TV-Reviewed

I was a little hesitant to praise this series based solely on the pilot, but I’m beginning to warm to this show now. Unlike many crime dramas, Life doesn’t focus just on the crime the detectives work. So far, there has been a number of scenes which have been used to shine a light on Charlie Crews’ backstory. The faux documentary scenes are a great example of this. Charlie’s lawyer, former partner, and the lead investigator were all shown this week in these documentary clips. Some of these clips provide very little to the story and don’t seem necessary. The lead investigator on the case which sent Charlie to prison seems absolutely certain that Charlie was guilty, regardless of what the evidence shows.

The investigation into the murder of a newlywed led to another rift between Crews and Reese. While Reese thought the groom was guilty, Crews claimed he didn’t do it, based on the fact that he looked into the man’s eyes and didn’t see a killer. This disagreement came out publicly when they were speaking to their supervisor, Lt. Davis. She didn’t like Crews disagreeing with the opinion of nearly everyone else on the force, so she sided with Reese.

We learned in the pilot that Charlie’s father is getting re-married. Crews doesn’t like the idea of him marrying such a young woman, so he’s been avoiding all of his dad’s calls. Fed up, Charlie’s step-mother-to-be pays him a visit in an attempt to befriend him. When she confronts him, Charlie turns away and returns to his police work.

The issue of his father re-marrying is a big deal for anyone, but it’s not the only thing Charlie has over his head. Charlie’s former partner was shunned by the other officers because they thought he was dirty like Charlie. When Crews is invited by his former partner, Bobby Starks, to a little BBQ party, he reluctantly agrees. When he shows up, he receives a very uncomfortable chat with Bobby’s wife. She goes on to tell Charlie about how her husband was treated after Charlie was arrested. Crews had no idea about it and is asked by the wife to leave when he finishes eating. I wasn’t at all surprised by this - it’s perfectly understandable for her to still blame Charlie for this, but he is innocent, afterall. I’m very interested to see how Charlie copes with this as he investigates the murders he was sent to prison for committing.

Life - Tear Asunder
Original Air Date: October 03, 2007

Rating: 7.6