Prime Suspect not prime

     NBC's Prime Suspect follows Detective Jane Timoney (Maria Bello, ER), a homicide detective who is not exactly welcomed into her new department, even having her cases stolen. Things get even worse when, after a colleague dies, she secures his position, putting her in a leadership roll. The boys club that runs the show doesn't trust her, though Lieutenant Kevin Sweeney (Aidan Quinn, Weeds) has faith that she will get the job done. And she does, without much help and support from her team. Though she may warm a few of them up slightly.

     Prime Suspect is based on a very successful British series of the same name. The themes of the original involve a woman trying to make it in a man's profession. Given that this is 2011, those don't seem quite so relevant any more. Yet, somehow Jane's treatment at the hands of her co-workers rings with a bit of truth. Is it possible, even in this day and age, there are still some jobs that women are not expected to do? Other television shows rarely address this, and there are plenty of cop shows around to choose from. But perhaps taking this different stance gives Prime Suspect a leg up on the competition.

     The cast is fantastic. Bello shines as Jane, even if she should consider losing the stupid headwear. Quinn does a decent job, and Brian F. O'Byrne (Mildred Pierce, FlashForward) is terrific as Jane's main protagonist. The other guys don't get a lot to do in the "Pilot," but recognize Kirk Acevedo as Fringe, so hopefully he will have a large role. The feel is also pretty decent. It's a grittier show than many, and the cinematography isn't completely typical.

     Unfortunately, that will probably not save it from being a rote procedural. Though Prime Suspect airs on NBC, not CBS, it has many of the familiar staples of the million other crime series already airing. There isn't much story apart from the case of the week. Unlike the original version, each case will be solved by the end of the hour. These are not the makings of a bold new show. It may be too soon to tell if Prime Suspect can hold interest, but it's not exactly off to a promising start, despite a couple of intriguing characters.

     The best thing Prime Suspect has going for it are the scenes that Maria spends with Matt Webb (Kenny Johnson, Sons of Anarchy, The Shield), the guy she lives with. Matt is trying to get partial custody of his son, but his ex (Lena Georgas, Kingdom Hospital) doesn't make it easy. She has a new guy, but still seems jealous of Maria. Maria steps in, behind Matt's back, and makes sure that Matt gets to see his kid. This bit really makes the character of Maria, demonstrating what she is like off the job.

     Also nice is the time that Maria spends with her father, Desmond (Peter Gerety, Mercy, Brothers & Sisters). If Prime Suspect can keep a major focus on Maria's family, as it sort of does in the "Pilot," then perhaps Prime Suspect will make something of itself.

     Prime Suspect airs Thursdays at 10 p.m. on NBC.

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Prime Suspect - The Complete Collection on DVD

     Perhaps now is a good time to look at Prime Suspect, the British series which will soon enjoy an American remake on broadcast television. Last year, Acorn Media released The Complete Collection on DVD, and thus, it's easy enough to get a look at the approximately twenty-five hours Oscar winner Helen Mirren (The Queen, Red) spends breathing life in to Jane Tennison. More of a series of television movies or miniseries than a traditional show, Tennison's life is observed over fifteen years (with a big gap after the first five) as she works her way up in the police ranks, and deals with numerous personal issues. Prime Suspect aired on PBS in the States.

     Prime Suspect won a number of awards over its run, which ended in 2006, including Emmys, BAFTAs, and Golden Globes. Thus, it is not surprising that Mirren stars, given that she herself has won all of those, plus an Oscar, numerous SAGs, and many others. Tennison is a complex character, both when breaking into a traditionally male-dominated profession, and also dealing with sour relationships and alcoholism. It's a tour de force, and a treat for those who generally only get a couple of hours of Mirren at a time. Her gritty, realistic portrayal has lots of depth, as well as the sheer raw talent that Mirren is known, and has been honored, for.

     Mirren isn't the only actor who deserves kudos for her work on Prime Suspect. Though others do not appear throughout the entire series, notable people that were a part of the effort include Tom Wilkinson (The Kennedys, John Adams), Tom Bell (No Bananas, The Krays), John Benfield (Cassandra's Dream), Ralph Fiennes (Harry Potter, The English Patient), Johnny Lee Miller (Eli Stone, Trainspotting), John Bowe (Silent Witness, Cranford), Zoë Wanamaker (My Family, Love Hurts), and Bryan Pringle (Brazil, A Prince Among Men). With such a talented cast, it is no wonder Prime Suspect is revered as a highly successful drama.

