Lethal Weapon or Nah?

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Or Nah? is a feature where we watch and review the first episode of a new TV show. We’ll let you know if it’s worth checking out. As always, these reviews are the opinion of the reviewer, but we’ll try to adequately explain why you should or shouldn’t give the show a chance and provide shows for comparison.

Lethal Weapon - S1E1 - “Pilot” | Starring: Damon Wayans, Clayne Crawford, Keesha Sharp, Jordana Brewster, Kevin Rahm, Jonathan Fernandez

What’s It About?

Based off the 1987 film, the premise for FOX’s Lethal Weapon is almost exactly same. Grieving his dead wife, detective Martin Riggs (Crawford) relocates from Texas to join the LAPD. He’s partnered with veteran detective Roger Murtaugh (Wayans), and the two get off to a rocky start. Riggs is unstable and suicidal, while Murtaugh is overly cautious due to a recent heart attack.

The new partners clash over Rigg’s recklessness and Murtaugh’s inability to take risks as they investigate a murder staged to look like a suicide. By episode’s end, Riggs doesn’t completely overcome his demons, but the partners understand each other better, and Riggs decides to stick around Los Angeles.

What’s Good?

Crawford’s Riggs isn’t as manic as Mel Gibson’s, and he comes off more sympathetic for it. Allowing us a small glimpse of his relationship with his pregnant wife before she died gave us an immediate connection to Riggs and his loss. Wayans’ Murtaugh lacks much of the grumpy charm that Danny Glover brought to the character, but he more than makes up for it with comedic relief, sometimes with just a facial expression when he’s sure Riggs is going to get them both killed. And I don’t think there was anyone Crawford didn’t have excellent chemistry with.

The music is great and there are a few genuine laugh-out-loud moments. There wasn’t enough of the supporting cast  - other than Murtaugh’s family - to really get a bead on them.

What’s Bad?

It’s predictable. It relies heavily on buddy-cop and police procedural tropes so much of it will feel familiar - and just because you’ve seen the movie 200 times.

The Verdict

I’m sticking around. In one of the later films we learn that Riggs’ wife’s death wasn’t an accident. I’m hoping this series adds a twist of that caliber to break up some of the bad-guy-of-the-week monotony.

Watch this if: You liked the film and its formula. And you enjoy shows like Rosewood.

Don’t watch if: You’ve had just about enough of police procedurals.