Recommended Crime TV Series (Fiction)
......
1. The Mentalist: There is nothing like watching the charming and infallible albeit often overstepping his boundaries of propriety - Patrick James - played very very dexterously by Simon Baker- breathe in wit and entertainment into what would have been an easily very boring forgettable crime series with pretty/handsome actors playing a set of unimpressive characters. His insights are en-likened to the great fictional detective of literature with a more modern day approach. The cases themselves are not much to look at, even the great villain Red John's, but the writers do make sure that Patrick James keeps the crime procedural anything but normal. I am glad that they made sure audience would watch till the end for a tiny dessert of James' finishing touch.
2. Crime Scene Investigation (CSI): This is where it all began ....at least for me. The extensive use of Forensics in fictional telly has definitely been popularized by this series if not pioneered by it. And I am glad it started when I was much younger so that by now, there are a good set of 9 seasons to look back at. It is a pity Grissom(William Peterson) left but Dr. Langston (Laurence Fishburne) has made up for what would inevitably sway the equilibrium the characters were at. The writers might have disappointingly try to make Langston into a make-shift Grissom but nonetheless, I still look forward to seeing more of him. Personally, I think this series have a bit of an unfair advantage of drawing numerous resources to keep new things and possible sources of crime to feed the dynamism thanks to the amazing budget they have for each episode but their team of writers are commendable in the way they device a storyline by just randomly pulling ideas to be as extensively eclectic in plot types as possible and building as much factual structure to make the stories not too fantastic.
3. Law & Order(SVU or special victims unit): I used to really like this series as there is nothing that feels so righteously gratifying as seeing a child molester or rapist etc to be found out, tracked down and put to justice. But the plotlines are thinning and I am sure the ratings are falling. I have read/heard that for those who like these kinds of series, they like the characters' personal lives being shown to be affected as it makes them more humanistic. I personally dislike that and sometimes, I feel its too much overdrawn here. And I cringe when I see Olivia playing normal characters for a police sting operation. She seems too stiff and cop-like. Years of acting in one TV series make it hard to blend into a different role but it would be comparatively easier for those who do comedies than those who do crime series. I do like the police boss woman stricken by Cancer (Bless her as they say here) and that kind of personal life thing I can deal with, the affairs drive me mad. Anyway, I forget why I liked this series so I wont rant on this any further.
4. NCIS: What I so loved about this series which actually falls short in crime procedure than CSI in oh-so-many ways (one woman doing all forensics?? Whoever thought there was a being like that. Can you imagine how big her brain would have to be?), I do like the special attention in wit, sarcasm and friendly competition that you so miss in other series. The first 2 seasons or was it one, with Kate Avery was so dry (went from back to front with this series), I didnt miss her leaving the series. Ziva on the other hand was a perfect match for Tony with their back and forth spouts of repartees and kept my interest for long. I have noticed they have downplayed the chemistry between these two now and I guess have accepted the fact that these two will never form a couple. I know I said I dont like couples in these kinds of series but there are a few exceptional cases, like Calleigh & Eric in CSI:Miami and this one here. Thats it, all others like Grissom and Sara are just downright unpalatable to me, I like some people to be asexual in such series- the ones as authority figure - not because I crush on them (eeeh, that was so school girly), its just because, it sort of hurts the image- I sound so hollywood now ..hmm..Back to point here, I do like the musing coroner, he is like the erudite, natural teacher and empathizing grandpa that I have always wanted, (he is young enough to be my father though), Abby is growing on me, McGee is someone I would really go out with :D, Tony is a guy I am pretty sure I have seen around and Ziva is a perfect sweetheart. Have I left anyone out? Oh yeah, the coroner's assistant, I like him.
5.Criminal Minds: I like the characters though it is hard to see how the boss transcended from Dharma & Greg to this. I am glad how Rossi replaced Gideon who I never did like. I have to admit I have a weakness for serial killer plot lines (this is the first time I have admitted this online, Gasp!) and this series was one I was bound to watch someday. I, however, dislike how the crimes are often enacted. The screams got time for me to get used to. It is a horrible thing no doubt, but I am here for the investigation of it and the unwinding of the plot. This is one of the few series that actually uses profiling which is only done for serial killers only since you can gauge personality etc from their long spree. The speedy catching of one is fantastic though since in real life, these kind of people go for a long time, undetected. If only reality could catch up with fiction, huh? Anyway, I love how the frnshp between Garcia and Morgan is what I love and I love the fact that the casting directors didnt go old school to put a general-idea hottie in that role (unlike NCIS) and actually played it good with a believable bubbly bright Kirsten Vangsness.
