While seriously enjoying Sky Atlantic’s four-part Falcón police series which ends on Thursday, I‘m seriously thinking of refusing to watch this genre in the future. Set in Seville, Falcón has had plenty of graphic scenes in its few outings so far: one victim having his tongue cut off, a young torero killed by a bull and a mother drinking poisoned milk. Then there’s Inspector Falcón himself, cutting corners, playing by his rules and ignoring the heat from the bosses down town. The clichéd maverick cop protagonist shows no sign of losing its mass market appeal.
There’s been lots of these type of characters: Dirty Harry, Jimmy McNulty, “Popeye” Doyle, John McClane, Alex Cross, Supercop. The list is endless. Feel free to chuck in your favourite. The maverick cop tears up the rule book, brings justice for all and along the way has some casual sex with a stunning female. Who can not love the maverick cop?
What about a change? Do writers have to run wild with their imagination and create these larger than life detectives? Is there no interest for a normal cop that solves cases normally?
If I were writing a police TV series I would focus on the run of the mill work done by cops. One episode could begin with a body and then the cops arriving on the scene. The next hour of the show would see the detectives searching the grounds for clues and/or the murder weapon. They could be rummaging through bins and lifting up floorboards. This would be gripping stuff. I always feel the TV shows run through the search process too quickly always wanting to hurl the story along. Chill out, man, willya? My first episode would have little dialogue and be entirely about the cops investigating the scene for evidence. Not a maverick in sight and if you ask me, sky high ratings.
Boadicea's Chariot 
JW, don’t give up the day job! Btw, shall I tell you who dunnit in the Killing III?
“If I were writing a police TV series I would focus on the run of the mill work done by cops. One episode could begin with a body and then the cops arriving on the scene. The next hour of the show would see the detectives searching the grounds for clues and/or the murder weapon. They could be rummaging through bins and lifting up floorboards. This would be gripping stuff.”
Mornin’ JW. Err, sorry, no it wouldn’t and anyway it’s been done before just to prove the point. Ever heard of Crimewatch?
OZ
Have you read the Scarpetta books, TR? She is not a cop, and I don’t think any of them have ever been filmed, perhaps because of all the detail involved, some of it quite gruesome. A medical examiner’s job is not a pretty one.
Trust me TR, gripping telly it would not be! The reality of murder investigations is so mundane, routine and dull the maverick cop is needed to create drama where there is none! No such thing in Brit copland though I’m afraid!
Never seen this in the USA. They had Wallender on Public TV, absolutely throat cuttingly depressing.
If you want to watch process watch CSI NY or CSI Vegas.
On investigations, they’re all like that; concentration and application. All worth it when you come up with a result, though 🙂
I think Michael Connelly writes the best police procedural stories with Harry Bosch and Mickey Haller. Engrossing tales with all the detail you want, JW!
Forty-Eight is a series for you, then. It deals with actual investigations of real crimes. Very little drama, very little excitement. Just a lot of tedious procedures and investigations. It also shows how many times cases simply go cold because evidence cannot be found in time before they have to begin focusing on other things.
Cuprum.
Regarding your comment #4. How very true!
Same applies to court room drama. It’s not in the slightest bit dramatic, although this is how it portrayed in novels and in films and on television.
Thanks for the recommendations, fellow Charioteers. Although, to put it mildly I was upset that my screenwriting ambitions were dismissed.
I’m just about to finish Harry Bosch book two as we speak, J. I’m working my way through the series in order as this seems the logical way to do it. This is me using my forensic eye. Which links nicely to Scarpetta. No, I haven’t read any of the books but will try one soon, Sheona. As for the monolithic CSI franchise, its well past its sell-by date.
Christopher, the series you mention sounds right up my street. However, I’m looking for fictional characters and not true crime.
I have outlined a storyboard for episode two. (What do you lot mean, it wouldn’t have got past the pilot)
It begins with a break-in at a shop. A robbery has taken place during the night. The owner calls in the cops in the morning and they are told the CCTV was active when the crime was taking place. The whole episode consists of the detectives fast forwarding through the video at x16 speed and seeing nobody until near the end of the show a figure appears on the screen and is shown stealing goods. We’ve got him, shout the cops. They freeze frame and zoom in on the villain. Oh no, he’s wearing a mask.
To be continued…
JW, your new production would do well in Norway where slow is a way of life.