The Unusuals

I like cop shows, which was one of the reasons I was drawn to this show. This is well-written, well directed, well acted show. It is mainly a drama with humor sprinkled throughout it. It manages to keep the viewer intrigued without the intense violence or graphic nature of most of the other popular crime shows we see today. I love cast of characters they have chosen. I turn each week to watch this show because I truly am drawn back to the storyline and the characters. I certainly don't tune in because ABC has advertised; since they don't. This is good show and it deserves a real chance to succeed. If you haven't watched this show, tune in and give it a chance. It is well worth the time spent watching it.

So here is another one of those outstanding network TV shows canceled WAY before its time (after only 10 episodes?!? Can you say "Firefly"?). Around four months before Jeremy Renner's big breakthrough role starring in Kathryn Bigelow's award-winning "The Hurt Locker," I happened to be surfing TV channels one night and land on an unconventional cop show, written and created for ABC by Noah Hawley, who would proceed to make "Fargo" and "Legion" (two more brilliant cable TV series). While a plot synopsis doesn't promise that much to write home about: Amber Tamblyn plays a rookie detective thrown in head first to partner up with the more seasoned (and also somewhat resentful) cop Renner, given how long and hard he's worked to make detective, and whereupon equal parts danger and hilarity ensue (See what I mean about a plot synopsis?), it's the eccentric cast of characters who prove to have such compelling personalities (like that of the supporting actors Harold Perrineau and Adam Goldberg). I don't know why I should've been surprised that a major TV network would would premier a new series in April and ax it by June, but this show had vanished by the month before "The Hurt Locker" with Jeremy Renner premiered in theaters at the end of July 2009. And of course, Harold Perrineau would go on to be on ABC's "Lost," as all of the talented cast landed on their feet. But just like the rest of corporate America (and just like Fox with Firefly) nobody at ABC would or did admit that they'd had an interesting series with excellent writing and acting that they'd totally screwed up-right before its star became a major Hollywood force. Well, at least real-life super-hero Jeremy Renner has gone on to have lasting success/last laughs!

I kept seeing the word 'Comedy' used to describe this show. And yes, the initial previews splashes gave you comedic moments-- which would lead your average viewer to expect a kind of 'Night Court' type cop show.

But now, I'm watching it. And it's a Drama. . .that has some threads of 'Funny' here and there. And it flips back and forth across the spectrum. There's a little 'Hill Street', a little 'Cops' plus some other shows the rest of you can fish up-- yet it's STILL DIFFERENT.

I'll call this 'Uneasy Drama' with a small side of 'funny' in the little paper cup like you used to get in a diner-- there for just enough Sweet & Sour to make you pucker up.

The Story here is about all these people in a small precinct who WANT to be Cops. But they ALL have secrets-- secrets that should close the Precinct door on them. Something in their past that they cannot let out. And despite all that, they go out and do the Job of keeping the streets safe.

For those of you who know-- the closest 'Uneasy' Drama I can think of was "Firefly". It has that same Mix of Unexpected Serious & Hilarious-- except you don't know which side of the slap you're gonna get at any minute. Yet the Network Marketed that show exactly the SAME WAY. Everyone thought it was gonna be a nonstop comedy-- and when it turned into something else, people didn't know what to do with it.

SO it is with "Unusuals". You could have a situation that starts looking Hilarious-- but then it turns Ugly-- and you feel uncomfortable because you were starting to chuckle. Or you could have the reverse.

For those of you looking for non-stop dark oily adrenaline-hyped emotional thunderstorms-- stick to 'The Shield' and 'Third Watch'

I just happen to like watching a Cop show where the cops are 'human' without the nonstop back-alley knuckle-punches and brutal spinal back-stabs. I like a Cop show that has police who aren't power-crazed motherless thugs who happen to have a Badge.

If you're only looking for Comedy with the canned 'Hahaha" in the background, then no-- this show is not for you.

But if you're looking for some human Cop drama that will entertain you and leave you with a good feeling. . .give this one a try.

The Writing is Good. And the Uncomfortable Spots-- are there on Purpose. Isn't that the point of Drama, anyway?

This was a very enjoyable show with a great cast of actors & actresses that I love in other things as well. I know we are not lacking for cop shows out there, but this one had its own thing going on. It seemed like every character was very much a unique character with baggage and quirks on the plenty. We had the rich girl, bubble boy, cancer guy, goody good... Someone from every realm. It seems very weird but it complimented the same old cops and bad guy routine nicely. I even liked the random dispatcher with the strange announcements. I am sad to see this didn't have more episodes but it was still worth watching what I did. On a positive note the show did not end with a huge cliffhanger, so I was not to upset with not knowing what was going to happen. It also didn't really have a series or season closure either... Just kind of ran out of episodes.

....That makes you want to find the executive (-s) responsible and slap them upside the head with a frozen tuna.

Seriously, this is one of the best cop shows made ever. Right out of the gate, you've got a show stuffed with well-written and well-rounded characters, absurd humor, sensitively written drama, tense action, and several subplots deserving of exploration.

Let's talk about the casting. Even at the time, when so many of these names and faces would go on to even more amazing roles, this was an amazing cast. Amber Tamblyn, Jeremy Renner, Harold Perrineau, Adam Goldberg, Terry Kinney, Monique Curnen. Even the guest stars: Miles Teller, Corey Stoll, Joanna Gleason (a national treasure btw), Chris Sarandon (same). And we can't forget the voice of the show, Marisa Vural as "Dispatch." There was so much talent here, it's almost criminal. (Har har har.)

Next we have the series writers, which included: Sarah Watson (whose credits include About a Boy, Parenthood, Pure Genius, and That's So Raven), Danny Zucker (The Arsenio Hall Show, Evening Shade, Roseanne, Grace Under Fire, Modern Family), Melissa Byer (Stargate: Atlantis, Crossing Jordan, Reaper, CSI, The Gifted), Robert De Laurentiis (St. Elsewhere, Providence, The O. C., The Umbrella Academy, Fargo). And let's not forget the series creator, Noah Hawley who wrote for Bones, Legion, and Fargo, while producing and directing episodes of the same (among other series). I mean, the man has won an Emmy, a Golden Globe, a Peabody Award, he's a novelist, screenwriter, series creator, showrunner, director, and producer. He's accurately named an auteur.

So with so much goodness wrapped around a show like this, why the hell was it cancelled? Well, it had disappointing numbers, ones that started out low and dropped even further as the weeks went on. Yet shows such as The Dick Van Dyke Show, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, All in the Family, M*A*S*H, Family Ties, Cheers, Seinfeld, and Homicide were the same and I think we know how they turned out. So, then, ultimately, why was The Unusuals cancelled? Was it cop show burnout? Was it insufficient advertising? Was it impatience with a more complex storyline and characters? I'm thinking all of the above, along with the standard issue of executive ignorance and - the worst possible reason - bad luck. So many shows succeeded when they should've failed because they dropped at the right time and caught the right audience. So many other shows failed when they should've succeeded because of the opposite - they never found their footing or the audience, advertiser, and executive support. Sadly, The Unusuals fell into this last category, joining a far too long list of other "Cancelled Too Soon" shows. But a show totally worthy of rewatching, if only to enjoy what was and mourn what could've been.