The Chicago Code (2011) User Reviews

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[ppfclark · 8/10 · 22 February 2011]

Police procedural drama at it's best! AWESOME!!!!!! From Sean Ryan (The Shield). Ryan's penned most of the episodes himself. Highly stylized, very commercial and easily accessible. Snappy dialogue, interesting use of narration and strong performances help elevate this show to programed viewing.

I felt the need to post this review (my first on IMDb) after reading the 1/10 review posted by a former member of the Chicago Police Force. Although I echo his sentiments that this show is not an accurate depiction of life on the streets of Chicago and I can see where real police officers might take offence; this is a prime-time network COP show. Surely this show is not nearly as offencive as CSI Miami is to crime scene investigators or how Michael Bay spat in the faces of WWII vets with his shocking "Pearl Harbor" (Thank god he's been restricted to playing with his toy robots and is no longer toying around with history).

Yes! It's highly sensationalized, over the top and not in any way true to life... BUT... That doesn't mean it doesn't rock. David Simon's "The Wire" was real political commentary that strove for gritty realism. It addressed real problems and suggested real solutions. THIS IS NOT "THE WIRE". High level corruption, the Irish mob and dirty cops are mere plot devices used to raise the stakes for our idealistic heroes. It's Hollywood drama boxed into 42 minutes or less a week. It's polished TV with great production value and lush exterior photography (filmed on location, unlike the creepy CSI labs that scream POORLY LIT STUDIO SET).

TV vet. and character actor Jason Clarke rocks! He embodies and breaths life into an otherwise over the top character. Jarek Wysocki (a man of true grit) is as unforgettable a character as Vic Mackey ("The Shield"). Sean Ryan is a great writer. His strength as a writer is in fleshing out overly romanticized heroes and anti-heroes. Realism and political commentary are secondary to character development. His dialogue and banter shine. Finally a network TV show that doesn't center itself around weekly licensed music montages (CSIs/Grey's Anatomy/Smallville/House = worst offenders).

Hair, make-up and costume departments need to tone things down. Cars and clothes are too new and far to expensive for honest, incorruptible public servants. A little more grit would serve this show well. The show's off to a great start. Let's hope they can keep the ball rolling.

Chicago's Finest

[tim-972-738059 · 8/10 · 9 February 2011]

My wife and I are very picky about the types of shows we watch, especially when it comes to crime dramas. They are a dime a dozen.

So, I went in to last night's episode with great skepticism and my finger ready to hit a different channel at a moment's notice.

But from the very beginning, this show grabbed us. Who cares if it is not "realistic" based on some anonymous Chicago cop review? It's a fictional drama. The show is well-casted, great dialogue, and a good storyline.

I love the narration by the different characters and the unexpected ending of the initial pilot that makes you connect with the characters and anticipate the next episode.

So far, so good.

Chicago cops struggle to stem corruption in the city.

[einnoc10 · 9/10 · 9 February 2011]

This show is just going to get better and better. How do I know that? Because Jason Clarke, who played Red in Johnny Depp's Dillinger movie "Public Enemy" and also played the "good" political brother on the series "Providence" is a wonderful actor and Jennifer Beals and DelRoy Lindo aren't too shabby, either. Plus, you've got Chicago, the city of big shoulder and beautiful skylines. As creator Shawn Ryan (who grew up in nearby Rockford) said: "Chicago is the center of the universe." And, as the script on Tuesday, February 7, premiere night, put it: "If you can't love Chicago, you can't love anything. This city survived the Chicago fire and ended up building the world's most beautiful skyline. If it's one thing Chicago knows, it's how to hit back." The city of Chicago is a big part of this storyline, as many of the scenes were filmed in the streets and alleys and byways (my son walked in on one in a Bridgeport bar last summer). Trust me: This series is only going to get better and better. The anti-profanity cop who changes partners almost daily. The crusading female police Superintendent who came up as a beat cop. The 114 real Chicago policemen who have appeared in episodes so far: they're all going to come through, as long as the writing continues to have lines like, "Why are you sweating like we just entered you in a spelling bee." (See my full review at Associated Content).

