If you are looking for a new tv series to watch, might we suggest one of our new favorites, Detroit 1-8-7. We watched the 5th episode of the new series last night and we were impressed, once again, by this new cop drama.
There are rumors circulating around that Detroit 1-8-7 is next up on the cancellation chopping block for ABC. We are not sure what will happen with Detroit 1-8-7, and we hate to dive in head first with a new series after our disappointment with Lone Star but we can’t help it, we are already hooked to this Tuesday night cop drama. We don’t want to get hurt but we love the show too much right now to walk away.
See the reasons we love the series after the jump.
The Dynamic Cast:
In every cast you normally have one person or more than one actor who brings the series down. Not so in this cast. Sopranos veteran, Michael Imperioli and NYPD Blue alum, James McDaniel are the shows too most recognizable stars and both actors deliver strong performances week after week. The rookies and unknown actors who fill out the rest of the cast also step up to the plate with their portrayals of Detroit homicide detectives. The cast works well together and they are entertaining to watch.
The Humanized Victims:
What we love most about this show is that we get to know each homicide victim in a very personal and intimate way. The homicide victims of this series are more than a chalk outline. The victims become very humanized throughout each episode and we become very invested in the detectives quest to discover the truth about what happened to them. Each week we learn a new victims heartbreaking story and each week the series manages to make us feel connected to them.
The Authentic Feel:
The show has a grit to it that we cannot explain. There is not a lot of glitz and glamour. The show and the settings are never over the top or elaborate. When we watch Detroit 1-8-7 we feel like we are in Detroit. While all the scenes are not shot in Detroit, the city does play a major role in the series. Detroit feels like a character, not just a background. The series looks and feels real and authentic and it is one of the elements of the show that we love the most.
The Straightforwardness of the Series:
The story line is straightforward and too the point. None of the characters over do it or go into theatrics. What we like is that the cops get a case, they work it and they discover the truth. There is no frills or fluff in this show. There are no long extended chase seasons, big explosions or a big dramatic twist. While we may love those elements in other shows, the lack of these elements in this show makes it feel genuine. It is a refreshing approach that we have come to appreciate week after week, episode after episode.
The Riped-Off Elements from Other Successful Cop Shows:
One of the biggest criticisms of Detroit 1-8-7 is that it is a rip off of other cop dramas. Margaret Lyons of Entertainment Weekly even went so far as to list all the ideas Detroit 1-8-7 stole from other cop dramas. We agree with Lyons assessment but we can’t help but come to the conclusion that the show is better off not worse for using memorable elements of other cop dramas. Maybe we are watching Detroit 1-8-7 because it is a rip off of NYPD Blue and Homicide, but is that so bad? Those were two of the best cop shows on television. We love reliving the cop dramas from the yesteryears (i.e. the 1990s) through Detroit 1-8-7 but we also like the new elements the series brings to the table.
All the reasons listed above combined are what make this show great. Detroit 1-8-7 continues to suck us in every Tuesday night. We love the series and we appreciate what it brings to the table week after week. This cop drama definitely has a spot on our playlist and we recommend it take a spot on yours as well.
Catch up with Detroit 1-8-7 episodes online at hulu.com. Tune in to the series at 10 pm on ABC.
