Taxi Brooklyn

Contrary to what people are saying, I actually liked this. Even though the acting isn't amazing, I usually can't spot bad acting just because I'm focused on the story. Yes, it is predictable and uses a lot of cliché plot points, but it make for good entertainment. Clichés aren't always bad, and the predictability doesn't extend too far into possible major plot points. I'm looking forward to the next episodes, but not with edge-of-my-seat excitement. And I don't think that's writers intended. It's a comedy-drama not a drama-comedy. It's wasn't written to be thrilling. It was written to be fun and entertaining. This is just my opinion. I may not even watch the next episodes. I may just read the online recaps. I may not even do that. But what I can say is that I enjoyed the first episode, and am hoping it doesn't disappoint me in the future.

Firstly, I have not seen the pilot for this show yet. I only watched the second episode of it because it came on after America's Got Talent and I was too lazy to change the channel. I enjoyed the show but have the following problems with it:

1. NYC taxis have a plastic divider between the front seats and rear seats. This cab doesn't have one for obvious reasons of all shows set in NYC, to see the passengers in the back. But it's still wrong.

2. NYC taxis are in no way as "souped up" as this taxicab is. It's insane, the stunts this guy does with his cab are impossible for the average driver to do in a standard taxicab with standard suspension, engine, transmission, and tires.

3. There is no explanation for why he is such a skillful driver or why he is as observant as Sherlock Holmes in finding clues and analyzing them.

a. Perhaps they could come up with a back-story that he was a detective in his native country (France) who raced cars as a hobby.

4. Why is Chyler Leigh's character such a c--t? She is thoroughly unlikable despite being a sexy bitch.

5. While the cab driver is always complaining about losing fares giving the female detective rides, he seems to spend as much time investigating as she does. Why doesn't he just drop her off and then split; to pick up fares which is his living?

This show has much promise with good chemistry between the main characters, good plot lines, and lots of great action scenes. The producers just need to work on filling in the loose ends. If you're looking for a more realistic cop show, watch Law & Order this is just for escapist entertainment on par with "Knight Rider" and "The A-Team".

Leo Romba (Jacky Ido) is a french NY taxi cab driver. He spent 4 years in a French prison for being the wheel man in a bank robbery. It wasn't an easy imprisonment since the money belonged to some bad guys. NYPD Detective Cat Sullivan (Chyler Leigh) is investigating his father's murder. It's stuck in IA and they're stonewalling her. She's meeting a secret informer but she's disrupted by a bank robbery. The bank robber had hijacked Leo's cab. After crashing her car once again, she's banned from driving by her superior and forced to walk the beat. Instead she continues to investigate both the bank robbery and his father's death by getting Leo to drive her in his cab.

The premise looks really stupid and I couldn't believe the silly promo ads. So I had to check out the show. In that sense, this doesn't disappoint. It's a mess. This is supposed to be funny but the comedy is clunky. It's got bad annoying musical cues. I don't even know why they try to be funny. The only one marginally funny is Ally Walker as the wacky mother. In general, they should abandon any attempt to be funny.

The pilot is just jam packed with too much story. There is an intense bank robbery caper. Then everybody has a crazy backstory. Cat has daddy issues. A federal agent comes to pick up Leo and it turns out to be Cat's ex. Leo has a family back in France and I'm sure the bad guys are coming for him. At least they got a few car chases in. I always like real stunt driving. However it's so chaotic that I couldn't really enjoy them.

The acting is problematic. I like Chyler Leigh but she just doesn't fit as a cop. They try so hard to tomboy her up but the stylish pixie cut is just so cute. I don't remember french actor Jacky Ido other than in 'Inglourious Basterds'. I like him but I don't really know much about him. It's nice to see Jennifer Esposito back after her illness. I don't know how much input Luc Besson has in this. My best guess is that he had a general outline and other people crammed all kinds of junk into this. It's just a mess.

EDIT (after 7 episodes): The show improved in a few areas while problems still remain. First, the earthquake stopped. The shaky camera was half the problem. Second, the story is simplified more into a procedural. Thankfully the ex-husband is sidelined. Although it's a shame that Ally Walker and Jennifer Esposito seem to have also been reduced in their roles. Third, Chyler Leigh got a makeover. However she has gone too far the other way dressing like a fashionista. The taxi thing is still too convoluted. How Leo can still be in post 9/11 America considering he's an ex-con is beyond me. A guy like that couldn't possibly even get a visitor Visa in the real world. It's silly at best and uncomfortably stupid at its worst.

I'm thankful that I saw this TV Series (Taxi Brooklyn) before seeing these reviews because some of them would've discouraged me from ever seeing the show. Taxi: Brooklyn is a great TV series, with high potential. The only/key reason you may review this show as 'not good' is if you're not paying attention to the details of the characters, yet expecting them to be similar to other cop/TV shows you've seen before. Yes, the actors/actresses in this series are new and a little nervous at first, but like all good things, it takes time--the more you watch, their chemistry gets a lot better and you start to like the show. Also, the plot is like any other cop shows--a cop with personal and career issues, trying to balance/even out the good and the bad...and there're always obstacles. I am very disappointed that this show was canceled by NBC--I would very much like it to continue; PLEASE do not leave things the way the last episode ended.

As a bit of a TV junkie I don't get the horrible reviews. I've enjoyed every episode, especially the last one which had me rolling with laughter. Very well written. Her catching her mother and the captain was a riot.

From the reviews I gather we've seen the last of this refreshing, funny, unique cop drama. I'll miss it, along with Gang Related.

This summer saw a lot of interesting series television, which is normally crap because no one is watching TV, but I enjoyed most of them, the only exception being that dumb Sweden thing. Looks like 19-2 will survive for another season, which is great.