Great Series

[pammysinn-53-552288 · 10/10 · 14 May 2011]

Personally I love the show and was sad to read it has been cancelled. I saw the premier episode and was hooked right away on the characters. I love the tension between the Superintendent and the Alderman. It reminds of the few really good shows that have been on over the years - i.e., Hill Street Blues; NYPD Blue. A previous review stated the he thought Jennifer Beals accent was not genuine but I have seen her in an interview and she stated she was born in Chicago.

Waseki is a great character. Perhaps a problem with some people who do not appreciate the show is that they are not paying attention to the excellent one- liners that he delivers.

Cop Fluff, But The Best Kind!

[koivulag · 10/10 · 8 February 2011]

I really enjoyed the premiere episode of this new cop series. Going in I had no idea what to expect and having very little knowledge of Chicago I had no bias.

Let's be clear; this is no hard hitting show. This is no Southland. It's not the opposite in complete nonsensical fluff and action scenes in Hawaii Five O either. It's a show based on the incredible power of great acting and the dynamic characters that are created because of it. It uses quick and interesting flashbacks that allow you to immediately connect with the characters, as well as establish unity amongst the rest of the cast.

The first episode started off the series in perfect fashion, grabbing my attention and initiating multiple story lines while throwing in a ton of action sequences and great dialogue. The main three characters are tremendous. Jennifer Beals is completely believable as the hard hitting, straight and narrow first female Superintendent who is transforming the entire force. Delroy Lindo was made for the role of Alderman Ronin Gibbons. Jason Clark plays the perfect intense Jarek Wysocki.

I can't wait for the next episode and hope this show gains a lot of heat as it was thoroughly entertaining and left me wanting for more.

Give it a shot if you're on the fence and enjoy shows based on solid characters and quick flowing episodes.

Best Cop Show EVER!

[alkerfn-mw · 10/10 · 25 May 2011]

This show has (or had) it all. The story lines in this drama series kept me on my seat week after week. The undercover cop, the death of Wysocki's brother, the infidelity, the strong woman as lead cop.... Enough with the same old Law and Order mindless, stolen from the headlines dribble. Finally a cop show with guts. I really don't care if the one time Chicago cop didn't find it real! Maybe he didn't get the memo. It's a TV SHOW! Not a DOCUMENTARY! It's purpose is to entertain you. Maybe Glee is more his liking! The final 2 episodes were the best I have yet to see on a TV series. I never knew what to expect and the plots and subplots were simply undeniably sensational and unexpected. I sure hope some other channel picks this show up. Before it is too late!

Excellent

[binky8177 · 9/10 · 23 May 2011]

I didn't watch this show much when it started but after I caught a few episodes here and there throughout the season, I wish I had watched the entire season. I found each of the episodes I watched to be very entertaining and exciting. I watched the last 4 or 5 episodes regularly, which was very easy since I was watching House in the time slot immediately before Chicago Code. While watching the final episodes, particularly the episodes during the last 2 weeks of the season, I couldn't help feeling extremely frustrated that the show had been cancelled by Fox. I think it had a lot of promise and that promise was thrown aside. I wish that Fox would have taken a chance on a show like this and ditched some of the stupid reality shows that seem to permeate every network's schedule now-a-days. Hopefully Fox will replace it with an equally entertaining or more exciting show next season and not more of that BS reality garbage. R.I.P. The Chicago Code

Great Cop Show

[tracysearle84 · 28 July 2011]

I am shocked to be watching the last episode ever of this great show. I have a tendency to become bored with a series very quickly but this one has kept me entertained... I have been wishing for certain characters to succeed & others to fail or fall. Very good TV. I can not believe its ending after just one series. Fox need a slap, good & proper. Its great getting these shows via Sky but am getting fed up of getting into some really good shows to only find out towards the end of the first or second series that they've been cancelled. Lie to me being another great show from the states!

Thanx for the chance to have a rant...

Disappointed at first, seems to bet getting better...

