"Raines" (2007) TV series

User Rating:

7.4/10   

Creator:

Graham Yost

Seasons:

1

Genre:

Crime | Drama

Plot:

Los Angeles. Present day. Michael Raines, an eccentric but brilliant cop, solves murders in a very unusual way...

Plot Keywords:

Death | Police Investigation | Hallucination | One Word Title | Character Name In Title

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Jeff Goldblum	...	Michael Raines (7 episodes, 2007)
Matt Craven	...	Captain Dan Lewis (7 episodes, 2007)
Nicole Sullivan	...	Carolyn Crumley (7 episodes, 2007)
Linda Park	...	Sally Lance (7 episodes, 2007)
Dov Davidoff	...	Remi Boyer (7 episodes, 2007)
Malik Yoba	...	Charlie Lincoln (7 episodes, 2007)
Madeleine Stowe	...	Dr. Samantha Kohl (6 episodes, 2007)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Company:

Nemo Films

Trivia:

Luis Guzmán originally had the role of Charlie Lincoln, but after the pilot was shot, he was replaced by Malik Yoba. NBC then asked that the producers re-shoot the scenes in which he appeared.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Ellen: The Ellen DeGeneres Show: (2007-03-21)" (2007)

Finally, a clever network show!

Since I've only seen one episode so far, I can't give the series as a whole a ten rating. but nevertheless, the pilot episode of this program presents a series with great potential, all based on a REALLY clever idea. I was glad that this show wasn't just another supernatural affair, a la 'The Sixth Sense' or something along those lines. Instead, it is a study of one L.A. detective's determination, and even maniac ism, to solve murder cases. The victim's "form" throughout the show as Michael Raines (played perfectly by the always-great Jeff Goldblum!) starts to piece together their personalities from evidence gathered while investigating said crimes. They're not "ghosts" or "unresting dead", but actual figments of Raines' detective mind.

There is a line in the show, a bit of dialog, that sort of describes how this came out: Raines' ex-partner (surprises to come!) reminisces about Raines' method to talk to himself during investigations... to "talk through" his cases to get to know his victims. Well he does that now, except trauma, both emotional and physical (Raines' was shot prior to the pilot episode) has him actually "seeing" the victims and he talks to himself. It's real clever, and interesting. Because it's all in the mind, anything can happen.

Anyway, give this show a shot. It's not one of these over-the-top "what ridiculous shlt is gonna happen next" kinda network show that's been on the last few years. It is written, co-created, and directed by Frank Darabont ('The Shawshank Redemption', 'The Green Mile') and all the acting is excellent. Goldblum always delivers quirky, yet still likable and believable characters, and there's always something new around every story corner. This is the kind of quality show that could be on HBO Sunday nights. GO WATCH!!!