"Dark Blue" Review: The Promise of Something Different

I try not to read other reviews before I watch a show myself so my opinion won’t be influenced. But I couldn’t help myself with TNT’s newest drama, “Dark Blue.” And every review I read had the same word in it—cliché.

Well, maybe I just really like clichés or maybe I was just blinded by my love for Dylan McDermott, but I liked “Blue.” Is it the most original show I’ve ever seen? No, but it certainly shows the promise of doing some different things with a cop drama…

The latest TV product from Jerry Bruckheimer, “Blue” follows a special undercover task force led by Lt. Carter Shaw (McDermott). As one member of the force explains it, there’s nothing Shaw won’t do to protect his people and nothing he won’t do to get his man. The force and Shaw operate pretty much off the books to bring down L.A.’s worst criminals.

Making up Shaw’s team are Ty Curtis (Omari Hardwick), a newlywed struggling to balance his real life with the one he has created while undercover; Dean Bendis (Logan Marshall-Green) the team’s unpredictable wild card; and Jaimie Allen (Nicki Aycox), the newest member recruited for her lying skills.

In the premiere, Bendis’ actions are called into question when he’s caught on a surveillance tape by the FBI and Shaw and Curtis must determine if he has crossed over the fine line of undercover work.

My biggest concern going in was that McDermott would not be able to pull off playing a tough cop. But I couldn’t have been more wrong as McDermott plays it perfectly—especially the mysterious side that hides a painful past. And Marshall-Green (last seen in the gone-too-soon “Traveler”) is perfect as the edgy Bendis. The premiere also benefits significantly from the presence of Kyle Secor (“Homicide,” “Commander In Chief”) as one of the FBI agents. I really hope we see him again.

Plus, the show looks absolutely gorgeous—and I’m not just talking about McDermott…

The effects of seedy undercover work is well-traveled TV territory (“Fastlane” immediately comes to mind.), but in Bruckheimer’s capable hands, I think this one has got some real possibilities…

“Dark Blue” premieres Wednesday, July 15th at 10 p.m. on TNT…

Photo Credit: Timothy White/TNT