Copper

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.

Copper may not be the greatest show on earth but it is damned good. Every time I start and episode I am put off by it for a few minutes, into it for a few more. Then straight up Enthrawled in it as the plot gains weight and momentum.

The show has exception gripping scenes of violence when it has them though it usually doesn't, but when they are their they fully justify the TVMA rating (which is hard to get considering the stuff that hell on wheels does only manages them a tv14).

The acting is superb, the setting well done despite a few quirks with some virtual backgrounds, though totally understandable given the small budget. all in all the people seem rough dirty and brutal.

Most of the show consists of a our main character corky navigating up and down the lines of inner and upper class as he searches for criminals. sick, petty. and vial criminals. that are intertwined in both.

The mellow drama isn't up to par with some other shows other but its not trying too hard and its also not trying to rip off these shows. In that the echos of deadwood are seen, if only they could make this like that, but that wouldn't happen, never the less the spirit in deadwoods creation is in this, just with less articulate melodrama.

The characters are interesting and engaging, the violence brutal and bloody and the way the plot snowballs in mini stories is great.

Its also a touch relaxing to watch, for all its brutality, its very comfortable. you trust the characters to behave as they should and in that kinda in a bit of a trip./

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

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.

Copper came out of the gate a bit slowly, and that turned out to be a good thing. It's written to give a good, solid character development that really comes in handy as the show progresses and avoids the usual 2 dimensional "good guy/bad guy" stuff where so many characters usually become boring in similar types of drama.

Tom Weston-Jones is solid as Irish American copper Kevin "Corky" Corcoran and he's completely believable as a 19th century law officer in the Five Points area of New York City trying to do the job as honorably as he can, as well as locate his missing wife and find the murderer of his young daughter, amongst other things. An added bit of gritty reality finds that he's human and sometimes finds himself tempted by stuff (and occasionally partakes in certain acts) that most viewers today know are pretty much illegal or at least borderline not lawful. That's what makes this series so good is that it plays on a part of 19th century history that was pretty messed up due to the tumult caused by the civil war, but not touched on too often in television, anyway, from the gritty appearances of the cast and the scenery, to the questionable law practices. That's what makes this show a standout.

BBC America has got a winner in this one and it just keeps getting better as the storyline is fleshed out a little more with each episode. I can see why Barry Levinson is not afraid to attach his moniker to this show as an executive producer. It's that good.