It seems that CBS continues its decision to make all things
alphabet with another series that takes place in the NCIS universe. Between CSI
and NCIS there may come a time when every series on the network is
alphabetically inclined. That might not be a bad thing as each of these series
have found tons of fans and their own way to make themselves a part of the
whole and yet separate at the same time. This holds true with this new one.
NCIS: NEW ORLEANS takes place in, well, New Orleans. But
it’s not all about creole cooking and jazz clubs, though those do pop up on
occasion here. Instead it’s about the NCIS offices there and their
investigations into crimes involving the U.S. Navy and Marine Corp. Going back
to the formula used in the original series, weekly stories revolve around day
to day crimes, mostly murder, as opposed to the LOS ANGELES series which
focuses more on terrorist threats. Those do pop up from time to time here but
aren’t the centerpiece.
The group here is led by Dwayne Pride (Scott Bakula), a New
Orleans native and ex-deputy sheriff who now runs the office. A longtime friend
of Gibbs from the original NCIS series, we learn as this show progresses that
he’s in the midst of a divorce he’s putting off as well as having a daughter
starting college. We also learn that his father (Stacy Keach) is in jail and
the pair have an unhealthy attitude towards one another.
Pride’s second in command is Christopher LaSalle (Lucas
Black). Originally from Alabama he was also a deputy sheriff before coming the
NCIS. LaSalle is the only character in the group that seems to have a very deep
southern accent which is kind of refreshing and not condescending to
southerners which it would have been if they all did. Problems arise for
LaSalle involving his brother throughout the first season.
Next in line is Meredith “Merri” Brody (Zoe McLellan), a
recent transfer from the great lakes office and the newbie of the group, even
if this is only the first season. The interplay between Merri and LaSalle makes
for some of the more humorous moments in the series and while they interact
with one another nothing romantic seems at play here, another difference from
other shows like this.
Rounding out the team are the forensics experts which
include Dr. Loretta Wade (CCH Pounder) the medical examiner for Jefferson
Parish, Sebastian Lund (Rob Kerkovich) her assistant and Patton Plame (Daryl
Mitchell), a wheelchair bound computer whiz. Each and every one of the team
members is given plenty of air time on the series and their contributions
always help in the solving of each weekly crime.
The family quality that all of these shows presents among
their characters is there but still developing as the show moves forward.
This first season does a lot to introduce the characters to
one another but at the same time it introduces the biggest character of all to
the viewer: New Orleans. This isn’t the New Orleans that we all became
acquainted with during Hurricane Katrina or the New Orleans that we witness
with news stories about Mardi Gras. This is a city that is home to normal
everyday people like you and me that are found in every city in the world. At
the same time there is a certain flavor in the people of every city in the
world as well and the flavor of this location makes up a big part of what this
series offers. As I said, it becomes a character into itself here.
Various members of the other NCIS series make appearances
here but for the most part the show focuses on the main cast. A commonality
with the other series is that there is an underlying story that pops up
throughout the season, this one involving a crime family with ties to Pride in
the past, the Broussard family. It makes for some dramatic moments and puts the
team members in the crosshairs off and on.
As an opening season this one holds up well to the other
shows in the NCIS family. The cast is solid with every member contributing to
the whole. Bakula as the central character the others form around does a great
job here as he’s always done in the past. With big shoes to fill in comparison
to the lead characters and actors in the other NCIS show he holds up well and
should take this show into a long run. That’s a good thing, just like this
series is.
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