I am – Hercules!!
A new Canadian drama from writer-producer Tassie Cameron (“DiGrassi: The Next Generation,” “Flashpoint”) about rookie cops in an unnamed city, ABC’s “Rookie Blue” stars Canadians Missy Peregryn (“Stick It,” “Heroes,” “Reaper”) and Gregory Smith (“Everwood”). Most of the premiere focuses on Peregryn’s character, as it should; Peregryn is possessed of A-plus charisma and manifests arguably the best reason to tune in. Of all the many new cop show pilots I’ve seen this year, this is not the best and a long way from the worst. I had problems with the script – some of it seemed unrealistic and even nonsensical at junctures (how would a second-generation cop not know what “on the job” meant if I do?) - but it also seemed a bit better than average for its medium and genre. Faint praise. I’m aware. And maybe because this is really a Canadian show and perhaps because ABC didn’t pay enough to secure the right to allow ABC executives to push “Rookie Blue” deeper into their well of mediocrity, there is none of the invasive “hey, this is supposed to be funny” ABC dramedy music that seems to taint so much of the network’s fare. Bottom line: While I didn’t hate “Rookie Blue” the way I have other new hourlongs this season, I’d be shocked if I found myself tuning in for a second episode. USA Today says:

… nothing more than just another terrible summer TV show. …

The New York Times says:

… a little saucy, but not at all cynical, and the pilot episode takes a serious, even warmhearted look at the fluttering anxiety of the first day on the job. … It’s not a groundbreaking police drama, nor is it divertingly cheesy. It’s well made and well meaning, and that can be a hard sell on television, even in the post-Spelling era.

The Los Angeles Times says:

… "Rookie Blue" is, to be quick about it, "Grey's Anatomy" with uniforms and guns. That you probably will find that comparison in every review you read of the series … While making no extravagant claims for the series — it is not, you may have gathered, alarmingly original — I rather enjoyed the pilot. Perhaps it's a Canadian thing, but like "Flashpoint," "Rookie Blue" doesn't oversell itself. It is modest and plain in a way that makes even its less likely moments feel credible enough. And its 13-episode order is just the size of summer. …

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette says:

… Earlier this year ABC debuted the short-lived "The Deep End," which was essentially "Grey's Anatomy" in a law firm. "Rookie Blue" is "Grey's Anatomy" in a police station. And that's about as remarkable as this generic Canadian co-production gets. …

The Boston Globe says:

… There’s absolutely no texture in the world of “Rookie Blue,’’ no effort to make it seem like anything more than a routine hour of TV. …

Variety says:

… feels tired and predictable even before finishing its first patrol. … the pilot goes down smoothly enough, but lacking a single novel beat and with no one but Peregrym registering, there's simply no compelling reason to make another visit to this precinct.

ABC News says:

… at its core, "Rookie" is a terrible show. …

9 p.m. Thursday. ABC. Follow Herc on Twitter!! Follow Evil Herc on Twitter!!

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