[casey35 · 7/10 · 22 March 2011]

Being from Chicago and a fan of cop dramas, I had high hopes for this show. I admit, I was initially disappointed. It seemed to be a bit cheesy and ridiculous, emphasizing things such as the "Irish mob" and other Chicago stereotypes. The last couple of episodes have gotten away from that and there are some promising story lines. If they keep it on track and don't stray off in too many directions, I think this is a promising show with a chance for renewal. As other viewers have mentioned, the accents do seem off at times. I think they were trying too hard and ended up making them sound worse. Overall, I enjoy watching this show and hope it continues to improve.

Great fun, shot mostly on location in one of the most photogenic cities in the country

[ron3-2 · 9/10 · 15 February 2011]

There have only been two episodes so far, but I love the overall direction of the story line, as well as the writing.

I spent the first 6 years of my life in Chicago, and returned many times after that until I was around 30 or so. It's now been a couple decades plus since I've been back. Nonetheless, the city is instantly recognizable here--even though it seems to be shot so far mostly on the south side, and I've spent all my time there as a kid and young adult on the north side.

Chicago has a very distinctive visual personality made from a mix of fairly unique residential architecture, back alleys and of course, the omnipresent El, threading it's way through, and connecting together, various areas of the city. That so much of every episode is shot on location really helps give this story about the mix of corrupt politics with cops + robbers an anchor in reality--even if some reviewers here consider the plot line itself a bit light on reality, or even disrespectful to the real memory of the officers with whom they themselves served.

While I can't comment on that aspect, so far I love it for what it is--a thoughtful, fun and well acted action police drama with an exciting visual style. This one should be a winner for Fox.

Ron H

Delroy Lindo is perfect, Jennifer Beals needs more power

[SnoopyStyle · 7/10 · 13 September 2013]

Honest Chicago police superintendent Teresa Colvin (Jennifer Beals) clashes with corrupt Alderman Ronin Gibbons (Delroy Lindo). On her side is Jarek Wysocki (Jason Clarke) who's trying to clean up the city. About the only people Jarek can count on are his niece Vonda Wysocki (Devin Kelley), her partner Isaac Joiner (Todd Williams), and Liam Hennessey (Billy Lush) undercover in the Irish mob.

This was good.... for network TV. It was never going to have the violence or the grittiness of cable. So it suffers from the comparison. Not to be sexist, but Jennifer Beals doesn't have the heft to be the top cop. Delroy Lindo is great, and perfect for the role. Jason Clarke has good intensity. Overall it's a good attempt and deserves a second season. Too bad it didn't get it.

The best, if not greatest cop show EVER!

[Phylum22 · 9/10 · 22 August 2021]

Then FOX cancel it! Why? Because it did not appeal to the younger generation? What on earth does that mean? The rest of us didn't matter?

Pretty soon, nobody will watch series, as we all know, TV companies will do what they want. None of us matter.

good

[fensser · 7/10 · 25 November 2020]

Jason Clarke carries this show. Delroy Lindo is good as usual. I like Jennifer Beals, she makes a convincing boss, her accent is way over the top but funny - "crwiminal" "prwosecution."

another Fantasy from Fox

[cpd14931 · 1/10 · 7 February 2011]

As a Chicago Police Officer and longtime resident, this is a travesty. It is not just a little off, it is INSANE. Just in the opening sequence, the so-called Superintendent engages in a public showdown of sorts with the Mayor. The next minute the lead characters are driving alongside some thug and engage him in a conversation - at 80 miles per hour - while he is pointing a gun at them, asking him nicely to please drop the gun... This is followed by scenes in which the Superintendent shows up at various murder scenes, and tells our hero detective that he has her permission to take over any other murder investigation he feels like, which he promptly proceeds to do. She follows that up by barging in on an interrogation, and allows some gang-banger to sit there defiantly, pointing his finger in her face, telling her she'd better show him respect...

Combine that with the theme - that it's the "Irish Mob" that is crippling Chicago, and the use of the Chicago Police Memorial - bearing the names of more than 500 Chicago Police Officers who have given their lives in the line of duty - to be used here as a prop for this pathetic drivel... that was all I could take.

