While I enjoyed the plot of the first episode, and somewhat the second and the third, the writing became worse. The plot of the fifth episode is too simple, linear, with no twists, no real excitement and anticipation, and falls into a recipe which the writers thought was enough. Well, it's not.
I guess that the biggest issue I have is the lack of imagination, creativity and most of all, work invested into the development of the story. For example, the scene in which the captains assistant brings wet towels to Elsbeth during lunch.
I was watching cop shows (most of them taking place in NYC) for more than 30 years now, and never have I seen that an assistant would go and microwave towels in the middle of the precinct, in the middle of the day. Or ever. The scene is so fake and out of place. It would have been much better (funnier) if the captain did it himself, because he likes to eat, and because he it uncharacteristically friendly and playful because he wants to get the info from Elsbeth. OR if maybe they progressed the plot by not making a fuss about the towels, and steered Elsbeth to towels in another, more clever and natural way.
In general, the characters are basic, but acceptable. Nice beat cop who reluctantly gets in for a ride, detectives who are territorial, but learn to get along, the captain (played by Wendell Pierce, always good) who plays his own game. In this episode, the zoomer girl is a caricature, but an unconvincing, bad one.
Elsbeth as a character is very likable. Quirky, self-deprecating, but very observant and intelligent character who misleads those around here into thinking she is just a dumb and silly little woman, while she is weaving her little web. She (both the character and Carrie Preston as the actress - liked her since Person of Interest) is the only reason why I will give the show another shot.
I guess that the biggest issue I have is the lack of imagination, creativity and most of all, work invested into the development of the story. For example, the scene in which the captains assistant brings wet towels to Elsbeth during lunch.
I was watching cop shows (most of them taking place in NYC) for more than 30 years now, and never have I seen that an assistant would go and microwave towels in the middle of the precinct, in the middle of the day. Or ever. The scene is so fake and out of place. It would have been much better (funnier) if the captain did it himself, because he likes to eat, and because he it uncharacteristically friendly and playful because he wants to get the info from Elsbeth. OR if maybe they progressed the plot by not making a fuss about the towels, and steered Elsbeth to towels in another, more clever and natural way.
In general, the characters are basic, but acceptable. Nice beat cop who reluctantly gets in for a ride, detectives who are territorial, but learn to get along, the captain (played by Wendell Pierce, always good) who plays his own game. In this episode, the zoomer girl is a caricature, but an unconvincing, bad one.
Elsbeth as a character is very likable. Quirky, self-deprecating, but very observant and intelligent character who misleads those around here into thinking she is just a dumb and silly little woman, while she is weaving her little web. She (both the character and Carrie Preston as the actress - liked her since Person of Interest) is the only reason why I will give the show another shot.
