Seriously, the writers/producers' creation of the 2 main characters in this show defies (in a very good way :-) ) the ubiquitous practice of populating cop shows with stereotypical characters interacting in stereotypical ways, including gender-wise. This creation reminds me of the uniqueness of Angelina Jolie's character in Salt" :-) (Spoiler alert! Don't scroll down past the end of my review of this show, if you don't want to know ;-) ) McDonald & Dodds are also complex characters, with interesting backstories and present lives :-)
The only reason why I am giving the show 8 stars instead of 9 (gotta save "10" for some future work of magnificence ;-) ) is
(GIANT SPOILER ALERT!!! Scroll down to keep reading :-) )
that the second episode perpetuates harmful myths about addiction. Extensive research conducted over the past 50+ years, in a diversity of world locales, has demonstrated that the core beliefs of 12-step programs (s/as AA) are false. (That makes sense, given that the beliefs stem from the assumptions made in the 1950s by a man who had zero knowledge re addiction, other than his own personal experience. No research, nothing.) For one thing, addiction is not a disease. Addiction is a symptom of untreated psychological damage, damage caused by trauma. Obtaining and participating in therapy for the trauma can help an addict no longer be one; they need not be an addict for life. They are NOT powerless to overcome addiction. (Just 1 reference of many for the truth of this: Dr. Gabor Maté.)
In Salt. Angelina Jolie occupies the role perennially given to male actors; that makes the movie :-) . (Starring a male, "Salt" would have been yet another formulaic, stereotypical male -centric, "adventure" movie.)
The only reason why I am giving the show 8 stars instead of 9 (gotta save "10" for some future work of magnificence ;-) ) is
(GIANT SPOILER ALERT!!! Scroll down to keep reading :-) )
that the second episode perpetuates harmful myths about addiction. Extensive research conducted over the past 50+ years, in a diversity of world locales, has demonstrated that the core beliefs of 12-step programs (s/as AA) are false. (That makes sense, given that the beliefs stem from the assumptions made in the 1950s by a man who had zero knowledge re addiction, other than his own personal experience. No research, nothing.) For one thing, addiction is not a disease. Addiction is a symptom of untreated psychological damage, damage caused by trauma. Obtaining and participating in therapy for the trauma can help an addict no longer be one; they need not be an addict for life. They are NOT powerless to overcome addiction. (Just 1 reference of many for the truth of this: Dr. Gabor Maté.)
In Salt. Angelina Jolie occupies the role perennially given to male actors; that makes the movie :-) . (Starring a male, "Salt" would have been yet another formulaic, stereotypical male -centric, "adventure" movie.)