When the original Law and Order came out some 20 years ago, it was fresh, tough, gritty, and immensely entertaining. I remember watching it through college thinking it would inspire me to apply to law school and eventually become the next Ben Stone (Michael Moriarty was THE MAN when it comes to executive ADAs).
Personally, I think 20 years is too long a time for any series to run. Add a few diluted spin offs (L&O: SVU, L&O: Criminal Intent, L&O: Equestrian Unit, L&O: Truancy Unit) and the series starts to taste like water-down fountain soda. Still, it's a New York staple so I've grown used to seeing L&O production crews shooting around the City.
Which makes L&O: UK, just weird. At first, it feels like a British parody, right down to the "doink, doink" sounds between scenes but with the odd London cockney accent. After a few minutes, you start to pick up the familiar L&O feel, the shaky cam, no nonsense dialogue it's the police procedural show you've come to love, except it's in London. The cast is very competent. Having lived in London at one point, I can say that Jamie Bamber, Bradley Walsh, Freema Agyeman et al. successfully deliver the L&O brand across the pond.
There is nothing wrong with the show, except I have to question the reason for its existence. All L&O shows are exported to Europe, with the standard 1 year delay. I know Londoners have seen our original L&O. So does a local London flavored variation add anything new to the mix?
Personally, I think 20 years is too long a time for any series to run. Add a few diluted spin offs (L&O: SVU, L&O: Criminal Intent, L&O: Equestrian Unit, L&O: Truancy Unit) and the series starts to taste like water-down fountain soda. Still, it's a New York staple so I've grown used to seeing L&O production crews shooting around the City.
Which makes L&O: UK, just weird. At first, it feels like a British parody, right down to the "doink, doink" sounds between scenes but with the odd London cockney accent. After a few minutes, you start to pick up the familiar L&O feel, the shaky cam, no nonsense dialogue it's the police procedural show you've come to love, except it's in London. The cast is very competent. Having lived in London at one point, I can say that Jamie Bamber, Bradley Walsh, Freema Agyeman et al. successfully deliver the L&O brand across the pond.
There is nothing wrong with the show, except I have to question the reason for its existence. All L&O shows are exported to Europe, with the standard 1 year delay. I know Londoners have seen our original L&O. So does a local London flavored variation add anything new to the mix?