Public Morals

I really wanted to like this show a lot more than I did. Found the characters to be rather one-dimensional and stereotypical. Acting is spotty and production leaves something to be desired. Writing is uninspired, dialogue is cliché and story seems predictable - not expecting too many surprises going forward... Hope they can turn this one around 'cause it actually could have the potential to be an interesting a new twist on the ubiquitous "TV Cop Drama" genre if it were done right... Not to mention, (and now I'm just nitpicking) how do you start a show about the police "set in the early 1960's in New York City" with a song by The Doors?

Public Morals is an excellent new show that takes place in the 1960s. The attention to detail and authenticity to the era is truly remarkable. There are plenty of new faces in this series and I am impressed by the acting. The interaction between the police and the gangsters is fraught with tension and suspense. Most cop shows deal with solving crimes, but this show is different because it shows how the police interact within society.

What is also interesting about Public Morals is the family dynamics of the police officers. Some of my favorite scenes include Ed Burns dealing with his young son and his interactions with his beautiful wife.

I have viewed all four of the episodes which are available On Demand and on TNT. The series gets better with each episode. I look forward to watching them all.

When I saw the previews I expected just another cop show set in the past.. This is a great series.. How great it truly is will be lost on some folks.. but if you grew up in N.Y.C. in the 60s you will know exactly what I mean.. They even had a Skelly's board in the street.. The emerald and black cars.. There were little things that were off that only someone who lived through it would pick up.. and one scene where they had a 68 Impala, which of course did not exist in 1965.. but some of that is to be expected.. The park benches and the street signs were off but they did an absolutely amazing job of transporting you to 60s N.Y. The writing is good.. the acting is very good.. and the story has a lot of potential. I like what they did with the music also.. there was one scene where someone was singing a Sinatra song.. It was not Sinatra but the singer sounded like him... and they did that with some other songs from the times.. to great effect. I look forward to seeing where this series will go... it has a lot of potential.. Michael Rappaport finally has a role that goes beyond a character role and every time I see him in this (I watched all 3 episodes On Demand and saw the first two twice..) I cannot help but think of Popeye Doyle. Must be the hat. I would not be surprised if I see some kids playing Ringolivio or playing in the Johnny Pump when things move into summer.. Ed Burns has done a great job with this .. and the strong supporting cast makes this series in my opinion one to watch. If you like crime shows.. and period pieces.. this series is for you. It actually does a better job of taking you back than a certain recently finished series about advertising moguls.. This series is the next best thing to Mr. Peadody's way back machine of you want to get a glimpse of life in New York City in the 60s..

I decided to give Public Morals a shot and I was not disappointed. This show is great! It feels authentic to the times, everything from the accents to the set. Not too overdone either, it doesn't look costume-y nor doesn't it feel like they are trying to hard.

Basically the show is about cops in the 60's and how they deal with crime. Actually, most importantly, it's about how they are a part of crime. They play the line between cops and criminals. Just in the first episode we see them taking bribes, lying, playing illegal games, etc. Yet (so far) they seem like good cops when it matters.

I see it as a show about how people dealt with crime in a time when the law was too restrictive to be enforced. Even gay bars were illegal! These cops are trying to keep the city in order, knowing the law as it is can not be properly enforced. Of course there are some points that cross the line and have us wondering on which side they actually stand.

With plenty of good characters, Public Morals explores not only the crime scene in 1960's New York, but also the family life, values, and the sense of morality of the times.

The show has an interesting premise, and I for one am excited to see where it goes.

If you want to know who writer, director Ed Burns is please see the wonderful, recent story on CBS Sunday Morning. Burns is a great example of being persistent in following his dream of being a writer. Along the way he was resourceful and self deprecating which helped in his success. Public Morals is set in NY in the 1960's and revolves around the Public Morals Division in the police department. I love it when I barely recognize the cast as it gives us an opportunity to see fresh faces and their work. Some faces will resonate like veterans Brian Dennehy and Timothy Hutton. Public Morals with it's mature theme, language etc is for adult audiences.