I know I watched this when it was on air but somehow watching it streaming as a sort of marathon makes it more powerful. Others have commented and disagreed on the acting also speculated why the show didn't last. I wanted to add my couple of cents. Simon Baker basically does play the same role in the Mentalist, (savior) but smiles and wins more hence the show not being canceled. In the Guardian, the hero does not always win, the ending is not always happy and the characters are always flawed. This might be too much for network TV. The theme song and introduction are obnoxious when compared with cable shows such as Dexter, Oz. Lulu's character is not written with as much depth as the others so its hard to fault the acting. I think the viewer felt a bit manipulated by the drawn out back and forth with Nick. Its always hard for writers to get over the hump of what to do with all that sexual tension. Just look at what happened to House. Dabney Coleman is brilliant in his intensity. This show has many shades of gray and is very much worth watching.
56 Reviews
The Fall Guy was The Standup Guy!
deneenmatthews-9190123 February 2018
Warning: Spoilers
I happened upon the Guardian and watched all three seasons over the past couple of weeks. I loved Simon Baker's character, Nick. He was the most honest of the bunch and my favorite, with Alan Rosenburg (Alvin) a close second.
Nick had faults and displayed behavior consistent with issues realistic based on his upbringing. While he was continuously the one everyone else used as the convenient fall-guy, he was the one who developed most in spite of the people who influenced him. I found him to be the most honest - accepting fault when it was his and honoring the consequences and those belonging to others as well.
I enjoyed that the show dealt with real life issues and created an awareness around subject matter relatable to all.
Now, the character I enjoyed the least.... Lulu. At times, I really thought she was "lulu." She was way too inconsistent and was always finger pointing, neglecting to see any of her own issues - of which she had many. I just felt that she seized every opportunity to beat the hell out of Nick. I am so tired of seeing her type cast throughout TV series - condescending, negative, bitter, and mean. Every time she spoke it was with a scowl on her face, like her upper lip was stinking. While I'm all for women who are strong and smart and on top of their careers, I''m over the cold suited props who every time they open their mouths, it's to hurt someone. She punished and punished and punished. I almost wish there was another season and Hollander let Nick move on... What would that look like? She used everything against him and never considered him.
Yes, he was wrong to sleep with that trashy chic in the office, and he knew that. At least he told her himself and took his punishment like a man. But it just went on and on with her. Alvin made great point that she was 50% of the relationship... but that didn't provoke any thought for her.
Her demeanor was fake, cold... She didn't add any value to the other characters. I'm usually a sucker for a love story, but near the end, I wanted him to run as far as he could from her. She was toxic.
Then, the pregnancy, proposal, and baby makes three (well, maybe one, because she, of course, was the only one that mattered). I couldn't understand why she worked in a humanitarian capacity, because her character was anything but... I was outdone! With all the miss-nose-up-in-the-air, she couldn't smell her own mess! She was messy, and tactless. She didn't want a man, she wanted a little boy and then was mad when that's what showed up. If the intent was to dislike her character... then it was a successful role. ARGH!!
The rest of the cast, played their roles well. Jake needed a good ole a-- whooping and Burton - no award recommendation for father of the year - but - he was consistent.
I loved the advocacy intention for "The Guardian." I was glad that Nick followed his heart in the end. I really wanted to see him become more self-accepting and develop further absent of the abusers around him, but Season 3... THE END!
The rest of the cast, played their roles well. Jake needed a good ole a-- whooping and Burton - no award recommendation for father of the year - but - he was consistent.
I loved the advocacy intention for "The Guardian." I was glad that Nick followed his heart in the end. I really wanted to see him become more self-accepting and develop further absent of the abusers around him, but Season 3... THE END!
great show
SnoopyStyle2 March 2021
Pittsburgh corporate lawyer Nick Fallin (Simon Baker) is arrested for drug possession. His father and boss Burton (Dabney Coleman) gets him off with 3 years probation and 1500 hours of community service working at the Children's Legal Services under Alvin Masterson (Alan Rosenberg). His cold-blooded money-centric personality clashes with the reality of his new work. Jake Straka (Raphael Sbarge), Louisa 'Lulu' Archer (Wendy Moniz-Grillo), James Mooney (Charles Malik Whitfield) are three of the other lawyers.