If you like fairy tales, keep on watching. If you want to know what it's really like to be a Chicago Police Officer, get the book instead: "Chicago Cop: Tales from the Street."

First Impressions

[ldrmd6 · 9/10 · 12 March 2011]

Delroy Lindo makes it for me - he definitely demonstrates that a character can be both slithery and seductive (dare I say EVIL?), just like T-Bag in Prison Break.

I appreciate the potential for cutting character development between the prime detective and his (potentially) ever-changing partner, but I still reserve judgment on the female lead. She definitely deserves the chance to prove herself (JB needs to dissolve type-casting), but her physical presence so far does not match what her Chicago Code job description demands.

The plots are engaging, and the corruption believable. Thus far I am engaged, and I am sincerely rooting that the show continues to be WOWable.

FOX Dropped The Ball

[Cuda1169 · 10/10 · 3 March 2013]

It s too bad that they dropped the ball on this T.V. show not only did i think it was a Great show but every one that i have talked with also enjoyed it.

They not only had a perfect cast fr this show the creators had every role casted perfectly, As i can not think of any other actor or actress playing of these characters better then the cast that was assembled. As well as Chiacgo it's self becomes a character with stories and attitudes that can be anything from funny to terrifying to heart-breaking, never knowing which is coming next.

I am really sad that it was not picked up for more seasons, But i will say at least they did wrap up every thing in the last show and didn't really leave anything up in the air. so at least you got a full sense of a movie over the 13 Episodes. i for one could see at least 4 or 5 more seasons out of this great police crime drama.

too bad fox it was a great family show that will be missed can always hope it gets picked up again i guess :)

Blast from the past

[pablo5-562-252546 · 10/10 · 23 December 2012]

Still remember her in FLASHDANCE... . wow. what a revelation !! It was unintentional, but she changed the swagger and the countenance of the cinema for ever. I was a baby in the 80s , and watched the flashdance many times as a flash back in some Sunday afternoon. Which is typical in Argentina.

I like the series , and she look great. Time passed by and she is still great, and pretty.

Something funny, even if she acts in the most precious piece of Cinema Noir, And she performs the role of a perspicacious COP , she will be named as THE CHICK OF FLASHDANCE... funny in-it ??

One last (sigh) The Chicago Code to go

[scarfaceprince · 10/10 · 17 May 2011]

If there was any doubt that good drama on network television goes unappreciated, I urge you to go and check out the next to last episode of The Chicago Code at the Fox website. A series that was canceled by Fox this past week, The Code appears to be just reaching its stride as the series heroes, Superintendent Colvin(Jennifer Beals), and her former street partner, confidant, and Batman like hammer Jarek Wysocki (Jason Clarke), close in on bringing complicated, often effective, but positively corrupt Chicago city Alderman Ronin Gibbons' (the great and perfectly cast Delroy Lindo)crime syndicate to justice. And even naming Gibbons "Ronin," taken from legendary Samurais without Masters, is a subtle reminder of creator Shawn Ryan's genius here.

There is unfortunately only one more of these gripping episodes to be aired (May 23rd at 9 pm). Ryan, who gave FX the unforgettable cops of The Shield, Code had "keeper" literally written all over it, but fell victim to audiences who appear to only want cookie cutter procedurals and a not top flight serial drama that takes time to unfold. Thus Fox sliced off the series before it had a chance to expand its audience base.

But, in giving The Code the boot, Ryan was forced to complete the crime story arch quickly and, for the benefit of the show's fans, his writing turned out recent stories that had to be more crisp and urgent. For example, the drama flowing out of the pores of the confrontation between Wysocki and Gibbons at the close of this week's episode was magnificent. Lion against Tiger and face-to-face.

**Spoiler Alert** That clash between the titans, featuring Gibbon's offer to name the killer of Wysocki's brother, the premise on which the main character's story arch was based, was preceded by Colvin's interrogation of Gibbon's just arrested Irish mob kingpin partner (Patrick St. Espirit), whose daughter, his bookkeeper-of ill-gotten-gains, had just put a seemingly fatal round into Liam (Billy Lush)the series' intrepidly moral undercover officer, who had just saved the live of the crucial key witness against Gibbons and his gang, with said witness then immediately showing his gratitude by then decided to not testify after all. **End of Spoiler**

And this all happened in seemingly the last five minutes of the episode.

