Previewing Murder in the First

I was looking through someone’s summer television preview and was shocked to see The Killing on the list. I knew that Netflix had picked it up for a third season, but I never heard anyone talk about that assumed that was it. Why Netflix picked it up in the first place was puzzling considering the show was the most universally hated thing on television since the Lost finale. Of course networks do not make decisions based on quality, only on people watching even if they were hate watching like me.

So not only did that horrible first season finale of The Killing warrant three more seasons based on the numbers, it was successful enough to spawn more television series that focus on just one case. Last summer saw the premiere of the uneven The Bridge on FX. This summer TNT is unveiling their own single case mystery Murder in the First, points for not having "The" in the title.

One of my other big problem with the show (after no conclusion after the first season) was I did not care for the characters as people, by the end; I barely cared for them as officers of the law. So I was wary of Murder in the First as before we see a dead body, we get to see Kathleen Robertson (Boss) as a single mother getting her daughter for school while the ex-husband hits her up for money (that storyline may have been dropped because when he showed up in the next two episodes he did not come across as a deadbeat) and Taye Diggs (Go) getting news that his wife cancer is incurable.

The murder in question is that of a drug addict. This should be simple right? Dick Wolfe solves five to ten of these cases in one episode per various Law in Order seasons. And this one seems to be easy too; there is even a confession early on. Except a second dead body tied to the dead drug addict’s son (Tom Felton, The Apparition) who just so happens to be the youngest billionaire on the planet: part Steve Job, part modern day King Joffrey, one hundred percent douchebag. You kind of want him to be murderer just so he can get his comeuppance.

The first couple episodes also have a few more people of interest that caught my eye, first and foremost is Steven Weber (Wings) who plays Felton’s driver and pilot and co-worker of the second victim (the person who watches too much television in me has to wonder why you would bring in Steven Weber to just be a glorified chauffeur). Then there is Richard Schiff (The West Wing) as Felton’s trusted lawyer who is always ready for a quick retort adding some humor to the show which is solely missing from its peers.

After making it through the first two seasons of The Killing and one of The Bridge, I am beginning to wonder if one case can sustain a ten episode season. Nothing n the first couple episodes of Murder in the First really change my mind. Of course with a show like this it is about sticking the landing. The Killing did not with a silly; the aunt did it, but did not know she was doing it ending. The Bridge was slightly better but way over the top. And though nothing in Murder in the First grabbed me, I will continue to watch to find out who really did it because I am a sucker for a good murder mystery. And even bad ones, like I said, I made it through two seasons The Killing.

Murder in the First airs Mondays at 10:00 on TNT. It is preceded by Major Crimes at 9:00. You can download Murder in the First on iTunes.