Copper - Justice is brutal

When I first saw the trailer for Copper, I figured it would be like a continuation of 'Gangs of New York.' How wrong I was. Though the setting of Copper mimics that of 'Gangs,' it goes further beyond into the seedy underbelly of the Five Points. It focuses not on revenge or the Civil War, but rather what problems plagued the detectives that tried to keep order in a lawless town.

On its own, Copper is a unique perspective on how justice was done in America. Essentially, the show is about Kevin Corcoran, a detective in the Five Points who stops at nothing to get his man, even the ones that think they are above the law. He relies heavily on his partner, Francis Maguire, during the inevitable trouble that follows them wherever they go. Kevin also invokes the help of a black doctor, Matthew Freeman, whose brilliant mind helps the detectives identify certain characteristics of victims that will lead to the killer. But their relationship is tricky due to the fresh wounds that are present from a recovering nation after the Civil War.

This show is not at all shy or subtle in its approach as to how things were back then. From the issues of race, class, peer pressure, and the common practice of child prostitution, nothing is left untouched by Copper. This show is certainly not afraid of offending people and you know what? That's what makes it so good to watch.

Tom Weston-Jones commands the screen from the first glance and refuses to let go as we are introduced to more characters. He gives an air of mystery and respectability to his role as Kevin Corcoran. He and his co-stars are able to carry the load of heavy scenes that might otherwise make viewers uncomfortable in an understated way. The fact that the bulk of them are complete unknowns (at least in America) allows the audience to watch without any preconceived notions about what to expect.

Overall, I really liked the pilot. It has serious potential as it was able to balance a certain number of characters with intertwining story lines that make sense. It would be easy for the writers to back away from the uncomfortable situations that the characters get into, but I hope they don't. The raw talk and bold themes are what make this show unique.

I was hooked by the promos. Although I like period dramas, usually my preferences tend more toward much earlier times. The atmosphere, the setting, even the costumes on "Copper," however, bespoke something unusual.

The actors are spot-on. Their characterizations are very human, making them both likable and unlikeable. Justice is often dispensed based on situational ethics rather than word of law. This is refreshing, since we don't have to root for every one, every time.

The writing, production values, even the editing make the show compelling and the unanswered questions persuade me to come back each episode to see how the plot is furthered. While we still don't have the larger answers, there is enough going on in the foreground so that this is not a drawback. It makes the denouement worth waiting for.

I have favorites among the characters, of course, but have a couple of unfavorites, as well: Eva, the friends-with-benefits "businesswoman" who, apparently doesn't mind snuffing out any potential rivals for someone who, in the end, will never be hers, anyway (she's quite awful: who would want to be?) and the evil child we've seen in so many horror movies that I, for one, can't muster up even a modicum of sympathy for. They and a smattering of others simply elicit the "Can't wait for this one to buy it" response.

It's outstanding in the current field. This, alas, means it probably will have a short shelf-life, as so many imaginative, non-generic shows do. I sincerely hope, however, that this proves the exception.

And it delivered. I was not expecting much from this show, not because of the relatively unknown actors, but because there's a lot of "back in the day" shows coming out the last couple of years (Deadwood, Hell On Wheels, Boardwalk Empire etc) though this show has certain hints from other shows, it has it's own gritty feel about it.

The characters are great, and you never know who is doing what or who they are doing it for, there's no "Oh I know what's about to happen" and even if you get that thought process, it's a very unlikely chance you'll have guessed it right.

As stated in a previous review it's not the greatest show on earth, but just when you're about to give up on it, you get smacked in the face with the next scene which leaves you hanging for the next season, I do recommend watching this if you are a fan of Deadwood/Hell On Wheels.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I want SOMEONE preferable the director, producer, cinematographer, somebody to explain why they took a captivating story- line cast, and perfect momentum and made several radical departures that obviously hurt the show so much that led to it's ultimate demise...

Where somebody working on Season 2 screwed up - perfect examples:

#1) Season 2 - Episode 1: Why would you start developing an absolutely maniacal antagonist in the first episode who carved up Franka Potente's back in over-gruesome fashion only to have him killed later in the same episode?

#2) The basic camera filter used to shoot Season 1 depicted a period piece beautifully, and you could tell in the first 3 minutes of the first episode in season 2, that awful over-sepia-toned filter would throw audiences immediately off who had been eagerly anticipating the show to pickup right where it left off at the end of season 1.

#3) Kiara Glasco...this young lady playing Annie Reilly was brilliant in playing a very difficult young character, and she held her own in nearly ever episode. Her role was minimized in season 2 and an obvious void was apparent.

I could go on but these are my top 3, and they are absolutely inexcusable. Whoever deviated so drastically from the success of season 1 should be ashamed of themselves, and they owe Tom Weston Jones a HUGE apology for taking away one of the new great period characters American audiences have seen and will see, in a long damn time.

Just a shame.

-DSC

The historical evidence is correct. The cast is well assembled with unknowns in America. I sense Shakespearean acting experience in the deliveries of several of the cast members. This elevates the performances. I like the idea of the "mystery" presented in the first episode. This allows background to build along the way. Several openings were exposed for this material to grow. The beginnings of a budding city that will become a great city has major growing pains. The plot demonstrates this well. I enjoyed the artistry in showing the distinctions between the class system strongly evident in early America. The strength of the Irish element is excellently portrayed.