The Defenders Review

What I love about a new TV season is getting to sample new shows. It's a short time in which to choose one to watch and stick with it.

The name of this show is The Defenders. It's about two flashy Vegas defense attorneys who go to bat for their clients. That's the show's tag line. The Defenders is also these lawyers' slogan on the giant billboard ad we see in the very first episode. Compared to other courtroom dramas, this one is refreshing and classy.

Jim Belushi is Nick Morelli, a respected lawyer from Chicago recently separated from his wife. Having moved out of the family home, he misses that part of his life and wishes things would go back to normal. We see him struggling with the fact that he has to move on.

Jerry O'Connell is his young partner Pete Kaczmarek. Pete is brilliant but hotheaded. His passion for doing the right thing sometimes gets him into trouble inside and outside the courtroom. He is not without scruples. Pete had slept with the prosecution, coerced testimony, and slept with his client in order to secure a favourable outcome not always with satisfying results.

They are assisted by associate Lisa Tyler (Jurnee Smollett) and receptionist Zoey Waters (Tanya Fischer) who always seem to have connections.

Episode 1.03 Nevada v. Carter
Pete is forced to take an unwanted case after losing a hand of poker. When Pete desperately tries to wring the truth out of the accuser, he ends up in contempt of court. It's up to Nick to save his client.

Favourite moment:
When Pete realizes that he might lose, he yells at the alleged victim to tell the truth.

Rating: 8/10

Episode 1.04 Nevada v. Cerrata
Nick is ready to help his friend Vinny out in a simple arson case until he realizes his client could be convicted of murder when a body turns up dead. Meanwhile, Pete takes on a casino to help a lottery winner who owed them 6 million in unpaid debt.

Favorite moment:
Nick was ready to give up his license to help his friend out. Him convincing the real murderer to perjure in court to incriminate him.

Favorite quotes:
Pete: Where are my coconuty cakey things?
Nick: I fired them. The coconuty cakey things, the donuts, the pies are outta here. They are gone. Executive order. I'm on a diet.
Pete: All I am saying is a thinner Nick is an angry Nick. Eat something.

Rating: 9/10

Episode 1.05 Nevada v. Senator Harper
Nick and Pete defend a state senator in an ugly divorce case, when they learn that he has become a person of interest in the kidnapping and perhaps murder of a young staffer who happened to be his mistress. Meanwhile, Pete beds a seductive and thieving cabana girl, after he wins her case.

Favorite moments:
The judge asks Nick to approach the bench so she could ask him out for drinks.
Zoey successfully finding the staffer's ex-fiance while navigating through social networking sites.

Favorite quotes:
Nick: Someone ought to introduce Mister Cinto to a checking account. (Tossing wads of cash into a safe.)
Pete: If you hide 10 miles out of town, you are innocent. If you hide 75 miles, you have a dead body in your trunk.

Rating: 9/10

Strengths
It's got Vegas, mystery, courtroom drama, family, humour all roll into an hour.
This is a smart show. The law is believable and it's nice to see Nick and Pete go the distance for their clients without losing their morals. Belushi and O'Connell really compliment each other. It's Belushi at his best. It's worth watching.

Weaknesses
Having only watched four episodes so far, I haven't found any yet.