Homicide: Life on the Street (TV Series) Three Men and Adena (1993) User Reviews

She cried and she died

[petra_ste · 10/10 · 15 September 2007]

Three Men and Adena is a masterpiece. Tense, gripping and realistic, it's a pivotal moment in the series: rookie Tim Bayliss (Kyle Secor, an excellent and underrated actor I'd like to see even now that his glorious Homicide days are behind) and his partner Frank Pembleton (charismatic Andre Braugher) interrogate Risley Tucker (Moses Gunn, in a brilliantly understated performance), the main suspect of the murder of young Adena Watson, Bayliss' first case. The whole episode focuses on the psychological duel between the two cops and the suspect.

At first, the detectives' cooperation is ineffective. Each of them is basically conducting his own interrogation, with different methods, and hindering the other; Tucker is uncomfortable and subdued, but quiet.

Then, Bayliss and Pembleton find the right chemistry and, in a mesmerizing duet, have the suspect in a corner.

But, at the end, the seemingly simple-minded Tucker turns the table on them.

Writing is superb. There are moments in which you believe they got the wrong man, and others in which you are sure Tucker committed the heinous crime.

Performances are fabulous. Braugher and Secor have an amazing chemistry; Gunn is memorably enigmatic as Tucker.

Sheer brilliance, one of the finest hours of television ever.

10/10

This episode blew me away.

[HomicideWireShield · 10/10 · 16 January 2012]

After The Wire ended in 2008, I was immediately desperate to find quality entertainment to occupy my TV time. Being a huge David Simon fan, I looked for anything he was associated with. I am ashamed to say that it was only then that I became familiar with Homicide: Life on the Street. I find it hard believe that this wasn't on my radar in the 90s. Yes, there were plenty of great television shows during that era but I honestly can't think of one that tops this series.

The series has a plethora of riveting episodes but this one really stands out. The writing and direction is absolutely fantastic. As another reviewer pointed out, this episode (and series as a whole) definitely set the standard for many current television dramas. It would be a disservice not to mention the acting. All of the principal actors are superb and each get a chance to shine in any respective episode. Andre Braugher and Kyle Secor truly shine in this episode. A brilliant performance is also given by guest star Moses Gunn.

This episode got it all started

[Pocketplayer · 10/10 · 16 June 2011]

Agree 100% with the other review.

If you're a fan of TV drama, this one episode set the mark for the next 20 years. Look at the best shows on TV--they are mostly on cable like The Wire, Breaking Bad, and The Killing to name a few. Go back 18 years and this episode explored the depth we see today. It must have blown viewers out of their couches in 1993!

Do yourself a favor and get this on DVD. Sit back and watch how we see TV drama. The experiment with the quick editing is in its raw form and can be annoying at time, but this was a new experiment at the time. It had to be perfected.

Amazing

[craig_nwa · 10/10 · 3 February 2021]

This episode wow truly amazing the integration was truly amazing and old fashioned cop homicide life on the street is one of the best tv shows in the world

A Riveting Masterpiece

[xenn032 · 10/10 · 29 June 2023]

Three Men and Adena is a classic episode of Homicide: Life on the Street that is widely considered to be one of the best hours of television ever made. The episode follows the detectives as they investigate the murder of a young girl, and it features a tour-de-force performance by Moses Gunn as the prime suspect.

The episode is beautifully written and directed, and it features some of the most intense and emotionally resonant scenes in the show's history. The interrogation scenes between Bayliss and Pembleton and the suspect are particularly memorable, and they are some of the most powerful examples of police procedural drama ever put on television.

The episode also features some excellent performances from the rest of the cast, including Andre Braugher, Kyle Secor, and Daniel Baldwin. However, it is Gunn's performance that truly steals the show. He brings a deep humanity and complexity to the role of Risley Tucker, and he makes the viewer feel empathy for a character who is, on the surface, a monster.

It is a must-see for fans of crime dramas, character studies, and simply great television.

Wow

[Ahmad-Mohammad · 10/10 · 21 October 2020]

Wow, a great episode. The pressure in the interrogation rooms on the defendants was evident in this episode, the dialogues and the tricks were very elaborate

The best episode in TV history imo

[kattroitsk · 10/10 · 20 July 2023]

I truly believe this episode is one of the best, if not the best in all television history. I rewatched it dozens of times since 90s, and it did age well.

The script, the acting, the drama, it's all there.

I wish they got all the Emmys possible back in nineties. So very happy Andre Braugher got one for his performance as Frank Pembleton.

Everything that came after was born from here.

Sadly, Homicide: life on the street is one terribly underrated show which truly was ahead of its time.

You can tell where the Wire's roots are from.

If you want to fall in love with these series, start with "Three men and Adena", it is not to be missed.

WOW!!!

[sarah_sle · 10/10 · 6 March 2024]

No words can describe the emotions that were rendered watching this episode!! From high to low, from guilty to not, from disbelief to indifference, from disgust to sympathy! By the end I was tearful and exhausted! I don't think I have watched anything in my 52 years as emotional as this episode in any series or movie. Absolutely the best acting I have ever seen! Hands down! I didn't watch this show in the 80s, but I sure am glad I have fallen into it now! I have watched a lot of cop shows over the last 4 decades and can honestly say this is one of the best! All of the characters are genuine and I care about them. Watch it if you haven't!