I'll admit that I was very skeptical when this show came on because it was a Canadian show going up against American cop dramas. But, it does have its moments.
The SRU definitely have a way with words and it's nice to see cops try to talk a perp down from a situation much like negotiators do in real life.
What gets me down on this show is that it goes out of its way not to solve issues with violence, but to the point of being contrived. For example, in one episode, a kid who wants to be the next Son of Sam is holed up in a motel room with a violent felon.
He pistol whips the ex-con and escapes through a secret hatch into the sewer. The hatch is beneath a carefully made-up bed and a carpet so smooth it isn't wrinkled. The room is also on the second floor. So, we have to believe he pistol-whipped the felon, lifted the bed, pulled back the rug, lifted the hatch to the sewer and got down there through another room. Meanwhile, the hatch is put back, the rug smoothed over and bed set back down, the sheets and blanket neatly fixed by an unconscious man on the floor.
I'm not sure if the Toronto emergency response team that the SRU is based on is based on the SEALs or Delta team, but it's difficult to watch a team that is "Law & Order," "CSI," "SVU" and Goren from "Criminal Intent" all rolled into one.
Still, Hugh Dillon carries his weight. Amy Jo Johnson is okay, although I still can't picture her as anything but the Pink Ranger.
Personally, I'll stick to "Criminal Intent" until it ends. I don't think I'll replace it with "Flashpoint."
The SRU definitely have a way with words and it's nice to see cops try to talk a perp down from a situation much like negotiators do in real life.
What gets me down on this show is that it goes out of its way not to solve issues with violence, but to the point of being contrived. For example, in one episode, a kid who wants to be the next Son of Sam is holed up in a motel room with a violent felon.
He pistol whips the ex-con and escapes through a secret hatch into the sewer. The hatch is beneath a carefully made-up bed and a carpet so smooth it isn't wrinkled. The room is also on the second floor. So, we have to believe he pistol-whipped the felon, lifted the bed, pulled back the rug, lifted the hatch to the sewer and got down there through another room. Meanwhile, the hatch is put back, the rug smoothed over and bed set back down, the sheets and blanket neatly fixed by an unconscious man on the floor.
I'm not sure if the Toronto emergency response team that the SRU is based on is based on the SEALs or Delta team, but it's difficult to watch a team that is "Law & Order," "CSI," "SVU" and Goren from "Criminal Intent" all rolled into one.
Still, Hugh Dillon carries his weight. Amy Jo Johnson is okay, although I still can't picture her as anything but the Pink Ranger.
Personally, I'll stick to "Criminal Intent" until it ends. I don't think I'll replace it with "Flashpoint."