Il socio

Have watched THE FIRM since it started. The "wet-behind-the-ears" Tom Cruise has returned 10 years later as the mature Josh Lucas in the Mitch McDeere role -- and that's a huge improvement. Lucas carries the show, and is a terrific (albeit hugely idealistic) lead. The brother Ray has caught fire as his best ally in the past 2-3 shows, after a modest start.

I suppose the two biggest reasons I like this show are (1) it's a combination of Perry Mason & The Fugitive, and (2) Tricia Helfer is the most venomous female lead since Jane Badler in "V". She snarls when talking about people behind their backs (all of whom are beneath her), then turns on the charm when they drop into her penthouse office.

There are instances in several episodes where the story lags, but then there's an action scene just around the corner to perk you up. Also, each episode includes a weekly case that must be started and decided within about 38-40 minutes of airtime -- not easy to pull off. The rest of the hour is spent on advancing the overall plot line. But despite this observation, it's still a damn good show -- so I'm in for the duration.

UPDATE -- so now it's nearly three months later in the saga ... NBC has jacked us around by switching it to Saturday nites, then pre-empting it in a heartbeat. But I'm still t'round, and a loyal fan. I have caught the headlines about the upcoming "cancellation" -- but that's something I'm not buying since we're now only 4-5 shows short of the 22 episodes that were originally shot. I suspect with episode 22 will come the resolution of the whole yarn, and I'm good with that. Josh Lucas is still firmly in control as the lead, and does a damn good job. The characters of Ray, Tammy, and Abby have defined themselves as the weeks have gone by. Two weeks ago, after a surprise suicide, I was trying to figure out where they would head next to keep me riveted, but the storywriters have now brought the long smoldering MOB out of the bullpen, and back into the picture, as well as this surprisingly strange behavioral twist in Mrs. McDeere. I think both of these plots will play out nicely in the next month, and THE FIRM will run its course. Again, I think it is entertaining, dynamic, and just feverish enough in its pacing to outrun our chance to say "now wait a minute" when something doesn't ring 100& true. It is a lot like the vastly underrated film "The Parallax View", where Director Alan Pakula gave us a roller-coaster of (somewhat) plausible plot twists, and never let us catch our breath to protest. So the critique here is unwavering -- I've been in the flow for 18+ weeks, I'm good to go for the final 4. I happen to like this show ... and Josh Lucas is THE MAN... !

I don't remember much about the film "The Firm," and I didn't read the book. This TV series takes up where the film and book left off, with Mitch McDeere (Josh Lucas) deciding to opt out of witness protection after the mobster who wanted him dead dies himself. He and his family, Abby (Molly Parker), their daughter Claire (Natasha Calis), his brother Ray (Callum Keith Rennie), a detective, and Ray's girlfriend Tammy (Juliette Lewis) come home. Mitch opens a private practice, but soon joins forces with a large law firm when he gets a case that could turn into a class action suit.

There's lots going on in this show -- it's told in flashback, and we're shown some very intriguing flash forwards that the story is leading up to. One of Mitch's assigned cases is of a young woman accused of killing a wealthy old lady she had just met; the large firm has some sort of interest in this case, but as yet, we don't know why. And while the mobster is dead, his son has just taken over. Will he want a contract put out on Mitch and his family? We don't know at the time of this writing. And other cases come and go. Plus stuff happening on the family front.

Josh Lucas is very strong as Mitch, and I absolutely love Molly Parker as his wife - a wonderful, graceful presence. Juliette Lewis, as Ray's sexy girlfriend who doesn't look much like a receptionist, is great, as is Rennie as Ray.

I keep reading this show is going to be canceled. Gee, I hope we get to see the whole season.

Looking at the four reviews that have been posted so far it seems there is a split decision, so i just wanted to make sure that the "good" reviews got the upper hand, so to speak. The writing, directing, acting and plot so far is excellent, i know it is hard to judge something with only seeing the first two episodes, but all i can say is if it continues in this manner then we are in for a really great drama/thriller. For Mr Lucas to jump into the shoes of Tom Cruise and do such a good job, is a credit to his abilities , OK there was a little poetic license applied, but that is expected from any show that is produced, and easy to skip over, it is Television, entertainment for goodness sake, not rocket science. All in all it the opening episodes have set the stage to what could be a really great program, and just for the benefit of the people that will not like it, i have nothing whatsoever to do the the program, and it is a totally unbiased opinion. For those of you that needs to see where this continues from, just grab a copy the the original 1993 film of the same name and give it a spin.

Have a look, make up your own mind

Contrary to the many reviews on here, I thought this was a terrific thriller. Good story, good acting, and characters that you could connect with. The only thing I have a grievance about is that they left us hanging without a second series.

I highly recommend this series.

I hate it when a series doesn't bother to tie up loose ends. They built up all this mystery around the last case, then don't bother to finish it! Otherwise, the series is mostly very edge-of-your-seat entertaining, with interesting characters.