I have seen almost all episodes of all teh above series except SVU, really hard to come across some of their episodes.
6. Law & Order - Criminal Intent: Detective Goren makes most of this series and what I looove about this one is that personal lives are kept to a minimum. Of all the good crime series around, this one keeps this part to the minimum and automatically I like it. Goldblum makes another make-shift replacement of Goren, I say make-shift because the new character's dialogues would be something that the retired character would say, and rarely would it be as well played by the new character and you can almost see the similar intonation. But the good thing is that when you bring movie actors in, they are quite good in what they do and actually having the experience of working in different movies as different characters, can avoid falling in the pothole of acting 'in the same manner'. If you dont know what I mean, look at all the actors who were in F.R.I.E.N.D.S., especially Matthew Perry who played Chandler (I did love his amusing dialogs!). The downside going the other way is that as a movie actor who just plunges into a workable structure of characters with chemistry, you mostly stick out like a sore thumb. Especially in a comedic series, a crime series acting is much easier for a movie star to blend in than a sitcom. Like Brad Pitt in F.R.I.E.N.D.S. but that is understandable as he does not play in many romantic comedies or comedies for that matter unlike Julia Roberts who looked Vivacious in F.R.I.E.N.D.S. but otherwise fell into the character and blended in.
Again, I digress so the other things that I like about this series is that it has variety - not specialized makes it dynamic. There is teh oddball effect of oddman Goren/Goldblum (cant be bothered wth names) and there is nothing like eccentricity to make the plot line interesting. This series has a very meandering kind of plot lines which is nice as you are sort of taken for a ride.
I have now been a bit interested in Law and Order since the new ADA arrived but it is also hard to come across episodes of this online.
Besides the above, CSI:NY is notable and quite less than that is CSI: Miami for me. I do dislike just drug busting and gang warfares. I have tried Numb3rs,Crossing Jordan, and a few other forgettable ones which I havent bothered to keep track at all. Any good recommendations?
Edit: Psych is officially off the 'tried and disappointed' list.
7. Psych: To set itself apart from other crime series, this has the rare combo genre additive - comedy. In fact, this isn't a 'crime' series, it's the delightful book lover's one-of-those-childhood-faves - Mystery!! If you Google ' comedy mystery', this is the only ongoing series you will find. It took me quite sometime to gauge that the series wasnt all that bad- all with the main character's fast talking phony ESP generated enlightenments. I still feel there isnt really any need for the psychic theatrics - the reasoning behind any discoveries or deductions is disregarded due to those shenanigans. However, the plot lines are actually a bit innovative. I always do like black-white workable combo (Scrubs anyone?)- and if fast talking is slowed down enough to be listened, there are juicy comedic tid-bits. I like the characters in general, since the crime is like a book mystery- investigated by overgrown amateur detectives. The little preludes of Sean's childhood being coached by his dad, are the appetisers that make me keep want to keep on watching the series. Observation is the key. Sherlock Holmes methodology might never be replaced as the greatest inspiration for any media, book, plays etc involving any form of investigation that captures the imagination of the masses. His creator was indeed a genius and it is sad, with the world being the most advanced than it had ever been, the revolution of "ground-breaking" something wont quite be as astoundingly futuristic even to the layman's eye.
Coming back again, I just want to point out that with all the current dramas about crimes from a procedure POV, the simple delectable joy of solving a 'mystery' is almost lost in telly series and one sadly will have to turn to books to enjoy that 'harmless' way of fun or just watch Psych.
