Peacemakers

It's still early in this series, but so far I've been pleased with this show. I think the chemistry between the two main stars (Tom Berenger and Peter O'Meara) will make it an enjoyable "buddy" show; the forensic element of the stories are fascinating as well.

I am a fan of westerns and this one has an interesting angle: it is set during a time when some modern advancements are being introduced--electricity, the telephone, and some modern forensic techniques, like fingerprints and ballistics.

"Old-timer" sheriff Jared Stone (played by Tom Berenger) is a Civil War hero, and is very capable and experienced in his job. He's not accepting the advance of middle age very well (the first episode has him reluctant to get his first set of spectacles) and he's a little gruff at times. But he knows his stuff, and is a personable sort of fellow that is respected in the town.

"Hot shot" ex-Pinkerton man Larimer Finch (played by relative newcomer Peter O'Meara) comes off as a bit snobby and smug when he first meets Stone, but he's a good sort of fellow too. An Englishman who has been everywhere (speaks fluent Chinese) and is well-versed in the "modern" forensic techniques, he provides a good compliment to Sheriff Stone's old-timer wisdom. Finch is younger and has less experience than Stone does in many ways, but he can hold his own and proves to be a good partner in crime-solving.

So far the mysteries in each show have not been earth-shatteringly hard to crack (I often guessed "who dunnit" fairly early on) but the process these guys have to go through to get to the conclusion is interesting, indeed. The chemistry (sort of an "odd couple") of gruff, middle-aged Sheriff Stone and young, uber-educated Englishman Finch is fun to watch.

There are other characters in the show that are interesting, including the town mortician (can't remember the character's name) who is female (very pretty, of course!) and a former medical student. She's often called upon to do autopsies and perform other forensic-related duties. She's likeable and smart; it's nice to see an intelligent woman in a western show set in this era.

I like westerns, I like Tom Berenger, and even though I've never seen Peter O'Meara in anything before this, but I already like him and think his future as an actor is bright indeed. I think this series is going to be one I will look forward to seeing every week.

"Peacemakers" is not your run-of-the-mill oater. I was pleasantly surprised by the writing and the acting in the pilot for this new series. It takes westerns to a new level. It is fun to watch Tom Berenger's character as he tries cope with all the "new" crime-fighting tools available at the close of the 19th century (the telephone, fingerprints, blood pathology).

The ensemble is well cast. The actors work well together. The scenery is spectacular. It's a welcome change to the drivel on network television today.

It is so nice to encounter a drama in which no one sees the need for a breakneck pace and/or a half dozen separate threads in every episode. Episodes of Peacemakers don't whiz by and leave you breathless; they allow you time to fully digest what you're seeing and to appreciate the attention to detail, and to history, in the show. Given that Tom Berenger's a history buff and his wife is one of the producers, it comes as no surprise that the details are right. Peacemakers rings true.

Although the inevitable comparison will be to CSI, there's a little Columbo here, a smattering of Matt Dillon, and nods to any number of other detective and western offerings of the past. The acting is fine by all; there's a realism in the writing that allows you to forget you're watching actors on a set. And it's a real treat to see Berenger every week. Always a solid performer, we haven't seen nearly enough of him in recent years.

One has to wonder whether the innovations in forensics during this period in history will be sufficient to fuel Peacemakers beyond its initial 8-episode run. But I sure hope so. And even if they don't, perhaps the societal and cultural changes occurring during this period in American history can be interwoven into the stories to keep things going. The innovations in gallows design depicted in the second episode were fascinating, but so was the marshall's dilemma regarding the rights of a battered wife in episode three.

I love quality television that teaches as well as entertains, and Peacemakers, thus far, is a good example of quality television.

Don't know why this series was canceled as the characters are all very believable and I am extremely enjoying the show. I wasn't lucky enough to be able to get it off of HBO, but it is definitely a show I look forward to seeing each week. I hope that they will show all of its seasons. I don't know how many it had, but I guarantee you I will be watching it! The actors and actresses did a great job, and I, too, would like to thank CMT for giving us this opportunity to see such a great show. Even the outlaws are interesting. I personally think Tom Berenger, as the Marshall, is following in John Wayne's footsteps. I was a great John Wayne fan, and Berenger is the first man I have seen who makes me think of the Duke.

This show is outstanding. It combines a little bit of "Law and Order", adds a dash of "CSI", and tops it all off with the flavor of "Gunsmoke." Don't let the whole western theme fool you or scare you. Whether you are a fan of westerns or not, if you like crime shows, this show is an excellent view each Wednesday.