Law & Order: Los Angeles

Skeet Ulrich and Alfred Molina achieved a rather potent premier in "Law and Order: Los Angeles". The first episode provided young, hot, Hollywood actors, burglaries of the rich and famous, murders and betrayal. There was bright sunlight in the daytime and night-lights after dark. Its a new "Law and Order" and I like it. Alfred Molina and Terrance Howard will take turns as Asst. D.A.s in different episodes. While I'm not sure how that will flow, I enjoy both actors and look forward to seeing how this plays out. Ulrich does his character justice and, so far, is not a carbon copy of other "Law and Order" copsters. I hope, he maintains his own distinct persona, as D'Onofrio certainly did. It never hurts to be exclusive, especially in a herd. I believe "Law and Order: Los Angeles" has the potential to be extra-Order-nary. Sorry, couldn't help myself. Watch it, you could like it! 10/07/2010

...and from the reviews, not a welcome one.

I looked through the reviews - I am currently watching the show on DVD. Some mention the opening dialogue not there - on the DVD, it is. Some mention the different music - it's the same music on the DVD.

Because the show is based in Los Angeles, the look is glossier, as opposed to the grittier L&O, SVU, CI, and even the UK version, which was marvelous. Later on, they attempt to make it grittier, which is partially successful. The main problem for me is that I can't relate to the police detectives of this series as I could in other franchises.

And of course, the big faux pas - I'm not sure if this is on the televised series or just the DVD, but a dead male character comes back to life in later episodes, and Alfred Molina, moved to one job, is suddenly back at his old job. Obviously on the DVDs the episodes are out of order. I am wondering if it was the same on television. If so, it just shows how much attention was paid.

One other thing: Most of the women in the smaller roles look like models, which makes the casting uninteresting. Hudson Leick, whom I know, was an extremely gorgeous top model who landed a role in Xena: Warrior Princess. She had a minuscule part in one of the episodes as a store clerk. So even the store clerks are knockouts!

I'm not sure what there is about it - I enjoy it, but somehow it doesn't draw me in as other L&Os.

I began watching this show expecting it to be pretty bad based on what I read here. The first episode did seem a bit too LA, what with starlets and the goings on in Hollywood and all. After a few episodes, the series did pick up steam and find its direction. I must admit, after Molina and Stoll became partners it really all came together.

If I have to find some criticism it would be the complexity of the crimes. I've watched all the L&O franchises but this one seems to have the most outlandish twists and turns. By the time the episode ends you are typically miles away from how it started. Not a bad thing but at times way too contrived.

Finally, did the episodes air the way they are arranged on the DVD? A major character is killed off midway only to re-appear in subsequent episodes. Really odd way to arrange the shows.

How in the world did this program replace the original Law and Order. The acting is weak at best, the story lines are even weaker. The original was on all those years because it was a QUALITY program with OUTSTANDING Actors and Actresses. Even when people left and were replaced the replacement was usually very good. Please wake up and smell the coffee and bring back the Original Law and Order. I will never waste my time again watching another Law and Order LA. It really is a shame that such a long running program as LAW and ORDER was canceled for such a weak and program like this. We always looked forward to watching the weekly series, now we'll have to look for a different program to watch in that time slot

I'vde noticed most reviews here are not kind. They whine about no theme song or opening credits. They complain about bad chemistry & story and say its just another Hollywood show. They say that this is not real L&O. I say shame on them. Yes, the opening dialouge is gone and I miss it but it doesn't ruin the show. Yes..., the theme is gone, but I actually love how they play the most recognizable notes of the song in a ghostly manner as the new logo comes onto screen. As for the stories, there's only one to judge so far but I liked it. Ya, it had the Hopllywood to it, but the producers have said not every episode will be Hollywood focused like this weeks. As for the actors, they are great! The detectives have great chemistry and the same is said for the DA's. To sum this up: The show is well written, acted, and laid out. I hope that this show does run for many years and doesn't suffer the fate of the equally good Law & Order: Trial By Jury. Yes, it's never going to replace the mother ship that NBC shouldn't of canceled (I cried when they did), but I feel as time goes on the show which has started out great will get better and better. I hope everyone else will give the show a chance. From just one episode I have to agree with USA Today's assessment when they said "What you get from LA is a show that's as solid and reliable as a well-built sedan. You know, the kind that keeps running for 20 years."