The new FX series Terriers has many things going for it, but it's strongest aspect might simply be how much fun it is. The rapport between stars Donal Logue (always underrated)and Michael Raymond-James (one of my favorite performances from True Blood, even if his Cajun accent wasn't always 100% consistent) doesn't break any new ground in the buddy-cop genre, but it was making me grin pretty effortlessly throughout the hour. Logue especially does a great job in sketching out who his character is: a loser who is probably too clever to be one, but living with past mistakes and doing the best he can with it.
In the premiere, we are introduced to what would seem to be a normal day in the life of these unlicensed private investigators. They steal a dog back from canine thief and return it to the rightful owner (yes, basically the opening scene of Ace Ventura) and all they get for payment is free dry-cleaning. And though this dry-cleaning eventually leads to dinner at a fancy restaurant, you kind of get the picture that the "Gomez Bros Pool Service" team isn't living the high life off its P.I. earnings.
But of course a big case falls into their lap involving a rich real estate developer, a sextape, a couple of murders, and "Close to You" by the Carpenters. The end result has Logue and Raymond-James' Hank and Britt framing the developer (played by Christopher Cousins of Breaking Bad fame) because of his connection to the murder of Hank's friend. While the final scene where Britt warns Hank that messing with the developer will likely come back to haunt them reminded me of The Simpsons episode where Chief Wiggum moves to New Orleans and is looking forward to facing off with Big Daddy "each and every week," (this is already a way-too-long sentence, but you stuck around this long so you might as well stick around 'til the end) I like the idea that there will be this serialized aspect to go along with the "Case-of-the-Week" subplots. I don't know if Cousins is a good enough actor to pull off menacing (he always kind of underwhelmed me on Breaking Bad), I think having that long-term antagonist is good for a show like this.
But that's not to say I don't think the "Case-of-the-Week" plotlines won't work. I look forward to all the mischief these goofinators are going to get themselves into as much as the serious stuff. If the writing stays as sharp and the chemistry stays and natural, Terriers could (oh yeah, I'm going to go there) have some bite.
Lingering Thoughts
- Fun supporting characters? We got 'em. There's the hard-nosed cop, the sassy lawyer, the cute and charming girlfriend, and the still-pined-over ex-wife. All in one place!
- The one line that really sums of Hank best: "There are only so many places you go, Hank."
OVERALL GRADE: A-
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