily Beast and Televisionary set me straight, so I followed his advice and watched. I am pleased I did, as it makes Blue Bloods lack real depth.
TEN is showing Blue Bloods, so it wouldn't surprise me if they picked up The Chicago Code as well - they have a lot of police drama.
#fourandahalfreallyimpressedpandas
Review – Blue Bloods – Privilege (S01Ep03)
I want to be the bestest beat cop ever!
This week:
Danny is on the trail of a rapist on NYU campus. Likelihood that the perpetrator will walk. Lies surround lies. Aspiration. A tease of the arc. Frank goes passive aggressive. Jamie "collars" his first weapons charge.
Pluses:
I like how Jamie's work doesn't lead back to the major case of the week.
Frank finally did the right thing.
Nice interaction between Jamie, his stick and his fiance.
Jamie's subtle questioning.
Minuses:
Plot, twist and outcome has been done before - so 0 surprises.
Really? Just sending out a detective without a partner?
Erin seems to be quite removed from the plots - a walk in and walk out skirt with some family moments.
Why does Erin have to cook when she goes to her father's house?
I think Jamie is going to be single soon.
This was an OK ep, just not up to standard. I have high expectations when I turn on an episode of Blue Bloods, and this didn't deliver.
#twobeatcoppandas
Review – Blue Bloods – Samaritan (S01Ep02)
True to form, my favourite character is a minor one. Please don't get shot Renzulli!
This week:
During a heist on the subway in NYC, a good samaritan finds himself on the wrong side of the law. The question of right and wrong is explored. The solve the case without firing a gun yet again.
Pluses:
Real police work, no CSI team in sight.
Highlighting bad police work.
Great dialogue driven drama.
Interesting character development of Danny (Wahlberg).
One choice can change your life.
Doing right for the right reasons sometimes means you are wrong.
A tease of the overall arc.
No police guns fired.
Love the banter between Jamie and Renzulli (senior beat cop/partner).
Minuses:
Felt there was a bit much "baddie" development.
I don't like Danny's new partner.
Can't anyone have a normal relationship - looking at you Frank.
I think Danny's wife is going to leave him.
This show delivered a very strong episode that wasn't just a "case of the week" scenario. Yes there was a case of the week, but it was used to really delve into the complexities of the characters, rather than just show how awesome a team is. I especially loved Renzulli pointing out all the mistakes that Danny made to his little brother - I was watching thinking - just typical police show - then they hung a lantern on all the errors other shows make in a sly way.
#fourcrimefightingpandas
Review – Blue Bloods – Pilot
Yes son, your dead mother would be so proud you walked away from your Harvard Law degree to be a Beat Cop. Why do you ask?
Synopsis:
Blue Bloods is the new drama by Robin Green and Mitchell Burgess of Sopranos fame. It is New York City procedural police drama covering four generations of the Reagan family. Tom Selleck plays the Police Commissioner (possibly with some skeletons in the closet), with his father a retired Police Commissioner (I think), his eldest son Danny played by Donnie Wahlberg (is that Mark's brother the one who was in KNOTB or something?) is a detective who operates on the edge of the law and has recently returned from Iraq, his daughter is a District Attorney, his youngest son just gave up his Harvard law degree to become a beat cop and finally there is one deceased son, who died trying to infiltrate a group of dirty cops (which might just include Selleck's character). Following so far?
This week:
Hi there, let us introduce ourselves. Kid gets snatched. Let's develop our characters neatly in this one case so the audience can get a feeling for that fact that even though we are a family, we are a family that disagrees a lot. Kid gets found. Ro'roh. PHEW! Let's go fishing.
Pluses:
Lots of character introductions and development but done in a non-twee way.
Solid understanding of motivations of characters shared with the audience.
Whalberg's character must be the only married cop on TV.
Nice "case of the week" episode with some overarching information for the series.
No-one fired a gun - I LOVED that!
CSI move over, this is all about real police work.
Strong character driven drama.
Minuses:
Still getting my head around the relevance of all the characters.
Danny (Wahlberg's character) I have seen before, but given the team behind the show I am hoping he doesn't become the cliche.
I think our newest beat cop is about to get dumped - which is a shame - I like his girlfriend.
Some of the evidence was telegraphed too strongly.
This was a surprisingly enjoyable police drama. It dealt with the urgency and suspense, without having unrealistic shootouts or 3km sprints through city streets. The acting was exceptional and it was very smartly edited. Overall it told its story very well without trying to be more than it is.
Blue Bloods has been bought by TEN so expect it in 2011 - though as yet no release date as been set (that I can find with a half hearted google search).
#fourgunwearingpandas
PS. iTunes US has the series.