This is a great show. I love the lead character and Simon Baker's portrayal of the role. I like his selfishness melting away as he defends his small helpless clients. I actually dislike the change in the client pool. I'm guessing that it's a little more difficult to have too many child actors. Some of the younger performers get nominations over the years. For some of the more notable side characters, Farrah Fawcett and AJ Michalka have an interesting run. Will Ferrell gets shot in the head. Chloë Grace Moretz is even more diminutive in her first role. There are some more difficult episodes in the third and last season. They lose a lead character and the other characters all have some personal problems. I actually like the cases. It could have leaned into the legal procedural aspect. This lasted three seasons. I certainly could see more of this show. It's too bad that it got canceled.
This is a great show. I love the lead character and Simon Baker's portrayal of the role. I like his selfishness melting away as he defends his small helpless clients. I actually dislike the change in the client pool. I'm guessing that it's a little more difficult to have too many child actors. Some of the younger performers get nominations over the years. For some of the more notable side characters, Farrah Fawcett and AJ Michalka have an interesting run. Will Ferrell gets shot in the head. Chloë Grace Moretz is even more diminutive in her first role. There are some more difficult episodes in the third and last season. They lose a lead character and the other characters all have some personal problems. I actually like the cases. It could have leaned into the legal procedural aspect. This lasted three seasons. I certainly could see more of this show. It's too bad that it got canceled.
A pure CBS classic!
Catherine_Grace_Zeh20 July 2006
"THE GUARDIAN," in my opinion, is a pure CBS classic! I haven't seen every episode, but I still enjoyed it. However, I think it was always touching when a mishap occurred. I always felt deeply moved. It's hard to say which episode was my favorite. It would probably have to be the pilot. Despite the fact that it was a short-lived series, it would have been nice if all the main characters had stayed with the show throughout its entire run. It seems that no one stays with a show throughout its entire run. Everyone always gave a good performance, the production design was spectacular, the costumes were well-designed, and the writing was always very strong. In conclusion, I hope they bring it back on the air for fans of the show to see.
pretty good so far
mattkratz18 December 2001
This series has potential as a legal drama. The twist is that the main character has been busted for drug use and been sentenced to community service with children, making him look at things from a whole new light. The performances are good, and I like the premise. I might recommend this one if you like Simon Baker and Dabney Coleman.
What a wonderful show!
carol-9815110 June 2018
I just discovered this program on Amazon Prime. Don't know how I missed the original. One of the best series I have watched in years. The conflicts, the human aspects and the characters touch us all. Great writing - well done by all!
My only complaint was the "Lulu" character. I found her to be a narcissistic, insensitive, offensive and repulsive human being. Other viewers seem to like her character, but she did irritate me.
I would highly recommend this program. Enjoy!
My only complaint was the "Lulu" character. I found her to be a narcissistic, insensitive, offensive and repulsive human being. Other viewers seem to like her character, but she did irritate me.
I would highly recommend this program. Enjoy!
Intriguing, if a bit depressing
ctomvelu-124 May 2009
I have written here about this short-lived show in the past. Simon Baker is a perfect fit as the troubled son of a famous lawyer, played by Dabney Coleman of MARY HARTMAN fame. Because of some drug transgressions, the son, also a lawyer,must put in time at a child advocacy law firm. He also continues to work for his old man, and the two often do not see eye to eye. As time goes on in this show, things change: the father is up for a judgeship and the son starts his own law firm. Also, the son is hot for a lawyer at his father's firm, but alas, she loves another. The cases are usually intriguing, but the show is really about the father and son, and both actors pull off this thorny relationship with aplomb.There is an occasional soap opera aspect to the show, but it is kept to a minimum. Well worth watching, if a little depressing, as the son never seems to be able to stay out of trouble. It is not a lighthearted show and humor is basically nonexistent. Maybe that's why the show did not last longer than it did.
