E-Ring (2005–2006)

Major Jim Tisnewski, until recently an active special forces commando, takes up a Pentagon job as assistant of US Army colonel Eli McNulty. He now must learn to battle the Pentagon way ... See full summary »

Creators:

David McKenna, Ken Robinson

Stars:

Benjamin Bratt, Aunjanue Ellis, Dennis Hopper

Won 1 Primetime Emmy. Another 1 nomination.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Benjamin Bratt	...	Maj. Jim Tisnewski (23 episodes, 2005-2006)
Aunjanue Ellis	...	MSgt. Jocelyn Pierce (23 episodes, 2005-2006)
Dennis Hopper	...	Col. Eli McNulty (23 episodes, 2005-2006)
Kelly Rutherford	...	Samantha 'Sonny' Liston (21 episodes, 2005-2006)
Kerr Smith	...	Bobby Wilkerson (16 episodes, 2005-2006)
Maurice Compte	...	Charlie Gutierrez (11 episodes, 2005-2006)

Storyline

Major Jim Tisnewski, until recently an active special forces commando, takes up a Pentagon job as assistant of US Army colonel Eli McNulty. He now must learn to battle the Pentagon way against politicians and careerist officers who often oppose what makes operational sense. On occasion, Jim returns to his team or otherwise interacts with his former mates, especially Bobby Wilkerson. Jim also develops a triangle relationship with a CIA agent, his lover, and Pentagon lawyer Samantha 'Sonny' Liston, who has a crush on the hunky officer-gentleman.

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Plot Keywords:

military | terrorism prevention | pentagon | female lawyer | female soldier | 

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Taglines:

The Pentagon. The Missions. The Heroes.

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 September 2005 (USA)

Also Known As:

D.O.S. - Division des opérations spéciales

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros. Television, Jerry Bruckheimer Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min 60 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

NBC gave the show a full-season order of 22 episodes but only aired 14.

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Quotes

Colonel McNulty: Sunday mornings at the Pentagon. Can't you just feel the love?

User Reviews

What's wrong with this show?

Critics of this show say there is a fundamental flaw with the concept of E-Ring: the main characters, including the protagonist played by Benjamin Bratt, are not really heroes.

The line of thinking says that characters have to operate completely autonomously to be considered heroic. The comments I've seen point out that Bratt and his colleagues (including boss Dennis Hopper) direct others to do the work but need to get approval from above for that work to be carried out. In other words, they don't DO anything themselves.

I watched the episodes I've seen with a jaundiced eye, the critics' words in mind. But Bratt comes off as, while slightly arrogant and naive, a true crusader who is learning to work the system to get very heroic things done. Along the way he designs some pretty creative military missions.

Jerry Bruckheimer may be stretching himself a little thin, but this one is pretty darn good. I would give it 7 out of 10. For one thing, the acting and writing (discounting a few egregious clichés) is better than CSI: Miami.