Justice - Pilot - 8/30/06 - Spoilers Allowed

[tewcewl]

I just got done watching the show. I didn't know much about this except that Victor Garber was on there (loved him in Alias!). I was impressed, even with Kerr Smith in the show.

I loved the device of showing what actually happened at the end. I hope they continue doing that for the duration of the show.

[Chapper1]

Excellent show. I also liked that they showed how she really died. They did that with a show a couple years ago. It was one that they showed a jury deliberation and decision and then ended with what really happened so you could see if they got it right.

Victor Garber is excellent in this. Looks like Bruckheimer may have another hit!!

SP set!!

[JohnH59]

I may need more TiVo's for this season. There may be quite a few new shows that are pretty good. Justice was much better than I thought.

[Chapper1]

This also conflicts with Lost, but I have a feeling my wife will like this one so at least I can record in the living room.

[Rob Helmerichs]

Heh. For some reason, I thought this was one of the (many) year-long story series. So as they raced through the case, I was thinking, "Jeez, how are they going to fill the rest of the season?!?" Then, about halfway through, I realized it was a done-in-one show.

Garber was great--the anti-Jack. I hope the reveal at the end doesn't become gimmicky...

This is a keeper, for now at least. We'll see what happens when the rest of the herd comes thundering along. Kudos to Fox, however, for giving us a chance to check out their shows before everything gets lost in the thundering herd.

[Chapper1]

This is a keeper, for now at least. We'll see what happens when the rest of the herd comes thundering along. Kudos to Fox, however, for giving us a chance to check out their shows before everything gets lost in the thundering herd.

Totally agree! Even though Vanished is so-so, this one should really benefit from starting early.

[terpfan1980]

Was hoping for a good one with this series and thus far I think it'll be a keeper. Definitely enjoyed Garber. Disagree a bit with Rob above, the character here reminded me a good bit of Jack, which is what I was somewhat hoping for.

[Rob Helmerichs]

Disagree a bit with Rob above, the character here reminded me a good bit of Jack, which is what I was somewhat hoping for.
Really?!? He showed more expression before the opening credits than he did in five years of Alias! Even when he was angry, where Jack would just give a dangerously blank stare, Ron snarls and scowls and even foams a little.

[Chapper1]

Watching him lose it when that doctor for their side was using those Latin terms was great.

[Werd2406]

GREAT show. I put it as one of my favorites before it started but it even beat MY expectations. The see what really happened is one of my favorite parts...They did do it a few years ago with "The Jury" but that show was boring due to the fact it only concentrated on the jury.... This is a definate season pass.

[vertigo235]

I liked it

[tewcewl]

Really?!? He showed more expression before the opening credits than he did in five years of Alias! Even when he was angry, where Jack would just give a dangerously blank stare, Ron snarls and scowls and even foams a little.

I'd have to agree with Rob here. It was nice to see Garber "let loose" here. I've got a feeling he's having fun here and it translates well on the screen. Definitely set a SP for this show.

[johnperkins21]

Wow, I'm kind of surprised to see that so many people liked it. It felt poorly acted, and overly dramatic to me. It also seems to suffer from MTV Director disease, in that every scene has a push or quick-cut in it. Granted, I missed the first 15 minutes, but that foreman took forever to give the verdict.

I'll wait to pass my judgement until the next episode, as I did like the premise and the fact that they show what really happened at the end. I just hope whoever they have directing the next episode is taking their A.D.D. medicine.

[TiVoDan]

I thought it was an excellent series. It had great interaction between the characters, was well paced, and had just enough focus on the facts of the case to make it interesting. In other words Fox will cancel it within the next 4 weeks

Burn in Hell Fox!!!!!

[Rob Helmerichs]

Now, now. Pre-emptive BiHF's aren't allowed.

[mgk]

its a keeper for now =)

[newsposter]

was it conviction or evidence that this is a rip off of? It literally seemed like a re-do of some show I watched in the past.

I wonder if that TV crime show will be an intergral part of every show. one time, i can deal. But not every single time. Or in the big city do lawyers really go on TV like this?

Does the simultaneous jury running in the remote location during the trial really happen?

i still wished we had seen a watermelon

[Chapper1]

Does the simultaneous jury running in the remote location during the trial really happen?


In some high profile cases, this does occur. In one of my legal classes, the instructor described them and they seemed right on point on the show. But it is very expensive to do, as you need to pay the people what their time is worth, not the pittance they get for actual jury duty. And depending on the length of trial and such, it gets crazy expensive.

[dimented]

Damn. I missed this, forgot all about it somehow. Are they doing a replay?

[cwoody222]

Eh. I thought it was good but there's no reason for me to watch every week. I'll watch when I can or when nothing conflicts but I see no urgency to never miss an episode.

[TIVO_GUY_HERE]

Damn. I missed this, forgot all about it somehow. Are they doing a replay?

You know you can check this on your TiVo

[danterner]

I wonder if that TV crime show will be an intergral part of every show.