8. Dexter: Is this a 'crime' series? I suppose it is in a way, but it is more of a drama and something different with my favourite element packed between the molecules. Remember I mentioned, I dislike personal relations between characters in a crime series? Well, in this one, its the opposite for me. Maybe because this is based on an actual series of novels.AND the direction is simply fantastic. I always say that books are better than the inspired series or movie. Unfortunately, I hadnt started with the books so I wont be able to judge from that perspective BUT the alterations from the book as per wikipedia, is quite appealing to me. and whoever (in plural if need be) did the screenplay and planned how the series would go did a very perceptive job of it. This series is a strange mish-mash of fantastic as well as realistic (as much as making some parts believably realistic to an inexperienced and heavily media fed but partially realistic person) represantation of a simple anyone-might-have-thought-before idea. Simple the idea might be, but somehow I have been lucky enough to not have encountered unpolished, poorly implemented versions of "through the mind of a serial killer" before, or maybe I have - but they havent been memorable enough to me to dent my scope of thoroughly enjoying this series.
When a series is narrative, you feel like you are riding on a train entering into a cave of unknown sights/attractions. I feel that mode captures the imagination of the audience, and makes it easier to follow for me. I suppose it depends on the disposition of the audience - whether they like to follow one person or be presented with images, scenes and like to arrive to their own conclusions. The former is bound to be popular, as gaming is indeed popular and you definitely enter as a character, not as an onlooker.
Many things can be said about this series and I am sure there are wholesome reviews about this on the net already since both books and series have/ bound to have their separate and aggregate set of fans, I would just like to emphasize how much I liked the creators/writers paid attention to grow each character and the personality of the main character. Everyone is grey. And maybe I dont stray away much from crime series, which is why I am unfamiliar to character growth or wholesome characters but this one is a definite watch, if one wants to see that in crime series or rather series involving crimes. Also, 'mystery' is very much a part of this series.
EDIT:
9. Bones: There are so many things wrong with this series but the - shall I call it the dare-to-be-different - bits make the series something you would want to watch the next episode of-there really should be a word for that phrase or a website that can supply one-word-for - it would have to have a ridiculously intelligent search engine though. 0s and 1s just dont go that far.
Reverting back, the plot ideas sometimes are new- and interestingly brought in, the characters are likeable though Brennan's dialogue is a blasphemy to geekspeak or rather a specialist's mode of speaking. Not many actors/tresses can deliver a believable impression of being knowledgeable of what they say - the prettier they are, the more flat the image falls- I have no prejudice against beauty - male or female - soothe the eyes. However, if you are one who likes to listen out for/discern chemistry- credibility and/or even an awkward but plausible scenario of conversing characters- you can help cringe through her "release of seretonin ..." gibberish. It is insulting how daftly a socially inept "squint" is portrayed - like most professionals who arent inherently writers to begin with - the characters start out robotic and malformed though as the series progresses- proves that time and experience is a good way to improve.
Another fantastic thing that I have to point out - after trying to write fiction myself - is that you can NOT portray people if you are socially awkward/inexperienced/insensible - you have to be a pretty perceptive person to be a good writer. That's why good writers make good dinner table guests and their words- quotes are priceless or at least pricey. For an objective robotic person, who actually says what they think- shows they have no imagination and cant be bestseller writers. Sounds awfully narrow minded, but thats the way the cookie crumbles.
Going onto the good part of the series, the 'author' has a good idea of what he/she wants - formulaic but likeable AND there are a good cast of characters. Emily D is very pretty but not the 'great' actress- she however has what it takes to suit the role and has grown through the series. My guess is that the Emmy Awards group make sure that they give one to at least one of the main characters of every popular series to make a fair distribution. David B is well matched into his character and enough experienced actor to fill his shoes in this series. Angela - dont know her real name - is playing herself and is extremely likeable as is her fiance/hubby. Anyway, the plotlines for the mysteries are drawing and I like how sex is not overtly shown but is as casual as consenting professional adults with no obvious commitments for the main two. Many do live their lives like that- or so I like to think. There is an abstraction in the predictable way the cases are supposed to be solved - and that is the 'writer''s innate gift - which he/she is unable to quantify or control but is free-flowing or driven by something else which shows a certain simple-mindedness or rather uncomplicated way of thinking of the 'author'.
Again, this is one of those series that feels like reading a fast paced crime novel which would be a must have - for a long train journey.
