I love crime/detective/cop shows and Murder In The First looks like it’s going to be a big fav for me. I just finished watching the 10 episode season 1 which is one story in a season long arch. The TNT series was created by Steven Bochco and Eric Lodal, and stars Taye Diggs and Kathleen Robertson. Ian Anthony Dale, Raphael Sbarge, Lombardo Boyar, Currie Graham & Mimi Kirkland.
Set in San Francisco, the show follows a single case across an entire season when Homicide detectives Terry English and Hildy Mulligan are called in to investigate the an unidentified male is found dead in the Tenderloin district. The SFPD learn that the victim had been in contact with tech prodigy Erich Blunt. English and Mulligan find a likely suspect for the shooting and close the case, but are soon drawn back into the investigation when Blunt’s flight attendant is found dead in her home. All suspicions turn to him and although Blunt takes the road of full cooperation his personal laywer insists that he hire famed defense attorney Warren Daniels. Daniels comes in on the case on a certain set of rules and begins to showboat and stratergise the DA’s case against Blunt. An ex-employee comes forward with a rape allegation against him, which she had settled out of court but the jury isn’t convinced it. Despite the DA having a lot of evidence, the jury rules him as not guilty.
On the way out of the courtroom, with no one else in earshot, Blunt reminds English and Mulligan of the rule of double jeopardy and then says that he killed Cindy. English and Mulligan pursue the theory that Blunt directed the murder of Kevin Nyers, his biological father. Despite being told to stand down, English meets Blunt’s biological grandparents and his suspicions cause Mulligan to check a young eye witness who places the dying grandfather at the scene of the crime. He is caught on hidden tape explaining how he committed both murders, including his orders against Cindy to abort his child. He is arrested and his company’s stock loses all its value. Daniels refuses to defend him again, telling David that he knew all along that Blunt killed Cindy and actually failed the lie detector test. The detectives’ celebratory walk in Golden Gate Park is interrupted by the news that Blunt has hanged himself in his cell.
An excellent shot series with an outstanding cast who perform very well. We have some heavyweights, none less than the commanding presence of James Cromwell, who in his 70s is still a formidable force as the defense lawyer. Well worth a watch. I would rate the show, based on the first season, an 8,5 outta 10!