TV TIMES - Gang Related

I wanted to like a new show to go with 24, I really did. I set a pretty low bar when it comes to police or firemen or police/fireman shows. I like all the bang/bang. But they do lay it on a bit thick with all the drama and twisted alliances.

This one was written by the numbers. Good son, gang son, adopted son who became a cop. That cop of course has his partner shot by the gang son. He is also in love with his best friend's fiancé - the good son who wants to take the family legit. So that means he will be the first to die.

I saw this one coming from up the street. The creators try to drop you into the middle of a gang/family at the beginning of city wide gang war. There is an attempt at an epic Godfather like feel to this which I don't really get from the pilot. They are trying to invoke emotions they have not yet earned. But the trailer does look good.

 

How can a gang taskforce not realize that the cop in the middle of their gang taskforce is related and close to the leaders of one of the major gangs? All that surveillance and they never catch their guy talking to their targets even ONCE? Something wrong with the vetting process for LAPD. Plus there are plot holes big enough to drive a truck through. Maybe the fun of this show is waiting to see how long the cop can keep from falling over the edge. When does he snap from all the stress? With about a minute to go, that's when.

This plays out like a modern Miami Vice only this one is shot in LA. I like the colors and scenery that are basically just backdrop to tell an interesting crime story.

Double lives could have been the basis of a good story but this first episode is written with such a ham fist that it's hard for me to care. A story like this need to be subtle and subtle this story is not. I, however, liked enough of the first episode to come back for more. Maybe the writing will improve.



GAH...after doing some research I realized that this series was on FOX which means I should already get ready for it to be cancelled. After this pilot I will seriously have to judge if there is enough here to make me want to continue my relationship with this program. So far I see nothing ground breaking but there are some interesting things going on here. Seeing a guy get tasered in the nuts twice was pretty hardcore and proves to me once again that any woman that is interested in me is up to do me harm...with a taser, in the nutsack.