Weak Detectives

[Dr. Thong]

From the early years, I thought Phil Cerreta was a weak character. Paul Sorvino's a good actor, but his character was too nice. I realize they had to have a character that contrasted with the young and cocky Logan, but Phil was a little too nice for my tastes.

I liked Logan's first partner, Max Greevey, better, though Lennie Briscoe and Mike Logan made the ultimate team. Too bad their partnership only lasted three seasons. The fact that Dick Wolf had Logan written out because he felt the Briscoe and Logan characters were too similar was the height of foolishness. I'm glad to see we'll be getting to see Logan again on next season's Criminal Intent episodes, even if it is only for half the season.

Rey Curtis was probably the worst of all the detectives: He was too whiny and unconvincing as a tough guy. It almost looked like he was going to cry if he didn't get his way or if Van Buren swatted him down or read him the riot act. I know they were trying to make Curtis a straight arrow to contrast the cynical veteran Lennie, but he just doesn't do it for me. I'll still watch the episodes because of Lennie, but the vibe and the chemistry just isn't the same.

[cpmaz]

Originally Posted by Dr. Thong

From the early years, I thought Phil Cerreta was a weak character. Paul Sorvino's a good actor, but his character was too nice. I realize they had to have a character that contrasted with the young and cocky Logan, but Phil was a little too nice for my tastes.

I liked Logan's first partner, Max Greevey, better, though Lennie Briscoe and Mike Logan made the ultimate team. Too bad their partnership only lasted three seasons. The fact that Dick Wolf had Logan written out because he felt the Briscoe and Logan characters were too similar was the height of foolishness. I'm glad to see we'll be getting to see Logan again on next season's Criminal Intent episodes, even if it is only for half the season.

Rey Curtis was probably the worst of all the detectives: He was too whiny and unconvincing as a tough guy. It almost looked like he was going to cry if he didn't get his way or if Van Buren swatted him down or read him the riot act. I know they were trying to make Curtis a straight arrow to contrast the cynical veteran Lennie, but he just doesn't do it for me. I'll still watch the episodes because of Lennie, but the vibe and the chemistry just isn't the same.

I agree that Benjamin Bratt's Curtis was the weakest of the detective characters, but he is the only one that I didn't like. I thought Greevey and Cerreta were good foils for Logan, and the pairing of Briscoe and Logan was among TV's best ever teams. I have come to like Jesse L. Martin's Green a lot, but the jury is still out on Dennis Farina's Fontana.

I think that the characters of the assistant DAs have been more of a mixed bag; the Stone and McCoy characters as lead ADAs have been great characters, but the others have been weak (though I really liked Jill Hennessy).

[Dr. Thong]

Originally Posted by cpmaz

I think that the characters of the assistant DAs have been more of a mixed bag; the Stone and McCoy characters as lead ADAs have been great characters, but the others have been weak (though I really liked Jill Hennessy).

I only started watching L&O last year via the TNT reruns, so I saw Jack McCoy before I got to see Ben Stone. I'm stating this to give people a frame of reference for how I view the show.

I've gotten somewhat used to Ben Stone, but there are times when I wonder if the guy even has a pulse. McCoy can be a zealot and go over the line, but at least he's interesting to watch. I love Adam - Steven Hill had a great gig. He only had to say a few lines each episode, one of which was usually "Make a deal." He just kicked back while the others did all the work.

Of the female ADAs, Jill Hennessy was my favorite. Kind of button-down, but passionate about her feelings and philosophies.

[Luckymama58]

Originally Posted by Dr. Thong

The fact that Dick Wolf had Logan written out because he felt the Briscoe and Logan characters were too similar was the height of foolishness.

I sure agree with you there. It was because they were both a bit on the outspoken and quippy side that they got along so well, even tho they did see life differently. Another instance where you have a similar thing going on was when they paired Briscoe and Munch on a few episodes when Law and Order, and Homicide did crossover episodes. I would have loved to see them paired up more. And when John Munch moved to NY and joined Law and Order: SVU after Homicide went under (a real crime in my book), they had a hard time finding just the right foil for his brand of humor and finally got it right when they teamed him up with Fin (Ice T). These two characters might be on different sides of the political fence, but they sure can mix it up with the best of them. I like to watch the parts of the cases they investigate more than watching Benson and Stabler anymore. I mean, I like them too, but there is just something more interesting about the way Munch and Fin mix it up, it does harken back to the days of Briscoe and Logan.

BTW Benjamin Bratt was more eye candy for me than being a good partner for Briscoe.... IMHO

[marvin g]

What i like about these shows overall is that when they do have a cast change they don't try to re-create the last character. Instead they come up with a new personality brought into the mix of characters we are already used to. It's like real life when a new employee starts a new job. How will they fit in keeps it interesting. The few episodes with Michael Imperioli last season was intersting!

[Dr. Thong]

I'm looking forward to Chris Noth's episodes of Criminal Intent, especially to see how the chemistry will be with Annabella Sciorra. I think it has potential to be very good.

When Jerry Orbach died, I thought it would be a good idea to bring Mike Logan back as the senior detective on the original show, but I'm just glad he's back, even if it is only for half the season's CI episodes.

[marvin g]

I'm looking foward to it as well. The previws look pretty intense!