In January our televisions were first graced with Dustin Hoffman advertising a new Sky channel. With a skyline behind him which is even more iconic than the man himself - the NYC vista - he told us about the importance of stories in that voice that has earned him millions. As the advertising campaign built up some bold promises were made. In February as the adverts (which began to become slightly incessant) came to a climax we were positively salivating with anticipation for what was potentially, a cracking new power tool in the extensive Sky shed. I am pleased to say that, so far, we haven't been disappointed.
Aside from repeating, old classics like The Sopranos, Curb Your Enthusiasm and Six Feet Under, it also boasted a line up of original programmes. From Martin Scorsese's Broadwalk Empire - epic, serious and expensive ($5 million per episode), Blue Bloods - cop drama set in 'New Yawk!' to the upcoming 'Bored To Death' - surreal private eye comedy with the Hangover's Ian, AKA Zach Galifianakis, a whole host of great, all American telly is being served up on a nightly basis.
But even though the Sky Atlantic menu is packed with some serious threats to your social life the one that is posing a clear and present to danger to mine is the brilliant Blue Bloods. Basically it is a good old fashioned cop drama, but there is some other stuff going on here which makes it stand out from the rest of the troops just a little.
The drama revolves around the Reagans, a New York family who all have various connections to the NPYD. First up there is Frank, the dad. He has risen up through the ranks to become Police Commissioner, the big daddy of the NYPD who is constantly being pissed off by the obnoxious mayor - is there any other kind of New York mayor? TV seems to suggest there isn't. Frank is played by the excellent Tom Selleck of Friends, Magnum P I and hearty moustache fame. He delivers a very convincing performance as the wise dad, always on hand to calm his various cop-kids down when they get mouthy. A constant source of reason, it's fair to say he is the glue that holds the family together.
Next up there is Danny. An impulsive and hot headed, ex army detective played by Donnie Wahlberg. The old kid on the block gives a competent performance but his last movies were both Saw movies where he played, you guessed it, a detective so this wasn't really anything new for him. The ticking time bomb that is the gangster punching, water boarding Danny contrasts nicely with level headed, sensible, deputy District Attorney, Erin (played by Bridget Moynahan). They are constantly battling over the word of the law versus the law of Danny's fists. You don't quite believe them as brother and sister but they share some pretty interesting and fairly thought provoking dialogue on some weighty themes - usually over the weekly Sunday roast.
Finally there is Jamie (Will Estes), the youngest of the children and main characters (there is a granddad and various grandchildren including a completely unreasonable teenager - something new and different there!). He is an Ivy League graduate who joined the force as a rookie after the death of, yet another, brother.
The show is generally fast paced with a new crime being solved every episode but unlike other crime dramas this one asks for a little bit more investment. In amongst the crime solving there is the small matter of a mysterious secret police society known only as the Blue Templar. Jamie the rookie has been asked by the FBI to infiltrate the society which has links to various family members including Grandpa Reagan and Detective Danny. However, most significantly is the possible link to his brother's death. At the moment Jamie is still not quite sure if he wants to get involved. It's been on since the beginning of February and his reluctance is still going strong which leads me to think that the makers are in this for the long game. If the quality holds up is no bad thing.
All in all I've thoroughly enjoyed getting stuck in to this one and given that the drama is based in the metropolis of New York City I don't think the writers will run out of inspiration when it comes to crimes to solve anytime soon.
This show gives the best of both worlds, you could just tune in and enjoy some classic police action or you can choose to immerse yourself in the overriding story of police corruption, secret societies and the terrifying New York crime underbelly.
So sit back and enjoy as this one swallows up your free time, I promise you won't miss it a bit.
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