DANGER AHEAD
New CBS series ‘FBI’ takes viewers on a dramatic New York City ride-along
‘LAW & ORDER” franchise creator Dick Wolf is one of the executive producers of CBS’ new fall series, “FBI.”
So you know what that means: reliable, meat-and-potatoes drama that doesn’t reinvent the wheel but also won’t disappoint viewers who’ve tuned into all of those Wolf-produced procedurals (cops, firemen, lawyers, doctors) for nearly 30 years.
Now it’s the FBI’s turn. The big difference here is that “FBI” airs on CBS, and not on NBC, Wolf ’s main broadcast TV home since 1990. But that’s about its biggest distinction, besides Wolf ’s return to New York City — after planting his series franchise flag in Chicago. It also allows CBS the chance for some synergy with local station WCBS/Ch. 2 (featured prominently in the opener).
The setup here follows the New York field office of the FBI, notably Special Agents Maggie Bell (Missy Peregrym) and Omar Adom “OA” Zidan (Zeeko Zaki, “Six”). In Tuesday’s series premiere, they investigate a series of deadly, racially charged bombings in the South Bronx linked to terrorism both in- ternational and domestic. Back at the office, they’re supported by goateed Assistant Special Agent in Charge Jubal Valentine (Jeremy Sisto, who played Cyrus Lupo for several years on “Law & Order” — what’s with the weird character names?) and, starting in Episode 2, Special Agent in Charge Dana Mosier (Sela Ward).
(That character is named Ellen in the pilot and is played by Connie Nielsen, whose part was recast with Ward back in May. Only the pilot episode was available for review.)
That’s pretty much all you need to know about “FBI” which, like the city in which it’s set, moves at a quick pace with events unfolding rapidly (or just in time for the next commercial break). The main characters aren’t given much back story — save for two quick references to Maggie’s dead husband and OA’s military background (he’s a West Point graduate) — but I expect that will be detailed as the series unfolds. The performances are fine; Peregrym played a Toronto cop on ABC’s summer series
“Rookie Blue” for six seasons, so she’s no stranger to the genre, and Sisto is always reliable. (The main cast also includes Ebonee Noel as Analyst Kristen Chazal.)
Consider “FBI” an hour of TV comfort food. It will keep you satisfied until the next episode, without any binge-worthy cravings for Peregrym, Sisto et al. inbetween.