1. The Mentalist: There is nothing like watching the charming and infallible albeit often overstepping his boundaries of propriety - Patrick James - played very very dexterously by Simon Baker- breathe in wit and entertainment into what would have been an easily very boring forgettable crime series with pretty/handsome actors playing a set of unimpressive characters. His insights are en-likened to the great fictional detective of literature with a more modern day approach. The cases themselves are not much to look at, even the great villain Red John's, but the writers do make sure that Patrick James keeps the crime procedural anything but normal. I am glad that they made sure audience would watch till the end for a tiny dessert of James' finishing touch.
2. Crime Scene Investigation (CSI): This is where it all began ....at least for me. The extensive use of Forensics in fictional telly has definitely been popularized by this series if not pioneered by it. And I am glad it started when I was much younger so that by now, there are a good set of 9 seasons to look back at. It is a pity Grissom(William Peterson) left but Dr. Langston (Laurence Fishburne) has made up for what would inevitably sway the equilibrium the characters were at. The writers might have disappointingly try to make Langston into a make-shift Grissom but nonetheless, I still look forward to seeing more of him. Personally, I think this series have a bit of an unfair advantage of drawing numerous resources to keep new things and possible sources of crime to feed the dynamism thanks to the amazing budget they have for each episode but their team of writers are commendable in the way they device a storyline by just randomly pulling ideas to be as extensively eclectic in plot types as possible and building as much factual structure to make the stories not too fantastic.
3. Law & Order(SVU or special victims unit): I used to really like this series as there is nothing that feels so righteously gratifying as seeing a child molester or rapist etc to be found out, tracked down and put to justice. But the plotlines are thinning and I am sure the ratings are falling. I have read/heard that for those who like these kinds of series, they like the characters' personal lives being shown to be affected as it makes them more humanistic. I personally dislike that and sometimes, I feel its too much overdrawn here. And I cringe when I see Olivia playing normal characters for a police sting operation. She seems too stiff and cop-like. Years of acting in one TV series make it hard to blend into a different role but it would be comparatively easier for those who do comedies than those who do crime series. I do like the police boss woman stricken by Cancer (Bless her as they say here) and that kind of personal life thing I can deal with, the affairs drive me mad. Anyway, I forget why I liked this series so I wont rant on this any further.
4. NCIS: What I so loved about this series which actually falls short in crime procedure than CSI in oh-so-many ways (one woman doing all forensics?? Whoever thought there was a being like that. Can you imagine how big her brain would have to be?), I do like the special attention in wit, sarcasm and friendly competition that you so miss in other series. The first 2 seasons or was it one, with Kate Avery was so dry (went from back to front with this series), I didnt miss her leaving the series. Ziva on the other hand was a perfect match for Tony with their back and forth spouts of repartees and kept my interest for long. I have noticed they have downplayed the chemistry between these two now and I guess have accepted the fact that these two will never form a couple. I know I said I dont like couples in these kinds of series but there are a few exceptional cases, like Calleigh & Eric in CSI:Miami and this one here. Thats it, all others like Grissom and Sara are just downright unpalatable to me, I like some people to be asexual in such series- the ones as authority figure - not because I crush on them (eeeh, that was so school girly), its just because, it sort of hurts the image- I sound so hollywood now ..hmm..Back to point here, I do like the musing coroner, he is like the erudite, natural teacher and empathizing grandpa that I have always wanted, (he is young enough to be my father though), Abby is growing on me, McGee is someone I would really go out with :D, Tony is a guy I am pretty sure I have seen around and Ziva is a perfect sweetheart. Have I left anyone out? Oh yeah, the coroner's assistant, I like him.
5.Criminal Minds: I like the characters though it is hard to see how the boss transcended from Dharma & Greg to this. I am glad how Rossi replaced Gideon who I never did like. I have to admit I have a weakness for serial killer plot lines (this is the first time I have admitted this online, Gasp!) and this series was one I was bound to watch someday. I, however, dislike how the crimes are often enacted. The screams got time for me to get used to. It is a horrible thing no doubt, but I am here for the investigation of it and the unwinding of the plot. This is one of the few series that actually uses profiling which is only done for serial killers only since you can gauge personality etc from their long spree. The speedy catching of one is fantastic though since in real life, these kind of people go for a long time, undetected. If only reality could catch up with fiction, huh? Anyway, I love how the frnshp between Garcia and Morgan is what I love and I love the fact that the casting directors didnt go old school to put a general-idea hottie in that role (unlike NCIS) and actually played it good with a believable bubbly bright Kirsten Vangsness.