Given that the reporter's last name was "Fulcrum" I suspect she'll wind up being a pretty important part of the series. The point of this first episode seemed to be that public perception hinges on media. It'd be odd (and, to me, disappointing) if they hammer that point in the first episode but then drop it in future ones.

[newsposter]

In some high profile cases, this does occur. In one of my legal classes, the instructor described them and they seemed right on point on the show. But it is very expensive to do, as you need to pay the people what their time is worth, not the pittance they get for actual jury duty. And depending on the length of trial and such, it gets crazy expensive.

that's very interesting indeed. All i could think about is at least 10/hour per juror per (6?) of the shows they ran.

i know the guy was rich...but wow...that adds up..I know what my cases have run and they were all minor

[bonscott87]

Not a bad show at all to start. It gets a season pass. Conflicts in season are going to kill me, good thing I have the new HR20 on it's way, I'll just keep my regular DirecTivo in service for a while.

Just remember with Fox: They have to cancel at least 1 of these new shows to make room for American Idol come January. I think Fox tends to just toss things up on wall to see what sticks. :D

[newsposter]

what shows go on more than 13 anymore anyway ;)

[tewcewl]

Given that the reporter's last name was "Fulcrum" I suspect she'll wind up being a pretty important part of the series. The point of this first episode seemed to be that public perception hinges on media. It'd be odd (and, to me, disappointing) if they hammer that point in the first episode but then drop it in future ones.
From what I've read, the TV is one of the "main characters" of the show, so I don't think they will drop this perspective any time soon.

[Joeg180]

I liked it. I knew about the showing of how the case began was at the end. In one of the commercials they showed the husband looking back as the wife came out of the pool, he had a weird look on his face. When they showed the event I thought for sure you would see him commit the crime.

It keeps it SP for now.

I liked the cast, especially the Ron Trott (Garber) character.

[jeff125va]

Anyone know if they're going to show the pilot again for people like me who forgot to set up the SP? I saw that they re-aired the pilot of Vanished and are going to re-air the first two episodes of Vanished again tomorrow night, so I'd be surprised if they're not, but I can't find it in the listings anywhere.

[jschuur]

i know the guy was rich...but wow...that adds up..I know what my cases have run and they were all minor
Incredible, the amount of money this guy had to pay just to prove he was not guilty.

I guess he doesn't have any recourse to recoup the legal costs in a capital case, right?

[ElJay]

I really liked this show, but I'm afraid it may get the same treatment as Fox's "The Jury" ... (Though I think this is probably going to be a better show than "The Jury." I would love to see Barry Levinson play a judge again!)

Victor Garber is always interesting to watch so that's what intially lured me to the show.

[Glued2TiVo]

I did enjoy this show, but I think that Victor Garber has done better acting before. This is one of those shows that has GREAT potential, but like stated before, FOX will probably cancel it. I do like it though! :up:

[lambertman]

Crackpot prediction:

Bones and Justice switch timeslots after the baseball break.

[bicker]

We had no intention of watching this show. With Lost and Criminal Minds, that time-slot was full, as far as we were concerned. Well, Lost and Criminal Minds haven't started yet, so we watched. We're hooked. It seems clear that this is a winner.

[newsposter]

Incredible, the amount of money this guy had to pay just to prove he was not guilty.

I guess he doesn't have any recourse to recoup the legal costs in a capital case, right?

I dont think any defendant ever gets any money back in criminal cases...that's why the 'people' always have an advantage over us

I really liked this show, but I'm afraid it may get the same treatment as Fox's "The Jury".

ah so it was the jury? I thought conviction or evidence but can't keep them all straight. Yes this is a direct knock off of that. Wonder how many times they can reuse this premise in a show? Is the same guy writing all these?

[Johnny Dazzle]

Wow. I'm stunned. I hated this show. Really, really hated it. This show belongs on the Disney Channel with levels of overacting not seen since "That's So Raven". How many times in one show can somebody use the line "I'm a defense attorney!!! This is what I do!!!"

Victor Garber gave more intensity on Alias with just a look than he did shouting his dialogue on this horrible, horrible program. Just terrible.

[jacobp]

I have to agree with the comments about the over-acting. Give me a break. I'm an attorney in a large national law firm and I've practiced with many big ego, big time attorneys and none of them have ever acted like the characters we see in this show.

Having said that I enjoyed the show until they got to trial. The stunts by each attorney never and I mean NEVER would be allowed in a capital murder case. But the topper was when the woman attorney put on her expert. She was testifying and he was simply saying "that's right." A first year law student could tell you that that could never happen... it's called leading the witness and in a real courtroom the opposing counsel and judge would not let her get the first words out of her mouth before shutting her down. And let's not forget all of the objections that were made and the judge never ruled. The trial scenes were preposterous.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not one of those that doesn't understand that this is TV and I am more than willing to suspend disbelief but at least they should make the trial somewhat realistic and within bounds of our judicial system.. after all the show is called "Justice."