Love the show...hated Lulu
phoebe40421 September 2019
Very good show how'd I miss it
deniseactress3 March 2020
I'm in awe that this is the same actor who plays the Mentalist which is way more happy go lucky character. But the storyline of the contrasting world the main character lives in representing rich corporate clients vs the poor who need family service lawyers is a reminder of the haves and have nots and it's bleak to see. No wonder the main character barely cracks a smile.
Great show!
anucool4624 March 2017
What a great show!! Simon Baker has done an amazing job in this! I'd never get bored of watching this series! It's got everything - drama, romance, angst and much more, but the best thing about this series is the character - Nick Fallin and the superb portrayal by Simon Baker. I enjoyed watching his character grow from Season 1 - 3. Miss this series, it had a great story line. One of Simon's best performances till date :)
The plot lines are interesting but the main characters are lacking
courtneyjjjjjjjj27 December 2022
Warning: Spoilers
I recently rewatched this series because I've always had fond memories. However now that I'm older there's definitely some glaring issues.
The Good: The stories about the clients of Legal Services are very interesting and basically carry the show. The corporate law stories are ok too but not as engaging. And I particularly like that our protagonist doesn't always win.
The Bad:
And the difference in the character's behaviour between when he's with Lulu alone and all other times is quite stark. It's like two totally different people which makes the character feel inconsistent.
Is the series worth a watch? Sure. But of similar shows of it's time about justice (e.g. Judging Amy) it falls short.
The Good: The stories about the clients of Legal Services are very interesting and basically carry the show. The corporate law stories are ok too but not as engaging. And I particularly like that our protagonist doesn't always win.
The Bad:
- The character of Nick Fallin overall. Now I attribute this to the writing rather than Simon Baker's acting chops. But the character is just so wooden. He VERY rarely has an emotional reaction to anything. Now this could work if every so often the character lost control and confronts his feelings, but that RARELY happens. I mean the man can't even tell his father that he's pissed because his dad was a terrible parent to him but a wonderful one to his foster daughter.
And the difference in the character's behaviour between when he's with Lulu alone and all other times is quite stark. It's like two totally different people which makes the character feel inconsistent.
- There is ZERO chemistry between Baker and Moniz (Nick and Lulu). It's just... not there. Every romantic scene between them is AWKWARD and they just take weird big strides in their relationship (e.g. Moving in together) without laying any of the character development beforehand.
Is the series worth a watch? Sure. But of similar shows of it's time about justice (e.g. Judging Amy) it falls short.
What a Gem !
vickiswanson8 February 2021
Have only just come across this marvellous series on 7Plus in Australia. Apart from the perfect eye candy on both Simon Baker and Dabney Coleman, the storylines are great, the acting seriously good. Made in 2001 -2004 it's limited with todays technology like computers and iPhones, they play a part but it is minimal, not sure where I was going with that one, but overall it is really great, no F words but loads of sincere, emotion acting. Never saw the Mentalist with Simon but wow, I am certainly a new fan of this young actor (now 51 apparently ! ) written feb 2021 Aust.
1992 or wait...not 1992?
allenjessica12 March 2022
Not sure how we got addicted and binge watched the entire 3 years that felt like 10. I had to look up the show because everything about it screamed 1992, but then they had cell phones. Maybe it's a generational thing. Maybe Philadelphia is 10-15 years behind. I know TV is just entertainment, but it always bugs me when they stretch reality a bit too far in a show that's meant to more on the realistic side, and this show did that about every 5 minutes. I also felt the characters weren't consistent in their actions and behaviors at all.
