Gang Related

With the slew of terrible reality shows or unwatchable dramas, Gang Related is a breath of fresh air (especially on Fox). I know some people say something like this is impossible to believe or it's impractical. So what? It's entertaining and it's good. So many shows are cancelled before the have a possibility to show their true potential and for it being this early on it's unbelievably interesting. Also, has no one ever seen Donnie Brasco? It's just a reverse situation instead of cop infiltrating mob ,it's mob infiltrating police. Fighting to do good while protecting his own. The show has an amazing cast of actors and it shows in GR. I think the only mistake we could make with this show is letting it slip away without seeing it through. Is Ryan a pawn to the ones he loves or is he really family. Someone who is willing to do anything for the people closest to him despite being on the edge of what's right and what's wrong ,and where he stands as an officer and a family member. Is there more corruption than meets the eye? Will the mistakes of some cost lives of others,or jealousy? It's nice to get a show like this that feels like a movie every time I watch it. If your a fan of shows like Sopranos, Sons of Anarchy, or movies like Blood In Blood Out this is for you.

Gang Related offers tremendous promise; well cast, stylistic in design, emotional and character driven, by the second episode, I was already hooked. The show takes place in Los Angeles, and follows Ryan Lopez, an esteemed detective of a gang task force, struggling to distance himself from his past (and current) connections to a notorious Latino gang. Ryan's story feels very well-crafted, and it's easy to sympathize with his position, being a double agent who truly wants to do the right thing. As a devoted fan of Sons of Anarchy and Breaking Bad (the later of which is similar in story-line), I think Gang Related could become one of the more stimulating, edgier shows on the Fox network. Some viewers complain about the lack of vulgar language coming from the gang members. I think this is purely idiotic. Yes, we know networks are limited in certain ways, but slighting a show based on lack of profanity says more about the viewer than it does the creators. The show also has a great soundtrack, and the cinematography and set-design is fantastic. But above all, there is a great story to be told, so if you're into that kind of thing, you know, TV shows that actually tell stories and delve into dimensional characters, then give Gang Related a chance.

This was a great show I don't know why Fox canceled this series, Season 1 was addicting and a great binge watch, If you haven't seen this please don't hesitate!!

Fans of former FX show "The Shield" will love "Gang Related".

The show started off good and after the last few episodes, its reach GREAT status. Especially episode 7 (stealing back the Fish Scale). The acting is great, the story lines are somewhat believable. It does have a few faults -

No.1 - I love Javier Acosta (Cliff Curtis) and without him...perhaps this show is a dud. Yet when you have him speaking Spanish, you can tell he's not Mexican. This is especially evident when he's speaking with Los Metas member Miguel Salazar. It's not a deal breaker, just an observation.

No.2 - Gang Members don't wear bandannas across there forehead. I see this all the time and I just don't understand why Hollywood keeps making this mistake. If you have to have a bandanna on a gang member. Have it place around his throat, in the same manner someone might place it just before a robbery to partially cover there face. Just don't place it on there foreheads, it's not the 80's! Besides that, the rest of the gang members in the show, actually look like what you would see in the hood. I would suggest you have Carlos razor shave his head...we don't do fades.

Besides those small mistakes, I love this show. I've recommended it to my friends and all of them are now hook. Hopefully it gets picked up for a few more seasons.

PS. I've read news stories of Mexican's dislike how Gang Related portrays them. I'm Mexican and I have no issue at all. Would you rather be portrayed as a High School teacher who makes Meth? Or perhaps a leader of a Biker Gang? Both of these two shows give you a man who is good at heart and yet has to make some decisions that you may not understand. Yet, they do it for there FAMILY. Which is why I love Gang Related, S.O.A, The Shield and Breaking Bad.

I understand this is a pilot. So I am still going to give it a chance. I am 20 minutes into it right now and I want to turn it off. All that network money and you can't get RZA to lose his Shaolin accent? Nortenos in LA? Give me a break. This show has so much potential but the casting and plot is beyond stupid. At least Kurt Sutter attempts to be some what accurate in California Gang politics. The creator of this show must be a real douche bag in real life. This is the first time I have ever sensed it from watching a show. All you are doing is glamorizing criminal behavior in a bullshit fantasy way.

I wonder if Cliff Curtis longs for the day he can play a Polynesian shot caller, instead of always being casted as a Cartel or Mexican Gang leader. Regardless, the show has potential. FOX needs to step it up and gut the writers and maybe the creator of the show. Put somebody who knows what he is doing in charge.

5/30 Update: I guess I spoke too soon. That last episode was entertaining. I guess I wasn't stoned enough when I watched the pilot. I think this show will evolve into something good. Hopefully "Shield" level. Cliff Curtis is a very convincing shot caller. Upgraded from 3 to 6 stars.

6/6 Last update: When I am wrong, I am wrong. Show is getting better with each episode. Cliff Curtis is a bad mofo. Upgrading this to 8.