I have seen almost all episodes of all teh above series except SVU, really hard to come across some of their episodes.
6. Law & Order - Criminal Intent: Detective Goren makes most of this series and what I looove about this one is that personal lives are kept to a minimum. Of all the good crime series around, this one keeps this part to the minimum and automatically I like it. Goldblum makes another make-shift replacement of Goren, I say make-shift because the new character's dialogues would be something that the retired character would say, and rarely would it be as well played by the new character and you can almost see the similar intonation. But the good thing is that when you bring movie actors in, they are quite good in what they do and actually having the experience of working in different movies as different characters, can avoid falling in the pothole of acting 'in the same manner'. If you dont know what I mean, look at all the actors who were in F.R.I.E.N.D.S., especially Matthew Perry who played Chandler (I did love his amusing dialogs!). The downside going the other way is that as a movie actor who just plunges into a workable structure of characters with chemistry, you mostly stick out like a sore thumb. Especially in a comedic series, a crime series acting is much easier for a movie star to blend in than a sitcom. Like Brad Pitt in F.R.I.E.N.D.S. but that is understandable as he does not play in many romantic comedies or comedies for that matter unlike Julia Roberts who looked Vivacious in F.R.I.E.N.D.S. but otherwise fell into the character and blended in.
Again, I digress so the other things that I like about this series is that it has variety - not specialized makes it dynamic. There is teh oddball effect of oddman Goren/Goldblum (cant be bothered wth names) and there is nothing like eccentricity to make the plot line interesting. This series has a very meandering kind of plot lines which is nice as you are sort of taken for a ride.
I have now been a bit interested in Law and Order since the new ADA arrived but it is also hard to come across episodes of this online.
Besides the above, CSI:NY is notable and quite less than that is CSI: Miami for me. I do dislike just drug busting and gang warfares. I have tried Numb3rs,Crossing Jordan, and a few other forgettable ones which I havent bothered to keep track at all. Any good recommendations?
Edit: Psych is officially off the 'tried and disappointed' list.
7. Psych: To set itself apart from other crime series, this has the rare combo genre additive - comedy. In fact, this isn't a 'crime' series, it's the delightful book lover's one-of-those-childhood-faves - Mystery!! If you Google ' comedy mystery', this is the only ongoing series you will find. It took me quite sometime to gauge that the series wasnt all that bad- all with the main character's fast talking phony ESP generated enlightenments. I still feel there isnt really any need for the psychic theatrics - the reasoning behind any discoveries or deductions is disregarded due to those shenanigans. However, the plot lines are actually a bit innovative. I always do like black-white workable combo (Scrubs anyone?)- and if fast talking is slowed down enough to be listened, there are juicy comedic tid-bits. I like the characters in general, since the crime is like a book mystery- investigated by overgrown amateur detectives. The little preludes of Sean's childhood being coached by his dad, are the appetisers that make me keep want to keep on watching the series. Observation is the key. Sherlock Holmes methodology might never be replaced as the greatest inspiration for any media, book, plays etc involving any form of investigation that captures the imagination of the masses. His creator was indeed a genius and it is sad, with the world being the most advanced than it had ever been, the revolution of "ground-breaking" something wont quite be as astoundingly futuristic even to the layman's eye.
Coming back again, I just want to point out that with all the current dramas about crimes from a procedure POV, the simple delectable joy of solving a 'mystery' is almost lost in telly series and one sadly will have to turn to books to enjoy that 'harmless' way of fun or just watch Psych.