How Different From The Mentalist
fixit-046697 October 2015
I am left with much sadness after watching the entire series. Simon Baker has such a great smile, unfortunately I didn't get to see much of it here. Nick's casual drug use results in slow death for his high-profile law career as community service hours make it impossible to keep up. No human could keep up that pace. Although he is often called "a great lawyer" you almost never see any positive outcomes from his work at his father's firm. He is sullen, moody, non- communicative. Almost without exception his interactions are awkward. You just want to grab him and shake him up. Eventually he gets rejected by everyone. Is it his fault? In this way he is much like the rejected, abused, damaged children whom he represents in the courtroom.
Nick's interactions with women were often dreadful. I had such hopes for Lulu but she was never able to penetrate his walls. I also liked Nick's policewoman lover, but that promising storyline went nowhere. His final office dalliance did nothing but harm for all involved.
In the end, about the only positive thing about Nick was that he was sometimes able to help his young clients. Ultimately a very depressing series. Fortunately the Mentalist gave Simon's personality an opportunity to flash that smile and exhibit some warmth.
Nick's interactions with women were often dreadful. I had such hopes for Lulu but she was never able to penetrate his walls. I also liked Nick's policewoman lover, but that promising storyline went nowhere. His final office dalliance did nothing but harm for all involved.
In the end, about the only positive thing about Nick was that he was sometimes able to help his young clients. Ultimately a very depressing series. Fortunately the Mentalist gave Simon's personality an opportunity to flash that smile and exhibit some warmth.
This show has a unique and refreshing feel and look
leseferguson20 August 2002
The pace of each episode is unusual giving lots of pregnant pauses after each clause of very well written and realistic dialogue. The characters are very flawed and real and I really enjoy the juggling of the legal aid clinic and big corperate law. They have 2 stories in one show that reflect sometimes on each other giving us more occasions to think about the world that the show is based on. The lack of phyisical contact with Nik and clients really increased the tension. You know he wants to hug those kids. Also Dabney Coleman gives a stellar performance of your chain smoking aging corperate lawyer who has many regrets in his life but also really enjoys his job. I could go on and on but Kudos to the producers of this show and keep up the good work.
Solid Show With Great Writing
julrich-8988615 May 2020
I started watching this after I finished The Mentalist and really enjoy Simon Baker's acting. The show has very interesting and though provoking stories which hooked me from the first episode, and the only thing I don't like about the show is the horrendous theme music.
The Guardian
jerryjeff1 January 2014
One of the best TV series I have ever seen. Best watched in binge mode for full appreciation of the subtle progression and change of the characters. Beautifully acted and written - like a fantastic novel you cannot put down. Really compelling because of the hugely varied types of people and characters that appear. For every beauty there is a leather-faced craggy guy, for every slick lawyer, there is a schlubby counterpart - the endless variety in the casting was fascinating, and they all threw each other into relief in such a cool way. Glad that in spite of being cancelled, it was beautifully wrapped up. Thanks, Mr. Hollander, for this great series.
The Real Life Issues This Drama Raises Hooks You
ohwell-2442227 March 2021
I by no means am TV/Movie critic.
I am retired educator/coach of over 37 years in a school district that had the highest amount of low income/minority students in the county, I found this show more than powerful as one reviewer stated . I was emotionally drawn in to every episode due to the drama at their legal defense office. I thought the acting by some of the regulars was sometimes lacking but the characters of Nick, Lulu, and Burton (Simon Baker, Wendy Moniz, Dabney Coleman) were outstanding. Being retired my wife and I watch a lot of TV and this series on Hulu was one of our most satisfying watches so far. We kept asking ourselves how we missed it when it aired in 2001? There haven't' been too many shows over the years that I became so evolved with the characters as The Guardian. The writing/creation by David Hollander is top notch in highlighting family/social problems of our society and the lack of equitable legal help for the poor and indigent. Comments on IMBD say that Hollander's brother - A social worker was his inspiration for his creation.
All I can say is CBS's current programing lineup can't come close to The Guardian.
You won't be disappointed and you will be sorry when it ends.
