The Defenders- Las Vegas v. Reid review

The second episode of The Defenders introduced us to the way they are naming episodes: as case names. We approve. At first, we rolled our eyes when we saw the first defendant, a mother facing jail time for accidently hitting a jogger with her car. This is the second truly sympathetic client The Defenders has given us in two weeks. We understand that this new show is trying to gain a following, and it doesn’t want to turn us off yet by showing defense attorneys as most of them are (people defending scumbags). But if they keep giving us precious little lambs rather than a mix of guilty and innocent people, we are going to start complaining. Then we found out that this episode prominently featured two clients, and one was guilty as well as lacking in common sense. Once again, we felt for the defendants and chuckled at the attorneys’ antics. Does this show rise to the level of quality art? Naw. Are we entertained? Yup.

Episode grade- B

Watch it here: http://www.cbs.com/primetime/the_defenders/video/?play=true&pid=T7cyPIhv3uIDWVU9g28FViE_3ymBTy6k

The Defenders Pilot review

After the other two premiering legal shows were so unworthy (The Whole Truth, Outlaw), we were not looking forward to the third new one. But The Defenders was better than we thought it would be. One of us is not overly attached to procedurals, and the idea of two flashy Vegas defense attorneys made us yawn.

But then we saw the girl from Derek’s brain surgery trials on Grey’s Anatomy. If you watch that show, you will remember that she was the first success of Meredith and Derek’s trials (the girl who wanted to have sex with her boyfriend who went into surgery). She was a good enough actress to make us bawl on Grey's, and she’s good here too as a brand new attorney. We are glad the actress is getting work.

The main lawyers in the firm are Nick and Pete, and in the pilot, they defended a young man charged with murder. We found ourselves caring about the trial and the defendant. We chuckled at the lawyers’ tricky tactics in trying to get the young man off. We held our breaths as the verdict was read. We won’t give it away. This pilot brought tension, heart, and laughs. It was a lot of fun, for what it was.

Episode grade: B

Watch it here: http://www.cbs.com/primetime/the_defenders/video/?play=true&pid=qUl7bac5swQOkALpnr3jO9mAoR5XEX_X

Requests for more new shows granted, Jersey Shore out.

Some shy, uncommenting readers have emailed requesting coverage of more new shows. Shy or not, they shall be placated. More new show coverage:

*Lone Star- Sept. 20. Mondays at 9:00. Drama about a Texas con man.
*Chase- Sept. 20. Mondays at 10:00 A cop show
*Raising Hope- Sept 21. Tuesdays at 9:00. A comedy about a 23-year-old new single father.
Running Wilde- Sept. 21 Tuesdays at 9:30. A comedy with Will Arnet (from the excellent "Arrested Development) and Keri Russell (from the not-as-excellent, but still nice, Felicity).
*Better with You- Sept. 22 Wednesdays at 8:30 A romantic comedy show
*The Defenders- Sept. 22 Wednesdays at 10:00 A show about lawyers
*Body of Proof- Sept 24. Fridays at 9:00. A medical mystery procedural

Man, we've got a lot of TV to watch now.

So something has to go. Jersey Shore will no longer be covered. The move to Miami takes away the subject, it's just Sammie and Ronnie screaming at each other, and the novely has worn off. We predict this show's popularity will wane in the next year, and we want to be among the first to tune out.