Vegas Update

The new CBS series has become must see television on my calender. The series is a very solid show with a cast with stars such as Dennis Quaid and Michael Chilkis. What has become clear in the series is that this well shot series with it's both weekly plots as well as it's long term serial plot.

This is a hard mix and it is telling on the plots. We know as we watch the show that eventually the mobster Savino and Sherrif Lamb are going to have to come to blows. Each week however the flotsam and jetsam of characters that have found their way to Las Vegas offers up a murderer or victim that needs to be dealt with.

The problem the show has shown thus far is that in order to keep much of the show available for it's long developing simmer between the main characters the weekly crimes to be solved are formula at best. Crime is committed, easy suspect is brought forward, seems too easy so more research is done, and soon the real suspect with a hidden motive is found. Soon after that the suspect confesses to Lamb's interrogation technique which calls for goading and agreeing with the suspect that something " had to be done."

In short what is wrong with this show is what is wrong with any network drama. With the need for weekly self enclosed plots to justify the long term serial arcs most of those weekly crimes are the worst part of the show.

I love the actors and will continue to watch this show, it is however on notice from me, it is no longer a given that I will continue to watch.