I am retired educator/coach of over 37 years in a school district that had the highest amount of low income/minority students in the county, I found this show more than powerful as one reviewer stated . I was emotionally drawn in to every episode due to the drama at their legal defense office. I thought the acting by some of the regulars was sometimes lacking but the characters of Nick, Lulu, and Burton (Simon Baker, Wendy Moniz, Dabney Coleman) were outstanding. Being retired my wife and I watch a lot of TV and this series on Hulu was one of our most satisfying watches so far. We kept asking ourselves how we missed it when it aired in 2001? There haven't' been too many shows over the years that I became so evolved with the characters as The Guardian. The writing/creation by David Hollander is top notch in highlighting family/social problems of our society and the lack of equitable legal help for the poor and indigent. Comments on IMBD say that Hollander's brother - A social worker was his inspiration for his creation.
All I can say is CBS's current programing lineup can't come close to The Guardian.
You won't be disappointed and you will be sorry when it ends.
One of the best series I ever watchd!
mahgamelmi9 June 2021
I just wonder how it is not that popular! The only complain I have is with Lulu.
She is a narcist, only thinking of herself. I hated her from the first. There was absolutely no mercy in her. She couldn't forgive, neither Brian or Nick or her parents for that matter. I just hated her charachter. I believe Nich deserved a lot better.
She is a narcist, only thinking of herself. I hated her from the first. There was absolutely no mercy in her. She couldn't forgive, neither Brian or Nick or her parents for that matter. I just hated her charachter. I believe Nich deserved a lot better.
Inconsistent writing & lots of darkness
kgirl-8332716 September 2018
Warning: Spoilers
I just recently watched this series on Amazon Prime. I made it through 2 seasons and was going to stop, though a friend said the 3rd season was better so I finally watched it all.
I agree with others that the focus on the community services situations were very interesting and well done. The best parts of the show.
And I did enjoy the development of the relationship between Nick and his dad, Burton. I liked the storyline with Burton and the girl he tries to adopt. Both Baker and Colemen did nice work.
But I often felt writing was subpar. Storylines often felt weak or unfinished. Major plot lines just stopped - characters just disappeared. What? That same unevenness also showed up in how key characters behaved at times, which I found unsatisfying. For me, this was a key downfall of the show.
As written, the Lulu character especially blew hot and cold - in an inexplicable way. By the end of season 3 I felt she appeared more uncaring, selfish, and manipulative than the Nick character ever was supposed to be. Very unsatisfying.
OTOH, the way Nick's character was written, I often wondered if he had Aspergers or something - lacking social skills, an inability to properly communicate his emotions, and a consistently flat affect. To me, that explained his character's uneven behavior. Lulu's just made no sense to me, and made many episodes unsatisfying. Like discordant music.
The show also has few moments of joy or happiness. Even hard dramas, like this show, need moments that make you smile or at last feel hope for the characters. Didn't happen much in this show. No balance. I read someplace that Baker didn't really like working on this show. Considering his nickname as a kid was "Smiley", and he rarely gets to smile in this show, that makes sense.
However, after all that whining, I still think it was an interesting show to watch. There was some fine acting despite some of the writing. And a few fun casting gems -like seeing Chris Pine before he was famous featured as a former foster kid who is a liar and thief.
Best Drama Currently on Network Television
yellowstone31 May 2003
The Guardian is hands down the best drama currently on television. It's amazing to me how Simon Baker has never won an Emmy for his portrayal of Nick Fallin - the ex cocaine addict who's forced to put in 1600 hours of community service as a child advocate for the legal aid services center in Pittsburgh. This is in addition to being a principal partner in his father's corporate law firm. Watching Nick run from the courtroom to the board room (and occasionally the bedroom) and back again with nary a moment to gather his thoughts can leave the viewer exhausted by the end of the show but this is also part of its appeal. We can feel Nick's stress and associate it with our own harried lives.
