Air Date: Wednesday, September 21, 2016 at 8/7c on Fox
Rating:
In just three minutes, you find yourself on an emotional roller coaster ride during the opening scenes of Fox’s Lethal Weapon. Not only are you on a high-speed chase through an El Paso, Texas dusty desert, you’re simultaneously anticipating what’s going to happen when a pregnant woman drives herself to the hospital. In those few moments, you are either immediately drawn into the lives of Martin Riggs (Clayne Crawford) and his beloved wife Miranda (guest star Floriana Lima) or you aren’t. I am completely invested.
Based on the hit movie franchise of the same name, Lethal Weapon comes to television as a buddy cop procedural. The driving forces behind the series are the two main characters, Riggs and Det. Roger Murtaugh (Damon Wayans, Sr.). While watching the series premiere, I tried to leave behind what I know of the films. Crawford does a great job of filling the shoes of the iconic character portrayed by the enigmatic Mel Gibson in the films. I wanted to view the character of Martin Riggs with a fresh perspective and Crawford allowed me to do that. He immediately captured my attention with his exhilaration in all aspects of his life. While his hair is a bit distracting, in a good way, the overall acting Crawford delivers outshines his luscious, curly locks (which I didn’t imagine running my hands through at all *cough cough*). But seriously, I suggest Riggs use a better styling product or some kind of scrunchie to tame the curls because I don’t want to see him constantly battling hair in his eyes when he needs to focus on shooting the bad guys. Just saying.
Riggs has some very unconventional methods for catching the bad guy.
Crawford’s outstanding portrayal of a man broken by tragedy takes center stage in “Pilot,” but it doesn’t overwhelm the audience; although I did get a bit teary eyed in the opening scenes. He doesn’t begin his interactions with people with “Hi, I’m a victim of an unspeakable personal tragedy and dead on the inside. Please don’t pity me; now let’s go get the bad guy.” Riggs carries his hurt internally (mostly), doesn’t want or need pity, and doesn’t want to get too close to anyone. I think if Crawford stays away from the brooding, ruggedly handsome, lost puppy dog look, he’ll be able to continue with the regular “I’m ruggedly handsome but dead on the inside” angle for a little while. Did I mention how ruggedly handsome he is? I digress.
Damon Wayans, Sr. as Det. Roger Murtaugh. With Riggs as his partner, I’m sure his blood pressure going to go through the roof.
Wayans Sr. still has it. The humor is not over the top and he looks fantastic. It’s like he’s barely aged! I’ve loved Wayans Sr. since his days on In Living Color. He has been in a plethora of television shows and feature films so I’m thrilled to see him back on the small screen on a regular basis. He reinvigorates the character of cynical and uptight Murtaugh with a revived flare that perfectly pairs with Crawford’s version of Riggs’ self-destructive crazy. I felt the camaraderie between Riggs and Murtaugh happens a bit too swiftly, but it sort of works. Murtaugh oozes constant unease and reluctance to Riggs’ hair trigger persona, but everything melds together nicely in “Pilot.” While the show will have a case of the week, ultimately it will be driven by character development throughout the various plot scenarios which has Riggs and Murtaugh at odds with each other over life in general.
The immediate, albeit brief, introduction of police psychiatrist Dr. Maureen Cahill (Jordana Brewster) feels forced. Maureen resembles Miranda Riggs and it seems too soon to have Riggs going to the police shrink when he’s just arrived in LA. I mean, sure, how he enters a bank full of armed robbers is ludicrous, although he could just be a clever cop, right? Admittedly, that scene is a bit over the top with the “I’m a renegade kind of cop” ploy but damn, it sure is entertaining. And, it made me want pizza.
I don’t think Riggs approves of Murtaugh’s style of driving…you know…the safe kind.
Ultimately, what you look for when watching a new series is the entertainment value — no matter whether it’s a brand new fresh idea (do those still exist) or based on a movie franchise. Were you engaged? Were you entertained? Did you care about the characters? Would you want to watch them again? Did you reach for a headband for Riggs? Just me, then?
Before I conclude, I have to give it up to Keesha Sharp as Trish Murtaugh. She’s sexy, fun, and did I mention sexy? To portray the mother of three and still be that alluring is quite an undertaking and it takes one hell of an actress. Sharp is believable as a wife, mother, and purring vixen trying to give Roger a special belated “birthday” surprise. The scenes are all tastefully done but I wouldn’t recommend having a hormonal teenager around while watching.
If you’re looking for a bit of sarcastic humor mixed with some seriously dark humor, a sentimental budding friendship between total opposites, and lots of action with big guns and high speed chases, then Lethal Weapon will be right up your alley.
What did you think of “Pilot?” Leave me a comment below and/or tweet me @judybopp.
Tune in to the series premiere of Lethal Weapon on Wednesday, September 21, 2016 at 8/7c, and every Wednesday at 8/7c on Fox.
For more on the show, go to http://www.fox.com/lethal-weapon.
Follow Lethal Weapon on Twitter: https://twitter.com/LethalWeaponFOX #LethalWeapon.
LIKE Lethal Weapon on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LethalWeaponFOX/.
Follow the series on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/LethalWeaponFOX/.
Photos ©2016 FOX Broadcasting Co. All Rights Reserved.
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Judy Manning
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