Flashpoint has been an interesting experiment. While its not the first time networks from different countries have collaborated on a show, it is the first time such a show has been set in another country (though, BBC and NBC Universal collaborated on the first season of Battlestar Galactica and it was set in space, but who’s splitting hairs?)
There are too many cop shows on TV. Generally, I hate cop shows. Derivative. Formulaic. That annoying “Doink Doink” sound every scene change (Oh, that’s just Law and Order? Er … oops?). Lately, though, it seems that writers of the cop shows have figured out what I think the most important part of television (Hint: “It’s the Characters, Stupid”). The makers of Flashpoint get this too.
Through twenty two episodes over two seasons, we’ve only really gotten glimpse of the back stories of each of the characters. What we do get to see, however, is how the stress of their jobs weighs on them. In this season’s seventh episode, we see Enrico Colantoni’s Greg Parker break down after resolving a hostage situation in a high school. What these guys deal with, both during the crisisses they face, and as a result of them, is a real stress I can’t imagine. The team leans on each other, obviously for support.
The show also looks at each of these situations from the perspective of the subjects. We see the story that brings each of them to their individual “flashpoints.” What the show tells us is that no one’s history is cut and dry. That there is room for sympathy for a lot of the characters that we wouldn’t normally see explored on television. Its nice to see how the SRU is able to use critical thinking and discretion in resolving the conflicts. The lives of the hostage takers are just as important to them as the hostages.
The show’s fate for next season is still up in the air, though the latest rumors indicate a pick up, but probably with a change in time or night. From a demographic perspective, Flashpoint just doesn’t mesh that well with Ghost Whisperer, its lead in. Whichever night it airs next season, you should give it a chance. If Keith Mars isn’t enough to pull you in, you can’t say no to the Pink Power Ranger!
Clacked by Ivey West 
on May 18, 2009 @ 16:00 EST5EDT
I agree completely. Flashpoint has become one of my favorite shows. That episode with the school shooting was intense. I love the character driven writing of the show. I would love to start seeing reviews of this show next season (Well, if it gets picked up).
I have to say I enjoy Flashpoint (and love most things Enrico Colantoni turns up in actually).
I don’t think it was the BBC who had anything to do with Galactica, but in fact Sky.
*POST AUTHOR*
Good catch. I stand corrected. Thanks!
I have been DVRing this show and have the last 8 eps. But, I missed 2-3 at the beginning. Can I skip those or do you recommend I watch S2E2-E5 first? (I watched the first one)
*POST AUTHOR*
I think you can jump in pretty easily. Other than following the source of some of the team’s angst (Parker’s estranged son, for example), there’s really only one ongoing story, and its pretty accessible.
Thanks for writing this Do… Ivey.
I stopped watching after six episodes because I didn’t like the character development (wasn’t interested in that-girl-from-Felicity getting involved with that-pretty-boy) although I loved seeing “Keith Mars” again. The show has had pretty strong ratings on Fridays and I honestly don’t really understand why it hasn’t been renewed early. It always wins the night if I’m not wrong so this review really needed to happen. So again thanks :-) My brother likes the show so I hope for him that this one gets the thumbs up :-)
If you enjoy Flashpoint’s way of sympathizing with the victims, you may want to check out another Canadian show: Da Vinci’s Inquest. As a coroner, Da Vinci isn’t just hunting “the bad guy” every week, he’s just trying to find out what happened. And he’s always sympathetic with the down-n-outs of society, from homeless people to hookers or just blue collar working stiffs.
Very good stuff.