Taxi Brooklyn

After reading reviews here i was hesitant to watch the show, but with lack of anything else to do, i continued onto it anyway, and all the reviews are just haters. The first episode got a 7.7/10 and the story- line behind Cat is actually something i WILL definitely continue to watch the show for.

Responding to complaints from the others, Yes, The camera is a little shaky, but it's not the kind of pirated recorded on CAM shaky, it's the visual effects, following the character around shaky, and i didn't even notice it until i read a review that claimed it. You'll only be bothered by things like this if you have a weak attention span, or you aren't paying any attention to the show.

I didn't really see any problems when it comes to the characters or the execution of the plot, I really enjoyed the storyline, and will continue to look forward to the following episodes. Just saying, if you're someone who watches TV shows for the actual story, and not someone who watches them just to kill time, you'll enjoy this show. (It's not like the Simpsons or such that you can enjoy it without paying attention)

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.

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".

I don't get people who give bad reviews. A series is meant to give us a break from thinking about crap at work or school, etc. It's when we laugh at the craziness or root for a good outcome while trying to figure out who did it before the end. There have been pretty good shows lose out because the only people to say anything are usually the haters while for some strange reason shows that really suck are still around like the so called reality shows, Keeping up with the Kardashians, and their off shoots.

This show is fun, funny, sweet and entertaining. There were only a couple of actors that could have stepped up their game, otherwise it's a good series and I'd like to see more.

Plot can have similarity with other cop shows, but I think actors are quite successful with their genuine performances. Action, investigation, revenge, romance, emotions and humor are all inclusive. I think it deserves more ratings.

Sullivan and Romba have interesting backgrounds. We can learn more about their past, as the series progress I hope. Sullivan is a beautiful cop, yet she does not thrust and get close to anyone easily. Romba, on the other hand, has some numbers of tricks, he is very clever, honest and charming taxi driver who becomes sort of an assistant detective.

In the pilot other characters include a captain, a special agent, a mom, and a child who spice up the show altogether. Captain is a father figure and protective. Special agent is obsessive and jealous about his work, Romba and Caitlyn. Mom is supportive and child is a good son.

There is no offensive language. It is suitable for families. Lastly, I think the series should continue so I rate it 9/10 to support the effort of these talented crew.