by OL » Sun Mar 06, 2016 10:29 pm
Been re-watching that show Battle Creek on Netflix (there were a couple episodes I missed on it's tv run apparently), and I've figured it out: this show is my new Firefly. It's that show that has pitch-perfect casting, an almost perfectly executed mix of drama and comedy, shit-tons of personality... and it just so happened to end after only one season.
Honestly, among network detective shows (meaning no HBO, no AMC, no paid channels, no FX), this is really the only one I can safely say I love. Fantastic cast all around, so fitting in their roles that I'm actively lamenting the fact that I won't get to see these characters again (specifically Dean Winter and Josh Duhamel in the leads; perfect pairing, always the highlight of the show). And the episodic stories, in a far cry from just about every other network detective show in existence, are always appropriately quirky, but never stray too far into becoming hokey. That's the biggest trap most network shows in general fall into, making things too convenient/silly, making you roll your eyes at them. Never the case here, even when dealing with potentially silly stuff. It keeps everything grounded enough that it works out without becoming an eye-roller, but also manages to have a great level of charm every time.
Only two episodes away from finishing it again, and man, that's got me bummed. This really is another Firefly situation. Except in this case I don't think there's much chance of a movie deal. I would hope for a revival or something on one of the big streaming services (either Netflix or Amazon Prime), but that seems unlikely; I don't think anyone is trying for it.
Anyway, anyone that hasn't seen it, seriously... Battle Creek. Check it out. Ridiculously likable.
Goddamn crime that it was axed, while seemingly every other show that CBS renewed that year is utter shit.