Common Law (2012 ) tv series review, story and analysis
History of Construction and Production Challenges
“Common Law” is a crime comedy-drama television series that premiered in 2012 on the USA Network. Created by Cormac and Marianne Wibberley, the show faced its fair share of challenges during construction. While the exact difficulties of construction are not widely documented, as with many television productions, challenges likely included script development, casting decisions, and maintaining viewer engagement over multiple episodes. The show was produced by CBS Television Studios and Junction Entertainment.
Actors and Their Roles
The cast of “Common Law” included:
- Michael Ealy as Travis Marks: A laid-back and spontaneous detective with a non-traditional approach to police work.
- Warren Kole as Wes Mitchell: Travis’ partner, who is more by-the-book and methodical in his approach to solving crimes.
- Sonya Walger as Dr. Emma Ryan: The couple’s court-appointed therapist, tasked with helping them resolve their conflicts.
- Jack McGee as Captain Phil Sutton: The captain of the LAPD homicide division, who assigns cases to Travis and Wes.
Each actor brought their characters to life with nuance and charisma, capturing the dynamic between Travis and Wes as they navigated their unconventional partnership.
General Concept
“Common Law” follows the story of two detectives, Travis Marks and Wes Mitchell, who are forced into couples therapy to resolve their constant conflicts. Despite being excellent detectives individually, their clashing personalities and differing approaches to police work create tension between them. Through their therapy sessions with Dr. Emma Ryan, the duo attempts to work through their issues and improve their partnership while solving complex cases for the LAPD.
Full Story
The series delves into the personal and professional lives of Travis and Wes as they tackle a variety of cases, ranging from homicides to kidnappings. Despite their differences, the two detectives share a deep bond and a mutual respect for each other’s skills. Throughout the series, viewers witness the evolution of their partnership as they learn to trust each other’s instincts and overcome obstacles together.
As Travis and Wes navigate their professional challenges, they also confront personal demons and past traumas that threaten to derail their progress. Through their therapy sessions with Dr. Ryan, they explore issues of trust, communication, and vulnerability, ultimately forging a stronger and more resilient partnership.
Criticism and Analysis
While “Common Law” received praise for its charismatic leads and humorous banter, it also faced criticism for its formulaic approach to storytelling and lack of depth in character development. Some critics argued that the premise of the series, while entertaining, was not substantial enough to sustain interest over multiple seasons. Additionally, the show’s reliance on procedural crime-solving often overshadowed its attempts at exploring deeper emotional themes.
From an analytical perspective, “Common Law” can be seen as a light-hearted take on the classic buddy cop genre, with a focus on the dynamic between its two leads. While the series excelled in delivering entertaining crime-solving escapades and witty dialogue, it fell short in providing meaningful character arcs and exploring complex interpersonal relationships.
Opinion of Critics and Position Among Other Similar Series
Overall, “Common Law” received mixed reviews from critics and audiences alike. While some praised its humor and chemistry between the leads, others criticized its lack of originality and depth. As a result, the series struggled to find a consistent audience and was ultimately canceled after one season.
In terms of similar series, “Common Law” shares thematic and narrative similarities with other buddy cop shows, such as:
- “Psych” (2006–2014): This comedy-drama series follows Shawn Spencer, a novice sleuth with a keen eye for detail, and his best friend Gus as they solve crimes for the Santa Barbara Police Department.
- “The Mentalist” (2008–2015): This crime procedural series follows Patrick Jane, a former psychic medium turned consultant for the California Bureau of Investigation, as he helps solve crimes using his keen observational skills.
- “Castle” (2009–2016): This crime dramedy series follows Richard Castle, a best-selling mystery novelist, and NYPD detective Kate Beckett as they team up to solve homicides in New York City.
- “Rizzoli & Isles” (2010–2016): This crime drama series follows Boston homicide detective Jane Rizzoli and medical examiner Maura Isles as they solve crimes together while navigating their personal lives.
- “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” (2013–2021): This comedy series follows the detectives of the 99th precinct of the New York City Police Department as they solve crimes and navigate office politics.
While “Common Law” may not have achieved the same level of success or longevity as some of these other series, it remains a notable entry in the buddy cop genre, offering an entertaining blend of humor, drama, and crime-solving escapades.
