Battle Creek

I enjoyed the show recently on Netflix. Halfway through the episodes I realized it was only one season. So disappointed, I almost stopped watching the rest of the episodes because I knew I won't be able to see what will happen in the lives of the characters. I loved the subtle humor and the personality of Russ. The two main characters played off each other well. It wasn't always realistic, but that's not what the show was going for. It was supposed to be entertaining and I think they nailed it.

This show makes me laugh. It fills a role in that it is unique enough & attracts an audience that hates those shows with the fake laugh track that aren't even funny. My husband and I look forward to it every week. They are doing a good job of developing the characters. I think it is on too late; not for me but it is light hearted and should come on earlier. I really hope CBS keeps it going & gives it a chance. We hardly watch any TV shows. We watch mostly sports on TV as most shows are not entertaining like this one. The stories are quite creative and downright corny. I mean corny in a good way. TV needs this show to continue. Battle Creek needs more advertising to attract the right viewers.

Though all the initial episodes were fine, they were not special by any means. With each episode, as we get to know the characters, the show seems to be growing on me. The friction between the two main characters has been played out well and with each episode dealing with past secrets or personal lives, the show gets interesting and promises to be special. The supporting characters have not yet been fully involved and some of them seem promising enough. The performances of most of the cast is fine. But, Dean Winters and Josh Duhamel have been very good along with the girl who plays Holly. I like the way the show does not limit itself to being only a comedy or drama.

The last episode is not really a finale but it does clear up the main question everyone was wondering all along. At least it won't leave you mad like some one season shows. I watched one a while back that ended with a cop facing an impossible moral decision and the screen goes to black and you hear a gun shot.

I always liked Dean Winters with his wise cracking attitude and he was the best thing about this show. It is worth the time to watch. They don't overdo the comedy angle. It's not a comedy show about cops; it's a cop show with some pretty funny moments at times. It also limits the blood and gore to fairly brief shots.

There are so many networks producing original programming that even decent shows like this one gets pulled at the first sign of a ratings drop. In the days when there were just 3 and 4 networks they would consider the quality of the program before canceling. A lot of the greatest classic series had poor ratings in the beginning. Now they think a season is 13 or even 10 episodes. They will kill the show without even airing episodes they have already taped. Or else they burn them off Saturday evening two at a time when most other channels are showing sports.

I have seen other cop shows about the same quality last several years. Too many series that have real potential like this are not given a chance.

The pilot shows a lot of promise. There are 2 likable leads and a good mix of unexpected comedy. A big city FBI agent played by Josh Duhamel who seems to do all the right things, joins a small town Michigan police department and partners with a slightly down trodden bitter detective there (Dean Winters). Sweet looking Aubrey Dollar has a supporting role. Janet McTeer seems a little out of place as Chief. It's funny to see the FBI technology and advances versus small town cop methods.

A couple of Breaking Bad references Vince Gilligan fans will notice. It feels more procedural and less intense.

Worth watching. High quality television.