Next week The Chicago Code ends, and while my heart would like someone, anyone, who has the sense to see that The Code is the next The Wire, pick up this great tale and continue it on until Colvin, ala Tommy Carcetti in The Wire, becomes a Governor, or Senator or, hell even the first woman President of the U.S.)-- with Wysocki by her side (they are meant for each other as a couple), its probably over.

And that is going to be a shame. Maybe Ryan's premise did not have enough overarching drama. There was no assassination or terrorist plots to give the show the kind of meaning audiences want. For example, there was no use of Chicago's natural advantages, such as being the home of the current U.S. President, or current world President Oprah. And no scenes being out on Lake Michigan, and no reference to any of the films that have been shot there (such as the Batman films). In hindsight Gibbons should have been running for mayor all along, and what about tie ins to the juicy Rod Blagojevich scandal? Seems to me Ryan was not smart enough to use any of these symbols to better his product.

In not doing so Ryan did not give Americans outside of Chicago a reason to care about it or the characters. There was also just not enough messy conflict within each of the characters to make us give a damn. Wysocki's sister should have been a secret druggie, or anything other than squeaky clean. And maybe older brother Wysocki will turn out to be a hitter for Gibbons who just got hit himself. There's still a week to go.

The Chicago Code had promise but as compelling as it was, Ryan failed to deliver more pop, to distinguish the show from the plain vanilla.

And that is a shame.

A messy, unprovocative police drama is all style and no substance

[TombRaider09 · 13 February 2011]

A woman enters a politician's office telling him that she's stumbled upon some evidence linking the company she works for to bribery within Chicago's political scene. Soon, she is killed. Well, apparently she was smart enough to know a bribe when she sees one, but not quite clever enough to realize that you do not report bribery to the very people who may well be the people accepting those bribes.

After this fatal mistake, the superintendent of the Chicago police (Beals) assigns Detective Wysocki (Clarke), a tough guy with a history of scaring off his partners and sleeping with his ex-wife while being engaged to another woman, to investigate the murder and help her expose the corruption in her city.

It me amazes me how flexible the superintendent's schedule is. She has the time to visit crime scenes, gangsters and the like in a city big enough to drown her in administrative duties. Well, perhaps she has delegated all her actual responsibilities to someone else.

Meanwhile, a bunch of irrelevant, lifeless characters dance around the case. Detective Wysocki's niece may or may not be falling for her partner, who may or may not be a douche-bag. Detective Caleb Evers (Lauria) sees things others don't and knows how to work with Det. Wysocki, which very well may be an actual miracle, considering Wysocki's track-record.

When all is said and done, we can be sure that these cops will do anything to bring down the corruption in the city. They also manage to bring interest in the show's storyline to a screeching halt, but perhaps its a problem one can fix, but I have a feeling it will require more than a few good bullets.

Cop Show, Chicago Style (Would that be deep dish?)

[redryan64 · 7/10 · 7 February 2012]

BEING TOO CLOSE to a particular subject matter may tend to render one's attitude towards any impartial review as being, if not spoiled, it would be at least somewhat jaded. In order to measure the value of a dramatic piece, one must first do his best to compartmentalize one's personal knowledge from the artistic value of the drama.

WITH REGARD TO today's specimen in question, THE CHICAGO CODE (blah-blah, 2011)the very short lived Police Drama on the Fox Network last year, we do confess that we did have some difficulty in doing so. The fact that this writer had been a Chicago Copper for close to 35 years did weigh in heavily in this regard.

WE DID FIND many aspects of just what popular fiction does portray as realism in bringing the world of the big city Police to the screen. In all fairness, this is not limited to this series and, indeed, there are many other, many much more glaring exaggerations in many more cop & robber series over the years.

AS FAR AS the settings, the art direction and the overall look of the series, the production team gets the highest marks available. The choice of the external sights; blank-blank ans well as the Fox Television Network, both receive the highest marks available. Our fair, old town has a wealth of sections & communities; which all have their distinctive looks. These various degrees of photogenic urban landscapes were exploited to the highest by the filming crews.

