Boomtown 

Each episode of this series, set in present day Los Angeles, examines one crime from many different viewpoints - uniformed cops, detectives, witnesses, the media, the fire department and ... See full summary »

Creator:

Graham Yost

Stars:

Donnie Wahlberg, Neal McDonough, Mykelti Williamson

Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy. Another 7 wins & 7 nominations.

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
Donnie Wahlberg	...	Detective Joel Stevens 24 episodes, 2002-2003
Neal McDonough	...	David McNorris 24 episodes, 2002-2003
Mykelti Williamson	...	Detective Bobby 'Fearless' Smith 24 episodes, 2002-2003
Gary Basaraba	...	Officer Ray Hechler 24 episodes, 2002-2003
Lana Parrilla	...	Teresa Ortiz 24 episodes, 2002-2003
Jason Gedrick	...	Officer Tom Turcotte 24 episodes, 2002-2003
Nina Garbiras	...	Andrea Little 18 episodes, 2002-2003

Storyline

Each episode of this series, set in present day Los Angeles, examines one crime from many different viewpoints - uniformed cops, detectives, witnesses, the media, the fire department and rescue squad, even the criminals themselves.

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Plot Keywords:

blood splatter | title based on song | suicide attempt | surprise attack | strangulation | 

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Taglines:

One crime. Seen from every point of view.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

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Details

Official Sites:

NBC NBC Primetime

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 September 2002 (USA)

Also Known As:

Metrópolis

Filming Locations:

El Mirage Dry Lake, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

NBC Studios, DreamWorks Television, Nemo Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

45 min (24 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Donnie Wahlberg and Neal McDonough had worked together previously on HBO's Band of Brothers (2001).

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Quotes

Henry Stein: A killer comes into a man's house, a man's got the right to do whatever he wants.
Det. Joel Stevens: You do not have the right to execute him, sir.
Officer Ray Hechler: Sure he does. Do what you got to do, Mr. Stein.
Det. Joel Stevens: Shut up, Ray.
Officer Ray Hechler: The man's in his own home. This animal came here to butcher his family!
Det. Joel Stevens: Ray, SHUT UP!

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Connections

Referenced in Raines: Pilot (2007)

User Reviews

Canned Brilliance

Boomtown, a masterclass in story telling and character driven narrative lasted just over one season, and is perhaps the greatest case of a show destroyed because of it's nature rather than it's quality.

In an ambitious take on the well covered cop/crime show niche, Boomtown aimed to show the story behind a crime from every angle; the beat cops, the detectives, the politicians, the paramedics, the victims, and the suspects. Whereas this could have ended up being a gimmick wasted on an audience not excited by such originality, creator Graham Yost managed to mould a brilliant series of stories that always kept the people at the fore-front of the drama, and never gave in to spectacle. The episodes would veer from comic to dark and disturbing from week to week, going from a corpse fired out of a cannon to betrayed police officers and S&M Murderous Psychopaths. All the time the principal cast, and the creditable guest characters, were given the most attention and the stories usually explored the why of a crime rather than the how and who.

The main characters were a mixed batch, all of whom were memorable in their own right. There was the two detectives, the earnest and dignified Joel Stevens (Donnie Wahlberg, displaying his acting chops in a rare chance to prove that he's far more than Marky Mark's brother) and his partner, the flamboyant and tongue in cheek though on the mark Bobby 'Fearless Smith (Mykelti Williamson). The street officers were the chatterbox veteran, Ray Hechler (Gary Basaraba), and youngish Italian bull Tom Turcotte (Jason Gedrick), who is forever his legendary father's shadow. Then there was the strong willed yet vulnerable paramedic, Teresa Ortiz (Lana Parilla), who cares for nothing but the well being of others, and the usually hell bent and cold reporter, Andrea Little (Nina Garbiras), who has questions she should ask herself. However, the real showpiece of the show was reserved for the fast talking, faster switching Deputy D.A David McNorris (Neal McDonough), a brilliant lawyer who trips himself up on account of his demons. All of these characters were fleshed out well and played to a tee by a fine cast.

The show combined breathless showpieces of action and suspense with the occasional injection of humour, plus managed to incorporate a heart and emotional edge that in so many similar mediums seems tacked on. None of the characters are free from this, with each one suffering from their problems, some facing them better than others. Moments brought gasps and tears in equal measure but their was always enough entertainment abound to ensure the show kept on an even keel. The second series, although beginning shakily, got into stride and the series seemed destined for greatness before the networks pulled the plug. It was a sad end, brought about by a general lack of popularity and a view that the show would not provide the means by which to finance it's ambition. Whether Boomtown would have become a household name over time is not clear, but it's obvious that it's loss was felt by those who appreciated it's sublime nature, and it's cancellation represented a defeat in the battle for quality television.

Ultimately, a brilliant show that died young.