Wanted

T.V. Shows come and go. It has been this way for as long as T.V. has been around. This fact will never change and try as they may even the best cannot predict what will become Prime-Time Gold. I've seen shows that had everything plus a little extra and still bombed in the ratings. This may mean that our ratings system is flawed, but the truth is it has nothing to do with ratings. It all comes down to the coveted perfect time slot and the power of string pulling financial backers. However TNT's new Hit Drama "Wanted" may just be that Diamond in the rough. Now in order to keep from spoiling anything for the new viewers I will avoid mentioning any important plot points, However I will say this, Give it an episode or two and I think that you'll find that even though "Wanted" may push the envelope a little far at times, for a Task Force charged with finding LA's 100 most wanted Criminals, a little pushing is required. In closing I hope that you'll agree that "Wanted" is a top notch Crime Drama that deserves a fair shake in the Hollywood ratings War.

This was a 10+ show. The network "powers that be" are a bunch of blithering idiots. Has anyone taken note of the fact that 90% of TV programming is now "realty TV." I don't need to watch "realty" on TV. I live it every single day!!! When I watch TV I want to be transported out of my every day "realty." Head Cases, starring Chris O'Donnell and Adam Goldberg, yet another 10+ show, was canceled after 5 episodes. Does anyone remember the show Vengeance Unlimited (1998-1999) starring Michael Madsen as Mr. Chapel? The 10+ shows that have been canceled by the network idiots are too numerous to name, but I'm sure there are thousands out there that remember them just as I do.

There are more similarities to The Shield than the previous reviewer (A Mess - September) says. It's gritty. Mistakes happen, wrong decisions are made...just like real life. Some filming techniques are the same with the 'hand held' camera effect. Actors 'get in the way' of the camera moving around like people do instead of taking up a fixed position. The camera moves from actor to actor in dialog, just like you do when witnessing a conversation, instead of jumping from face to face. It's like the viewer is following the action rather than watching it. Language is more realistic for the kind of situations they are in. One final similarity...it's a really good show!

If dialog and character development are your thing then this is a program for you. This is a program that stays true to its characters and makes zero excuses for whom they are. For that matter how they got that way. More than anything else, it is great to see a program that will push the envelope; and when you think, it is all-OK the hits just keep on coming. This is a program where no one is safe. Make no mistake this program tears at the hearts of cast and watcher. This is not a program for the faint of heart as it pushes towards primal vengeance at times. The great thing is that it still holds true to core values just hiding in the gray area. This is a program that will hopefully get to go the full 100, and then some; so when you sit down to watch this program turn your P.C. meter way down or off and enjoy a great program.

Another knock off produces yet another excellent cop show. I don't mind and you shouldn't either. As long as the shows are this good, they can fill the dials with cop shows for all I care. I'll worry about variety later. With "Wanted" we get Gary Cole, who did an excellent job on West Wing, to anchor yet another interesting group of crime fighters joined at the last minute by yet another strong female character. No complaints from me. The pilot reminded me of "The Shield," especially some of the photography and somewhat gritty nature of the story. If you like "The Shield, The Closer, Cold Case, Without a Trace," and "The Inside," you'll enjoy "Wanted." I give it 8 stars for getting the job done. Hey, it's all about entertainment, drama, and it's not another reality TV show. I'm in.