[Rob Helmerichs]

I was also amused that one of the prosecution witnesses (the cop) apparently spent the entire trial sitting at the prosecution table!

I took it more as a dramatic fantasy than a documentary on the justice system...on that level, it worked just fine.

[Fl_Gulfer]

I also thought it was way overacted, I never liked Garber anyway but I'll watch till CM and Lost come back.

[tewcewl]

I dont think any defendant ever gets any money back in criminal cases...that's why the 'people' always have an advantage over us

That sucks. Going broke just to prove your innocence.

[AJRitz]

That sucks. Going broke just to prove your innocence.
Happens all the time. I know of at least one case where a guy was falsely accused of molesting his stepdaughter (long, long story - not really the point here). He was ultimately found not guilty at trial. But he'd spent every dime he had to his name on his defense AND his parents had taken out a second mortgage on their farm to pay his defense costs.

[MamaKAS]

Wow. I'm stunned. I hated this show. Really, really hated it. This show belongs on the Disney Channel with levels of overacting not seen since "That's So Raven". How many times in one show can somebody use the line "I'm a defense attorney!!! This is what I do!!!"

Victor Garber gave more intensity on Alias with just a look than he did shouting his dialogue on this horrible, horrible program. Just terrible.


Agreed. We gave up about half way through and canceled the SP.

[dmaneyapanda]

i also thought it was overacted and that the dialogue was pretty over explanatory. the "action" and trickery was OK. I expected more, but didn't hate it. I'll probably give it a few more shots before deciding.

[EMoMoney]

Totally agree! Even though Vanished is so-so, this one should really benefit from starting early.
Does Fox have the MLB playoffs this season? If so that is the primarty reason they start their new shows early. I don't think they could afford to introduce all of the new fall lineup in mid October.

As for the show, My wife and I loved it. Victor Garber is a great actor.

[etemple]

I liked the pilot, but I didn't like the female lawyer.
She's very stiff and just seems rather robotic.
I also couldn't shake the feeling that I had seen her somewhere before--either angel or buffy or charmed as a demon or monster of some kind . . . charmed I think.

I also recognized the reporter, who played Tom Cavanaugh's sister in Love Monkey, and figured she'd be important . . .

I liked the ending, but I didn't like how the show chaser made it seem like the client was guilty with their, "see what *really* happened" line and then cut to him with a very sinister grin on his face. . .

but all in all, loved victor garber, loved Kerr Smith, and will keep watching.

[jschuur]

I liked the ending, but I didn't like how the show chaser made it seem like the client was guilty with their, "see what *really* happened" line and then cut to him with a vry sinister grin on his face. . .
This was one of the main reasons I ultimately decide not to start a SP.

I know, I know. Every network does it.

[etemple]

it really irritated me, but I'm trying not to be made at the show just because fox execs SUCK.

[jschuur]

In all fairness, I don't watch a lot of procedurals, so the odds were stacked against the show for me anyway. The teaser misdirect just tipped the scales.

[Werd2406]

The thing is....if they did make it so that the husband did do it, everyone would be bitching that "THE TEASERS GAVE IT AWAY!!!"

[jschuur]

Exactly. Which is why they should have left it out altogether.

Why bother with a teaser 20 minutes before the end of an episode that I'm already watching? If you're afraid I'll tune out, just make the show interesting enough without resorting to gimmicks.

[bicker]

I think some people over-estimate the extent to which their own personal proclivities parallels that of the vast majority of people. If you want television crafted just for you, you'll be repeatedly disappointed. Good luck with that! :)

[efilippi]

Would the prosecution really be allowed to show a simulated video of the crime as depicted here? It seems highly inflammatory and only tenuously tied to introduced evidence.

[MauriAnne]

I enjoyed it.. but maybe just because it was new and I'm getting anxious for the fall premiers. SP for now..

[TivoFan]

Wow! Way over the top. And way too musicvideo-y. Just slow down and tell a compelling story. This felt like a show made for kids who need ritalin.

Watched about 15 minutes, fast forwarded through the rest. Cancelled the season pass.

[atrac]

I have to agree with the haters. I thought it was terrible. My co-workers asked if I had watched it yet and I told them I hadn't but it was on TiVo. They said "oh you have to watch it! It's really good."

Perhaps that setup caused too much of a buildup in my mind, because I deleted it after about 15 minutes. And I did for the same reasons the other haters have already pointed out. :(

The unaired episodes of "Just Legal" that the WB has surprisingly been showing on Sunday nights have been a lot more enjoyable for me. That was a show that was axed waaaay too soon.

[super dave]

I didn't hate it, but I can't see watching all season long. It seems it would get old and ponderous.

[tewcewl]

I didn't hate it, but I can't see watching all season long. It seems it would get old and ponderous.
I actually see this show as the type that would change tones, styles rather easily. I don't think they'll stick with the same thing week in/out.