     For those bored the gluttony of police procedurals on the television, Prime Suspect is not just one of those, though it certainly contains many elements of such. The highly personal nature of much of Tennison's plot, as well as a number of deeper, social issues explored in depth raise it above the drivel. While a number of series, including The Closer, claim to pay homage to Prime Suspects, none come close to the caliber of the Mirren-led series. It truly rises above the rest.

     The DVD set of Prime Suspect - The Complete Collection is nice in that it collects all of the adventures in one nice, neat set. Early seasons are 4:3 in picture ratio, and not even in stereo, so there isn't a big technological advantage to the newer release over previous ones. Special features are lite, too, only included in the final two series. There's a photo gallery, cast filmographies, and two featurettes, totaling less than an hour and a half in length. But, of course, the main draw are the nine mysteries that encompass the set, not the bonuses, or lack thereof. Those make the purchase well worth the price.

     Please click here to buy Prime Suspect - The Complete Collection now.

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Article first published as DVD Review: Prime Suspect - The Complete Collection on Blogcritics.

NBC announces Fall 2012 lineup

     Right in the middle of season finale madnesses, the networks are releasing their fall schedules, handing down decisions on what goes and stays. NBC is the first out of the gate next year, and here's what's in the docket:

     Monday begins with a two hour episode of The Sing-Off, and then premieres the new drama, The Playboy Club. The Playboy Club is set in Chicago in the 1960's at the infamous night hot spot, and stars Amber Heard (Zombieland), Eddie Cibrian (CSI: Miami), David Krumholtz (Numb3rs), Jenna Dewan-Tatum (Step Up), Laura Benanti (Eli Stone). This series is a wait and see, as it seems to be breaking new ground, so it could be great or terrible. The Sing-Off is yet another waste of time reality competition show. The Event and Law & Order: Los Angeles are canceled, as are The Cape and Chase, and Chuck will be switching nights. Not off to a good start.

     Tuesday begins with another (ugh!) two hour reality series, The Biggest Loser, do again, a bad start. Thankfully, NBC had the good sense to renew Parenthood, which will follow at ten p.m.

     Wednesdays gets better, with two new sitcoms from 8-9. Up All Night stars Christina Applegate (Samantha Who?) as a stay at home home, Will Arnett (Arrested Development) as her husband, and also Maya Rudolph (Saturday Night Live). Free Agents is based on a UK series by the same name, and stars Anthony Stewart Head (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), reprising his role as boss at a PR firm from the British versions. Hank Azaria (The Simpsons) and Kathryn Hahn (Hung) star as two of Head's workers, and the series will also include Joe Lo Truglio (Reno 911!). Both sitcoms could be good. At 9 p.m. Harry's Law begins a second season, followed at 10 by the long-running Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.

     The three hour Thursday night sitcom block is unfortunately abandoned. 30 Rock takes a fall hiatus (it's its turn), while favorites Community, Parks and Recreation, and the now Steve Carell-less The Office are joined by newcomer Whitney. Created by Whitney Cummings, the series also stars Chris D'Elia (Glory Daze) and Beverly D'Angelo (Entourage). Which means, Outsourced and Perfect Couples are also canceled. At 10, another UK remake, Prime Suspect, starring Mario Bello (ER), Aidan Quinn (Canterbury's Law), and Kirk Acevedo (Fringe).

     Friday features the fifth and final season of Chuck, which will run for a mere thirteen episodes, as well as the new show Grimm. Grimm stars David Giuntoli (Privileged) as a detective tasked with protecting humans from Grimm fairy tale characters. Silas Weir Mitchell (Prison Break) plays a reformed Big Bad Wolf, Sasha Roiz (Caprica) is a police captain, and Kate Burton (Grey's Anatomy) is the detective's aunt. Then Dateline is at 10.

     Saturday Night Live, is, of course, at 11:30 on Saturdays, the same place is has been for nearly four decades, while earlier in the night, reruns in the name of the game.

     Finally on Sundays is football, football, and more football. Double ugh.

     Friday Night Lights is currently airing its finale season, and will not return next year.

     Midseason will see the return of 30 Rock, The Voice, and The Celebrity Apprentice, as well as a slew of new series. The Voice and Harry's Law are the only two new series this year coming back for next. Three more sitcoms have been ordered, Bent, Best Friends Forever, and Are You There Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea, as well as three new dramas, Awake, Smash, and The Firm, based on the novel by Josh Grisham. These six may never see the light of day, but then again, they might.

     All in all, a pretty weak season for the fourth place network. Perhaps ditching some of those large reality blocks and sticking in some of these dramas and comedies being ordered would help.  Not the bottom line, of course, but the reputation of NBC, which could use all of the assistance it can get.