None of the central characters on this show are without their flaws - Nick is often aloof and emotionless - caring more about corporate mergers than whether or not he is best serving the interests of those he defends during his community service. He rarely gives his downtrodden, legal aid clients a second thought once he has finished representing them. His father, brilliantly played by the veteran character actor Dabney Coleman can also be abrasive, manipulative, callous and, as the second season finale graphically showed also violent and dangerously obsessed with a twelve year old girl he took in as a foster child. The interaction (or lack thereof) between the two, neither whom is able to really show their true feelings towards one another is often painful to watch.
The rest of the cast with the exception of Wendy Muniz are all expertly cast. Charles Malik Whitfield as James Mooney, the ex gang member who has escaped the ghetto to become a lawyer for the legal aid group is both menacing and heroic at the same time. One powerfull episode has him almost beating to death a young black man who he has been told caused the death of his troubled nephew. He later discovers that this person was innocent and must deal with how to come to terms with almost killing and disfiguring an innocent man. Raphael Sbarge as Jake Straka, another success driven lawyer at Nick's firm, makes us think of all the lawyers we have known who can barely give us the time of day unless the reward is large enough. Alan Rosenberg who plays Alvin Masterson, the director of the clinic, tries to keep the chaos controllable even while fighting his own demons which include an unhealthy weakness for some of his former female clients. Only Wendy Muniz fails to convince in her role as Lulu Archer, another one of the legal aid lawyers. The series' writers seem unable to decide whether she should be a foil to Nick or just another lovesick conquest. Their romantic scenes together lack passion or chemistry and often seem contrived.
All in all though this is a thoughtful, powerful, and at times, emotionally brutal show. Enjoy it while you can - it's sure to be short lived.
None of the central characters on this show are without their flaws - Nick is often aloof and emotionless - caring more about corporate mergers than whether or not he is best serving the interests of those he defends during his community service. He rarely gives his downtrodden, legal aid clients a second thought once he has finished representing them. His father, brilliantly played by the veteran character actor Dabney Coleman can also be abrasive, manipulative, callous and, as the second season finale graphically showed also violent and dangerously obsessed with a twelve year old girl he took in as a foster child. The interaction (or lack thereof) between the two, neither whom is able to really show their true feelings towards one another is often painful to watch.
The rest of the cast with the exception of Wendy Muniz are all expertly cast. Charles Malik Whitfield as James Mooney, the ex gang member who has escaped the ghetto to become a lawyer for the legal aid group is both menacing and heroic at the same time. One powerfull episode has him almost beating to death a young black man who he has been told caused the death of his troubled nephew. He later discovers that this person was innocent and must deal with how to come to terms with almost killing and disfiguring an innocent man. Raphael Sbarge as Jake Straka, another success driven lawyer at Nick's firm, makes us think of all the lawyers we have known who can barely give us the time of day unless the reward is large enough. Alan Rosenberg who plays Alvin Masterson, the director of the clinic, tries to keep the chaos controllable even while fighting his own demons which include an unhealthy weakness for some of his former female clients. Only Wendy Muniz fails to convince in her role as Lulu Archer, another one of the legal aid lawyers. The series' writers seem unable to decide whether she should be a foil to Nick or just another lovesick conquest. Their romantic scenes together lack passion or chemistry and often seem contrived.
All in all though this is a thoughtful, powerful, and at times, emotionally brutal show. Enjoy it while you can - it's sure to be short lived.
BEST SHOW EVER on television.
taratree12313 September 2012
I have never wanted to watch more than a few episodes of anything on TV-- The Guardian is my one exception...I watched all three seasons of The Guardian this summer (on Netflix). The Guardian is simply a superb show on many levels. The writing is forceful, believable, and basically brilliant. Kudos to the writers for excellent dialog and story lines! The casting and acting too was excellent...I loved each and every character. They are interesting, complex, sometimes confused, but always believable. My highest praise for the actors! I will miss them and the characters they portrayed with great skill and consistency. All the rest was great as well--including the sets, the music (perfect!)the editing, and the ending. Bravo for a fantastic show to all who were involved--I truly can't imagine a better show than The Guardian. I miss it already!
How did I miss this?
Wiedinger-283-95384323 December 2018
critical appraisal
rajshori11 December 2018
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