Raines

This series has a great deal of potential. When Detective Raines (goldbloom) begins working on a case to solve the death of a young woman he starts having hallucinations. The victim of the murder appears perfectly real to him, and throughout the episode he continues to carry on conversations with her.

Now here is what makes this premise and this series interesting:

1.There is nothing at all supernatural about his hallucinations. In fact they only know what he knows. By talking to these hallucinations he is really reasoning through the crime.

2. In the process this makes the victims of the crime very real to the viewer. Most crime dramas begin by finding a dead body and the rest is a chase to catch the killer, and none of the characters become fully developed. By the end of Raines however, the victim of the murder is a dynamic and unique individual.

3. Because Raines' hallucinations only know what he does, the character of the victim shifts through the episode. This is a very useful tool. Unlike most series that only focus outside events, these hallucinations give the viewer a window into Raines' own mind.

4. The fact that Raines' visions are only hallucinations and that he is aware of that fact makes this show much more interesting a series like Medium, which Raines has unfairly been compared to.

5. The absence of supernatural elements makes the series science-friendly. This is not to say I don't like shows or movies about the supernatural, but there are very few series or movies consider supernaturalism and reject it directly.

This quick comment is based on the first episode only.

I hope the quality of writing and the premise of the series continue to play out along this course. The quickest way to ruin what has all the earmarks of a very good series would be to hint that there may really be something supernatural going on, to move away from character development, or to bring in God, angels, or psychics as explanatory tools.

My vote would have been a 9 or a 10 for this series, but currently it is 8 because only one episode has been broadcast and it is therefore difficult to determine if the quality will remain high from the pilot episode. I have great hopes for this series, but many times series go in a different direction than the pilot episode would suggest, and so I am tempering my response.

At the moment I highly recommend the series---especially for those viewers who have grown tired to typical television clichés.

This could very well be the thinking person's crime drama.

Since I've only seen one episode so far, I can't give the series as a whole a ten rating. but nevertheless, the pilot episode of this program presents a series with great potential, all based on a REALLY clever idea. I was glad that this show wasn't just another supernatural affair, a la 'The Sixth Sense' or something along those lines. Instead, it is a study of one L.A. detective's determination, and even maniac ism, to solve murder cases. The victim's "form" throughout the show as Michael Raines (played perfectly by the always-great Jeff Goldblum!) starts to piece together their personalities from evidence gathered while investigating said crimes. They're not "ghosts" or "unresting dead", but actual figments of Raines' detective mind.

There is a line in the show, a bit of dialog, that sort of describes how this came out: Raines' ex-partner (surprises to come!) reminisces about Raines' method to talk to himself during investigations... to "talk through" his cases to get to know his victims. Well he does that now, except trauma, both emotional and physical (Raines' was shot prior to the pilot episode) has him actually "seeing" the victims and he talks to himself. It's real clever, and interesting. Because it's all in the mind, anything can happen.

Anyway, give this show a shot. It's not one of these over-the-top "what ridiculous shlt is gonna happen next" kinda network show that's been on the last few years. It is written, co-created, and directed by Frank Darabont ('The Shawshank Redemption', 'The Green Mile') and all the acting is excellent. Goldblum always delivers quirky, yet still likable and believable characters, and there's always something new around every story corner. This is the kind of quality show that could be on HBO Sunday nights. GO WATCH!!!

What a treat! We don't have to wait for a movie with just the right part to see Jeff. "Raines" is a perfect fit and it is a pleasure to see him on weekly TV! I was channel-surfing on my way to the History Channel, and, "Wow," I found Jeff and something surprisingly entertaining. "Raines" is different from the psychics in the current TV plots; a stressed-out detective having hallucinations is believable. I've grown older with Jeff watching him since "the Big Chill." Jeff seems to be one of those remarkable people who start out in acting with great performances and continues to deliver for his fans. Impressive. I may start to watch a regular series on TV again!

I write this review at the early onset of this show's run. I was intrigued by the premise of this show from the get-go: an already neurotic homicide detective named Michael RAines(Jeff Goldblum in a role that seems made for him and ONLY him)has started to lose control of some elements of his mind after he survives a shootout that claims his partner and friend. He can't sleep much(if at all)and has withdrawn into his own mind,where now he can actually "See" the victims of crimes he's investigating,talking to him and giving him clues to solve the cases. While these visions are(made clearly so in,among other venues,the ads for the show)NOT ghosts,just figments of his imagination,they still prove to add insight into the work he's charged with doing. NAturally,most of his peers,friends and even the precinct shrink(MAdeline Stowe)are skeptical and subscribe to the conclusion that most(including Raines himself)would do:that is,that he's cracking up.

While Mr.Goldblum still makes movies,I feel like he may've found a better stage for showcasing his quirky,odd and brilliant acting prowess in a TV drama,which allows him the benefit of having a P.O.V. position(i.e.narration)to frame the stories. Blending elements of "Monk" and "Medium"(though NOT to be confused with either),this show has the qualities to be something special,though how far and how well this show runs will largely depend on whether NBC wants to hold on to it,letting it grow,and the commitment to the show's almost retro(read:Raymond Chandler,Philip MArlow-esquire L.A. crime stories,set to the current day)feel and unique style,respectively.

Like another person here commented I was a little worried Jeff might be a little over the top in this. My fears were completely unjustified. I thought it was a wonderful, funny, sensitive performance. Jeff's quirks weren't a distraction here, the made perfect sense and complimented the character wonderfully. It made me a little reminiscent of Tenspeed and Brown Shoe because it was so enjoyable but honestly I don't remember that series very well, I was pretty young. Excellent writing, excellent acting, even excellent choices in music. Very satisfying. As for the commenter that said it had the same shtick as Monk: are you insane? You may need to go back and watch another episode of Monk. If there was any hallucinating happening there it was you not Mr. Monk.