8. Dexter: Is this a 'crime' series? I suppose it is in a way, but it is more of a drama and something different with my favourite element packed between the molecules. Remember I mentioned, I dislike personal relations between characters in a crime series? Well, in this one, its the opposite for me. Maybe because this is based on an actual series of novels.AND the direction is simply fantastic. I always say that books are better than the inspired series or movie. Unfortunately, I hadnt started with the books so I wont be able to judge from that perspective BUT the alterations from the book as per wikipedia, is quite appealing to me. and whoever (in plural if need be) did the screenplay and planned how the series would go did a very perceptive job of it. This series is a strange mish-mash of fantastic as well as realistic (as much as making some parts believably realistic to an inexperienced and heavily media fed but partially realistic person) represantation of a simple anyone-might-have-thought-before idea. Simple the idea might be, but somehow I have been lucky enough to not have encountered unpolished, poorly implemented versions of "through the mind of a serial killer" before, or maybe I have - but they havent been memorable enough to me to dent my scope of thoroughly enjoying this series.
When a series is narrative, you feel like you are riding on a train entering into a cave of unknown sights/attractions. I feel that mode captures the imagination of the audience, and makes it easier to follow for me. I suppose it depends on the disposition of the audience - whether they like to follow one person or be presented with images, scenes and like to arrive to their own conclusions. The former is bound to be popular, as gaming is indeed popular and you definitely enter as a character, not as an onlooker.
Many things can be said about this series and I am sure there are wholesome reviews about this on the net already since both books and series have/ bound to have their separate and aggregate set of fans, I would just like to emphasize how much I liked the creators/writers paid attention to grow each character and the personality of the main character. Everyone is grey. And maybe I dont stray away much from crime series, which is why I am unfamiliar to character growth or wholesome characters but this one is a definite watch, if one wants to see that in crime series or rather series involving crimes. Also, 'mystery' is very much a part of this series.
EDIT:
9. Bones: There are so many things wrong with this series but the - shall I call it the dare-to-be-different - bits make the series something you would want to watch the next episode of-there really should be a word for that phrase or a website that can supply one-word-for - it would have to have a ridiculously intelligent search engine though. 0s and 1s just dont go that far.
Reverting back, the plot ideas sometimes are new- and interestingly brought in, the characters are likeable though Brennan's dialogue is a blasphemy to geekspeak or rather a specialist's mode of speaking. Not many actors/tresses can deliver a believable impression of being knowledgeable of what they say - the prettier they are, the more flat the image falls- I have no prejudice against beauty - male or female - soothe the eyes. However, if you are one who likes to listen out for/discern chemistry- credibility and/or even an awkward but plausible scenario of conversing characters- you can help cringe through her "release of seretonin ..." gibberish. It is insulting how daftly a socially inept "squint" is portrayed - like most professionals who arent inherently writers to begin with - the characters start out robotic and malformed though as the series progresses- proves that time and experience is a good way to improve.
Another fantastic thing that I have to point out - after trying to write fiction myself - is that you can NOT portray people if you are socially awkward/inexperienced/insensible - you have to be a pretty perceptive person to be a good writer. That's why good writers make good dinner table guests and their words- quotes are priceless or at least pricey. For an objective robotic person, who actually says what they think- shows they have no imagination and cant be bestseller writers. Sounds awfully narrow minded, but thats the way the cookie crumbles.
Going onto the good part of the series, the 'author' has a good idea of what he/she wants - formulaic but likeable AND there are a good cast of characters. Emily D is very pretty but not the 'great' actress- she however has what it takes to suit the role and has grown through the series. My guess is that the Emmy Awards group make sure that they give one to at least one of the main characters of every popular series to make a fair distribution. David B is well matched into his character and enough experienced actor to fill his shoes in this series. Angela - dont know her real name - is playing herself and is extremely likeable as is her fiance/hubby. Anyway, the plotlines for the mysteries are drawing and I like how sex is not overtly shown but is as casual as consenting professional adults with no obvious commitments for the main two. Many do live their lives like that- or so I like to think. There is an abstraction in the predictable way the cases are supposed to be solved - and that is the 'writer''s innate gift - which he/she is unable to quantify or control but is free-flowing or driven by something else which shows a certain simple-mindedness or rather uncomplicated way of thinking of the 'author'.
Again, this is one of those series that feels like reading a fast paced crime novel which would be a must have - for a long train journey.