CONSIDERING THE CAST and the incremental character and plot developments that were unfolding, we have to admit (somewhat begrudgingly) that there was some outstanding things happening in THE CHICAGO CODE. Could it be that it had won me over into the great clan of its admirers? Well, it could be!

NOW PLEASE ALLOW us to finish up with one last, rhetorical question. Just what could have prompted the Fox Network to pull the plug on this series after only 13 episodes? Had it not taken other long running, now classic series some time to catch on? Ever hear of I SPY or HILL STREET BLUES? They didn't catch on right away; but both proved to be all time great entries into TV's rich and ever growing history.

OKAY, SO WE hear that the world of television entertainment is much more competitive now. Still, we can only wonder and close out this essay with those four small, yet mighty words......

"WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN!"

Great 1 season TV series

[Maniac-9 · 9/10 · 2 February 2012]

The Chicago Code may have only lasted 1 season with a total of 13 episodes but what an interesting show while it lasted. The show was created by Shawn Ryan who was also the creator of The Shield and The Unit so you know that his qualifications are very high.

The show was canceled much sooner then it should've been and they could've easily gotten 4-5 seasons out of the show. But that's out of our control and the show at the very least being such a short series was able to be high quality from the start to finish. They were able to wrap up most of the important plot points so the network at least gave enough of a heads up to finish stuff up instead of giving them no warning and canceling the show being in the middle of multiple story lines.

Shame that this show didn't appear on FX, AMC or TNT so it could been given a longer leash and it didn't have to worry about ratings so much from the word go.

Only one season really FOX

[anthjs8 · 10/10 · 10 April 2022]

This show was great I really wish fox would've renewed this because it was very good... great list of actors and a great story line.... FX should think about a reboot of this asap and it's way better than Chicago PD and a lot of other shows on tv in this day and age #TheChicagoCode.

I'm just not sure...but leaning towards a no.

[frcarvell1-2 · 4/10 · 7 February 2011]

The Chicago Code is just OK....it's nowhere near as complex and personal as Detroit 1-8-7 with their spot-on character development and crisp writing or Southland with their in your face humanity but I'll still give it a second look-see next week for any improvements. Having fallen in love with her in her roll as Daphne Monet in 1995's Devil in a Blue Dress, I have a hard time with Jennifer Beals as police superintendent; it's just not believable...put thirty or so extra pounds on her and a stain on her uniform from the preceding days lunch and she'd fit much better. On the other hand, Delroy Lindo as the corrupt Chicago alderman is totally believable…and if we're going to involve the Irish mob, then let's some actors with that Southie "I don't care if you're dead or alive" attitude, instead of the fresh off the farm faces that we saw in the opening hour. More grit, dirt and under the loop grime would help this new Fox entry.

The Best Cop Show on TV

[Lewis01-228-458550 · 10/10 · 6 June 2021]

I have just watched the best cop show on television. The writing was spectacular with a fantastic plot line. You couldn't ask for a better cast. I believe that if it was advertised more there would have been a bigger following. Those that did watch it raved about the show.

I am sorry that no matter how great a show is that if you don't have viewers than the show cannot survive. For it is all about the money and not the art.

An Excellent Police Show

[fordn1 · 10/10 · 29 December 2011]

This show has to be absolutely one of the best police shows that I can recall. The lead was great in Flashdance and I was most pleased to see her return. The heavy politician is aptly played and acted as are the rest of the cast. Whoever did the casting in my mind did an absolutely fantastic job. Unfortunately 13 episodes I suppose was the unlucky number. Like Star Trek with James T. Kirk back in the late 60's the show was not renewed after several seasons but later in reruns was the seed that grew into multiple movies as well as later versions of Star Trek. While I hesitate to say that this will happen with The Chicago Code I would hope that this show in reruns will bring back both the critics as well as the advertisers to bring the show back to be again enjoyed. A great show that did not need to be discarded like an old smelly sneaker. A shame really.....