Big Apple

A very interesting cop show with an excellent cast led by Ed O'Neil and Titus Welliver. I watched this show one time and got hooked. Instead of going for the shock value like NYPD Blue and other shows, this show actually takes time to tell stories.

Very disappointing that CBS didn't give this show a fair chance to find a larger audience. With its interesting and talented ensemble of players and curious plot quirks it was certainly as fascinating to watch as NBCs "West Wing" or HBOs "The Sopranos". As far as O'Neill goes, well, it has always been difficult to watch him work without remembering his wonderful comedic antics as Al Bundy, but his Mooney characterization was in a whole different league and deserved to be judged as such. This was a good show. Too good for TV maybe.

I wish CBS had given this one more of a chance. It was a very ambitious project. Trying to follow the intertwining of these 3 factions (Feds, NYPD & Mob) all at once was confusing. It just needed to clarify itself and ease us in more slowly. Ed O'Neil is awesome and I will watch him now in anything!!!! - but I prefer it be a Milch project. I'd like to see them rework this.

The creative strategy behind this show is so similar to NYPD Blue, that I'm not sure it will attract enough viewers, as it doesn't really offer much that is different. Ed O'Neill plays a boorish character heavily borrowed from Sipkowicz of "Blue," but without some redeeming qualities.

Also, the show is very dark (visually and thematically) and humorless, to the point where it becomes tiring. Perhaps this will change with time. So far (2 episodes), there's been a lot of plot to cover.

The relationship between the younger FBI agent and his informer (also a childhood friend) is the best thing about the show, as well as the low-key intelligence that David Strathairn brings to the role of the director of the NYC office of the FBI. Unfortunately, the show is more geared around O'Neill than Strathairn, who is relegated to a Sam Waterston type role (and not the Waterston of "Law & Order."). He deserves better.

I don't think this one will make it. Milch's previous CBS outing," Brooklyn South" had a more engaging group of characters.

If you don't want to use your brain to watch a television program, do not watch "Big Apple". It is a show that challenges you to think alongside the characters, live with them and learn. Not a 'typical' cop show or performance for the multi-talented Ed O'Neill, who rarely sees the better side of a critics penned impression. Mr. O'Neill portrays a 3 dimensional police officer, including the distinct pain of helping a family member in need, allowing you to feel him as if he were your own family member. Real pain, Real life. Nope, Al Bundy is not present in this performance of a good cop in a tough world. You don't have to look close, just give it a chance, and it'll bloom.