SYNOPSIS
The second season of this action-packed 22 episode 1-hour series continues to follow the personal and dangerous professional lives of several uniformed police officers, paramedics and firefighters who work out of a fictional New York City Precinct, located at intersection of King and Arthur. Thus, the station houses are nicknamed “Camelot”.
CRITIQUE
Like with the first season of this addicting series, I watched all 22 episodes in four days.
The scripts, acting and direction for the individual episodes continue to be first-rate, and the extensive location filming gives the series a gritty reality that is absent from such concurrent studio-bound shows like NYPD Blue and E.R.
Yet, as good as this sophomore season might be, it is remarkably different from the series’ freshman year.
It’s been almost eighteen months since I watched/reviewed the first season of Third Watch, but if my memory is correct, the major storylines in those earlier shows had to do with the situations that the various street cops, paramedics and firefighters encountered on the job. Their individual personal storylines were there, but they were secondary to those that dealt with their work.
There were usually two or three plot threads in play each episode, some of which interconnected and/or carried over to a later episode.
In Season Two , the situation is completely reversed. Most of the episodes center on the personal problems of only one regular character. Sometimes the segment doesn’t involve their job at all.
For example, Sully (Skip Sudduth), the veteran street cop, gets romantically involved with a Russian woman (Savannah Haske), who may not be all that she seems.
His partner, rookie Ty Davis (Coby Bell), on the other hand, discovers that he has a half-sister, the product of his late father’s “2nd family”.
Cop Faith Yokas (Molly Price), a wife and mother whose husband has a major drinking problem, must decide whether or not to abort the child she is carrying.
The fact that this season of Third Watch is more character than action oriented doesn’t mean that there aren’t some pretty tense episodes spread throughout the year. “A Hero’s Rest” has to do with the hunt for a cop-killing sniper. “A Rock and a Hard Place” finds four members of the cast trapped in a subterranean drug hold with no way out, while “…And Zeus Wept” is about a Columbine-like incident.
Of course, the most memorable episode of the season, a 2-parter, involves the violent death of one of the series’ most likable characters.
Sharp, intelligent writing with involving storylines, strong, fast-paced direction and fine performances make for a great television series.
The show’s 22 episodes are presented on six discs:
THE VIDEO
The Full Frame picture is broadcast sharp, preserving the grittiness of the New York streets.
THE AUDIO
The Dolby Digital Stereo Sound is excellent.
EXTRAS
The single extra is a Gag Reel.
FINAL THOUGHT
This second season may be different from the series’ freshman year, but it is still very good drama.
