NCIS: Los Angeles

NCIS:Los Angeles was something I wasn't expecting to like. At first, it was rather rocky, with some sluggishly paced and unoriginal stories, clichés in the writing and characters that didn't come into their shell for a bit. Over time though, while it is not as good as the original series NCIS:Naval Crimimal Investigative Service, it has gotten better.

The series is handsome to look at, and the music is memorable and clever. The writing, pace and stories have gotten better and more interesting, and the characters more absorbing. When it comes to the acting, Chris O'Donnell and LL Cool J, two actors that I initially thought "no way is this going to work" are surprisingly good, and casting Linda Hunt I agree as the show's most interesting character to date is a masterstroke.

Overall, far from perfect but over time it has gotten better after a rocky start. 7/10 Bethany Cox

Shay Mosley has wreaked what used to be my fav crime show.

It took a while to get me interested in this series. Having been a long-time NCIS fan, I felt obligated to give it a fair shake. After the first few episodes, I felt bored and wondering if I should keep watching. Maybe it was because I was preoccupied when NCIS: LA would air. However, after settling down and focusing on the episodes, mainly the one where Dom gets kidnapped, I felt like they've hit their stride. There's no doubt this is a completely different show than the original NCIS. That's what makes it tolerable. They're not trying to copycat the other like the CSIs did in my opinion. They've got humor. They've got crimes they're trying to solve. They've slowly gotten some chemistry. Keep in mind, Shane Brennan is running both shows and he has yet to disappoint me on the original. They're in good hands and hopefully, they'll get even better. The first NCIS had a few bumps in the road during the first season and hit their stride in Season 2.

As opposed to other reviewers who are sadly so limited they can only conceive of Linda Hunt as an object of derision, I tune in specifically to see her. The show is adequate. I've always liked LL Cool J and it's nice to see Chris O'Donnell again. (The nerds suck, especially when you consider Abby from the original show.) But it's the presence of Linda Hunt that elevates this show. She's a rich, interesting actor and her character here has a great backstory.

Sure this team could be managed by yet another grizzled actor playing a tough as nails former Navy Seal type, whose life has been touched by tragedy because his wife died of breast cancer or his little girl choked on a marble. I'd rather have Linda Hunt because she is a true original. I've seen enough shallow cookie cutter actors with impossibly white teeth and ripped abs. Now I want to watch stories about people who are unique and unusual and earthy and human.

I used to love this show. I watch them all. But the past few years have catered to woke BS. Every other episode shows the bad guy as a white supremacist or an incell. Just branch out. The story is getting old.