A Heinous Crime : Murder One

So, someone sent us a copy of this series as a gift. I had no real desire to watch it. It just didn't seem compelling. Maybe I'd overdone it with L.A. Law or something. And Cripes did I need a rest after THAT one.

But Mr. No Bouncing pointed me in the direction of the Amazon writeup, and we were short on interesting new DVDs so I decided to give it a try. Man - where was I when this first made its appearance because this was one of the best, most well-executed shows with more twists and turns than Minnie Driver's hair.

It is a surprisingly simple premise - much like the formula of 24, now, it is one murder case being tried, from beginning to end. So what, you say. Lemme tell you, the cast of characters and the posturing and maneuvering here was so sharp and so subtle at the same time it gave me chills.

A prostitute is killed. Did her boyfriend, an admitted drug and alcohol abuser, do it, or did he leave her alive, as he believes he did. Jason Gedric plays the boyfriend, Neil Avendon, and I don't think I've ever seen a role played with better believability. I thought he was a throw-away, but this proved me wrong. Stanley Tucci plays the mysterious Richard Cross whose motives are up for grabs until the final seconds of the series. The lead Defending Attorney is played by the underspoken and understated Daniel Benzali, and his reticence really works for him in this role. You truly believe his mind is always just one step ahead, and are shocked in those few times when he is shown that he might not be.

Of course, this being a Steven Bochco production, his (now) ex-wife Barbara Bosson plays the prosecuting district attorney, but I was surprised by how much I even liked her in her role.

Casting aside, I cannot recommend this storyline to you enough. Unfortunately I can not tell you about it without giving too much away - every point is important and vital, and frustrating as it sounds, you'd thank me for not telling. Suffice it to say - more than one person dies, there are multiple suspects, and no one is above suspicion. It's a bloody, brutal story filled with sex, drugs, lies, prostitution, and more kinkiness than at your local BDSM store, but somehow they made it work, and they did it impeccably.

The writing is superb. The dialogue is crisp and parries and thrusts with each noun and verb - this is some of the best I've seen in a long time, and this isn't my usual genre, kids. But if you've got some time and a few bucks, this is an investment you'll thank me for. Don't expect any pulled punches...it's all out there. But it's some of the best TV ever had to offer.

From me to you.

 

What did you think of this article?




Trackbacks
  • No trackbacks exist for this post.
Comments

  • 1/13/2011 11:38 AM free online games wrote:
    I do not want to repeat this website, however I really like the design. Could you comment on which theme you are using or is it customized for this blog?
    Reply to this
    1. 2/7/2011 11:57 PM Alexia O'Neil wrote:
      As I've mentioned, It's GoDaddy's Quick Blogcast building, and they've redently added a LOT of versatility that wasn't available when i started, but this template is called "windy". It's fun, though - think I might try some new things..and they have new templates.
      Reply to this
  • 3/1/2011 1:34 AM Birthday wrote:
    Good post, but do you want to give further details?
    Reply to this
    1. 6/28/2011 10:42 AM Alexia O'Neil wrote:
      Hi there - this IS a touchy subject. Most of the time I am reviewing things that are already out, or have been for some time, and I am trying to draw a new audience to some well-deserved and perhaps overlooked material, or just give my perspective on the "block-busters" of the day (See National Treasure 2 and Nicolas Cage's latest hairpiece). The way I review is I want to leave a real flavor for what i saw on the screen; a tableau - a sense of a grand meal laid out and waiting for you, or else that deli meal that's just a day or two old that perhaps you might want to avoid. It's a fine line to walk, and you're right : sometimes i agonize over whether or not to give too much away, but I do it on a case by case basis (which is kind of funny, considering we're discussing "Murder One"). I'll take your comments to heart and put put a poll on the main page to see if others thing as you do - that I give too much away, and if everyone thinks I spoil the ending...well, then I just guess I'll keep these luscious lips shut!!  ~~Raven
      Reply to this
  • 3/25/2011 10:34 AM USAfilms wrote:
    Where have you ordered a design? Horror (((
    Reply to this
    1. 6/28/2011 11:15 AM Alexia O'Neil wrote:
      *cracking up* For which page? blog.alexiaoniel.com or for http://www.curveswithnerves.com/? The latter was vreated for me by a friend (it's a little outdated, but I don't know the coding, so if you know someone, let ME know. This part is just for the typewritten versiopns of the reviews and doesn't really need any bells and whistles, does it? it's functioning, it doesn it's job, what's so  <<<horrible>>> about it? If it's really tht awful, I can look into another template, but I don't see the need, really, for what it does at this time. When I get into podcasting and interviews (my true love, which I've been away from too long), then I'll re-examine. In the mean time, if you have some CONSTRUCTIVE criticisms, I'm all ears, petunia...

      Love and sugar buns,

      Raven
      Reply to this
  • 3/27/2011 4:56 AM intrading wrote:
    No offense, but the design really is horrible
    Reply to this
  • 4/20/2011 11:25 AM USAfilms wrote:
    Where have you ordered a design? Horror (((
    Reply to this
    1. 9/24/2011 1:35 PM Alexia O'Neil wrote:
      So try to concentrate on content rather than background?? I have no idea about web design and am just using a template.
      Reply to this
  • 6/18/2011 2:32 AM TheoSuccess wrote:
    It is instructive. But I would not have been able to.
    Reply to this
  • 6/24/2011 5:29 AM Moralbine wrote:
    Cool You could say it exploded my brain!
    Reply to this
  • 6/24/2011 9:25 PM Ananrad wrote:
    That's it for this article begin to read this blog. Plus, a subscriber
    Reply to this
  • 6/25/2011 9:35 AM Aurgas wrote:
    Yeah, in my opinion, this is written on every fence
    Reply to this
Leave a comment

Submitted comments are subject to moderation before being displayed.

 Enter the above security code (required)

 Name

 Email (will not be published)

 Website

Your comment is 0 characters limited to 3000 characters.