DJariya

Looks like an interesting new action series. It stars Enrico Colantoni, who some of you remember as Veronica Mars' Dad and Amy Jo Johnson from Felicity. I believe this show was shot entirely in Toronto and is based on a Canadian Law Enforcement agency.

Synopsis for "Scorpio"



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Norm de Plume

I watched it out of curiosity, not anticipating much, and it didn't disappoint low expectations. Run-of-the-mill well-produced piffle with an only-in-showbiz pretty cast of virile, lantern-jawed men and perky, painted women spouting witty and tough repartee while masquerading as cops. Sadly but predictably interchangable with dozens of contemporary law enforcement/lawyer/doctor shows churned out by American TV. I'll pass.

DJariya

Correction, this is a Canadian production, churned out by CTV, shot in your neck of the woods in Toronto.

Norm de Plume

I know, but my point is it virtually indistinguishable from the style and feel of any modern American cop show. Frankly, I didn't expect anything better from a network as deeply corporatized as CTV.
I was not maligning U.S. TV in particular. Canadian TV programming, what little there is, generally stinks too.

Superman07

I caught about 30 minutes of this, by mistake I suppose. I found something intriguing, but also couldn't help thinking it was really bad. I felt like it could be okay, but too much of it seemed fake. The way the team walked around in a lazy manner especially felt off. I think the guy on the roof was the most interesting, but the others - especially Pink Ranger - were flat.

TGM

I thought it rocked........ VERY stylish...... like a one hour Tony Scott flick....... I'm hooked, at least until next week.

Patman

I knew they were using Canadian actors because 2 of them kept saying "PRO-cess" instead of the more Americanized version "Prah-cess".

Ayre

Over abundance of silent head shots. Back and forth until someone utters a couple words. I stilled thought it was good and will follow it.

OldDude

At least it's not a rerun or reality show.

It was OK and I'll give it a couple of more chances, but it isn't "must see" TV.

DJariya

I thought it was a decent pilot to get the show started. Enrico Colantoni had some good charisma as Parker and I thought the hostage negotiation scene was pretty tense and well shot. I agree with the above statement that it felt somewhat like a Tony Scott movie.

I was puzzled why Ed got so emotional and choked up about taking out that lunatic. Granted, he almost shot his son, but isn't he supposed to be a highly trained marksman who keeps those types of emotions away from this type of crisis.

That was really my only issue with the episode. I did like that they focused on only one situation and the tactics to resolve unlike alot of procedurals that have multiple cases going on the same time.

It's got 12 more episodes left, I'm sure the characters will eventually grow on me. But, it's a decent start.

I read that it got 8.13M viewers for it's premiere, which is pretty solid for a summer show and on a Friday night too!

TGM

The first episode is re-airing tonight (SUNDAY) @ 10pm on CBS...

It really is VERY stylistic brain candy... worth at least a tivoing, eh?

Gizmo

Too bad the show is on CBS otherwise I would watch it.

DJariya

Oh God, your still bitter about Moonlight aren't you? I liked Mick, Beth and company just as much as you, but it was a business decision by them and there wasn't enough fans to keep it on the air. Boycotting a network for one show that really only had a cult following is silly IMO. Plus, episode 16 worked as a series finale...no cliffhanger, Mick and Beth ended up together. If you really want to support them, wait for the DVD which I heard is being made with lots of extras. Then you can re-live it as often as you want.

Anyways, I would recommend trying this show, but if you want to keep your silly boycott then that's your choice.

DJariya

It's worth DVRing to see if you like it or not.

Jadzia

I was bored out of my mind the first 30 minutes. It made me remember that I always hate hostage situation episodes of just about every other show that inevitably does them. However, I was pleasantly surprised when they resolved the situation at the midway point of the episode and I liked where it went to after that. You never see the aftereffects of a situation like that and I thought that was very interesting and realistic that that they showed what happened.

Gizmo

Sorry, won't watch CBS. They chose to cancel a show that received decent ratings, cheap to produce, and had good WOM. Pass. The network is dead to me.

clemente

So what network do you watch? That pretty much sums up a move every network has made in the past few years.

Patman

No kidding, he'll be running out of networks to watch (for free) pretty soon...

B.A.

Exactly.

I'm going to Tivo the repeat tonight.

DJariya

TV shows come and go all the time. It's a business. Okay so your bitter because you loved that you, but it's just one show out of the hundreds that are made every year. If NBC or ABC one day cancels your favorite show(s) will those networks be dead to you too??

That'sAllFolks

Well said.

This is why I rarely watch ANY police drama and this has only re-inforced my conviction.

Norm de Plume

Same here. I'm basically down to watching only documentaries, newsmagazines, court shows, and the odd food-related "reality" show. "The Office" is probably the only fiction show I watch regularly.
I think my most fervent objection to almost all modern TV fiction is the bimbos and himbos - or at least matinee idols, whatever their intelligence - the networks (and, for cinema, film studios) perpetuate as an image of what the populace at large should emulate. I have no interest in seeing a cast full of these synthetic people, not because I'm unattractive and wracked with envy, but because I don't like the supremacy of appearance over all else in popular culture. /rant over

DJariya

I don't know why you are so bitter about this? So what are you waiting for, a procedural drama about a forensic Botanist? My Goodness it's Hollywood, it's the nature of the business to cast good looking people to play doctors, law enforcement, husbands and wives. That's how they get people to watch them and how they attract male and female fans to talk about them in forums like these. I think your being way too judgemental thinking that every single drama is "fake" or "synthetic" as you deem. There is alot of quality fictional programming out there that doesn't necessarily use "beautiful" people or your ridiculous terminology "bimbos/himbos" as leads.

For me, Television is escapism from real life. I want to come home relax, watch an exiciting action drama like this or a compelling family drama. And even though it sounds superficial, I like to see good looking woman on the dramas that I choose to watch. Don't get me wrong, I still watch some non-fictional programming as well, but for the most part I want to have a good time watching TV and I like stuff that is visually stimulating.

Whatever, it's your choice. I'm puzzled about why you even bothered watching and commenting about this show if you are so bitter/dis-enchanted with Hollywood?

Norm de Plume

I only half-heartedly watched because the show was cursorily touted in the entertainment pages up here as a rare Canadian production to be sold to networks south of the border. I otherwise wouldn't have even taken notice of it in the TV guide.
You and millions of others may not be bothered by the image being pushed by the entertainment industry, and that's fine, but I find it irritating. I'm not some stodgy fossil who smokes a pipe and only watches WWII docs. Escapism need not be phony and formulaic. Why not an entertaining show that's a closer reflection of reality, or just the opposite? At least action and cop shows of the '80s (eg. A-Team) had a clear sense of the absurd; there was virtually no hollow self-serious posturing in that era. It's the posing as earnest and authentic, while remaining stubbornly beholden to Hollywood superficiality, that bothers me the most. That's what is most characteristic of post-'90s pop culture.

But enough with the pretentious analysis...

movieking

Caught the first episode last night, and wasn't impressed with it. It was okay at best. Most premiere shows are weak since it takes time to build characters and relationships, but this show didn't do a hell of a lot of either regardless. I doubt that I'll watch anymore unless it starts to get some good word of mouth.