Memphis Beat is "At the River"

     TNT's Memphis Beat returns for a second season with "At the River." A cop is killed, and Lt. Rice (Alfre Woodard) decides to split up her top detectives to solve it. She helps Det. Whitehead (Sam Hennings) work the actual case. She also lets him know he isn't really welcome in her department, and wishes he would leave. Dwight (Jason Lee) is ordered to assist Claire Ryan (Beau Garrett, Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior), an Internal Affairs investigator, figure out if the dead cop is dirty or not. Dwight takes the case personally after meeting the deceased's son, recalling his own father's death in the line of duty. Not only does Dwight clear the cop's name, but he catches the killer, too.

     By and large, Memphis Beat is a procedural. The main focus is on the cases, not the characters. The season premiere, "At the River," is no different. Even when bringing up Dwight's past, it's more of a footnote to explain motivation than an actual plot point. Only Whitehead gets any real exploration this week, as he takes Rice's promise to help promote him to get him off her team very personally. His reaction is certainly the most interesting thing about the episode.

     The case itself isn't badly done, with some unexpected twists and turns, and a bit of flirting between Dwight and the Guest Star of the Week, Claire. They have palpable chemistry, and a show that concentrates a bit more on the main characters might bring her back for at least an arc so the two can get to know each other a bit better. Memphis Beat may eventually do that, but disappoingtingly, there is no sign or mention of her in next week's second episode of the season.

     The setting (Memphis, though filmed in Louisiana) and type of crimes do differ Memphis Beat slightly from the other series of the same genre on the air, but not enough to make the show a must-see. In fact, only watch if it's convenient and you don't have anything else better to do. It won't be a waste of an hour, but there is little to gain from it, either. Lee recently said in an interview that the series would be retooled dramatically for season two, but the first two episodes do not make this obvious, if it is being done at all.

     Next week's entry is a bit better, though it's hard to pinpoint why. Perhaps the additional interplay between Dwight and Whitehead make it a bit more entertaining. Or it could be the appearance of Tom Lennon (Reno 911!, Night at the Museum) as a consultant obsessed with a series of old break-ins who is smitten with Rice. There certainly isn't anything plot-wise that furthers any development.

     If you're into procedurals, I would recommend Memphis Beat over many of its peers. But if you are looking for intelligent, gripping, deep series, skip this one. Memphis Beat airs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET on TNT.

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Article first published as TV Review: Memphis Beat - "At the River" on Blogcritics.

Memphis Beat premieres tonight

     I am quite fond of Jason Lee.  I loved him in all of the Kevin Smith movies and I was happy for him when he got the title role in My Name Is Earl, though I'm still a bit bitter the show didn't get a proper finale after four seasons.  I celebrate his successes and feel bad when he doesn't do so well.  After watching the first episode of his new show for TNT, Memphis Beat, I am not sure whether to be happy or sad for him.  It's good that he's headlining another cast, and cop shows do pretty well on television.  As far as cop shows go, it's decent.  But it's mostly just a serial crime show, or so it appears from the first episode, and his talent goes beyond such drivel.  Sure, there's a Memphis charm, good music, and he gets to sing in the pilot, "That's Alright, Mama".  It was enough for my to set my TiVo to record the second episode next week, but far short of earning a season pass.

     Other things Memphis Beat have going for it include a couple of the supporting cast.  Alfre Woodard (Desperate Housewives, The Family That Preys, True Blood) is his new boss, Lt. Tanya Rice, who is bringing a motherly quality to the M.P.D., although a brief scene with her calling her daughter proves that she isn't as good a child rearer as she pretends to be.  I love Abraham Benrubi (ER, Men in Trees), but although his name was in the opening credits, he had scant seconds of screen time in the pilot.  The other actors in the show were not memorable, at least in the first episode.

     TNT already has a few crime-based dramas, and they do pretty well on the network.  Memphis Beat will certainly add to that portfolio.  I just wish it had dared to go a little further, like Justified.  Shows in this genre are better if they are about the characters, more than the crimes.  This series has a hint of character drama, mostly in the annoying, uninspired scenes between Dwight (Lee) and his mother, Paula Ann (Celia Weston).  On a side note, will television shows please quite tossing in the mother, as if that makes up for their serial nature?  Although it sometimes work, it's a tired premise, and often doesn't.  It certainly does not here.

     Memphis Blue premieres tonight at 10pm on TNT.