PilotWatch: THE FIRM

NBC Sundays @ 10pm

What's it about?
Based on the blockbuster feature film and best-selling novel by world-renowned author John Grisham, THE FIRM continues the story of attorney Mitchell McDeere and his family 10 years after the events of the film and novel.  As a young associate, McDeere brought down the prestigious Memphis law firm of Bendini, Lambert & Locke, which operated as a front for the Chicago mob -- and his life was never the same.  After a difficult decade, which included a stay in the Federal Witness Protection Program, Mitch and his family now emerge from isolation to reclaim their lives and their future -- only to find that past dangers are still lurking and new threats are everywhere.
(Synopsis from NBC.)

So, how was it?
First, let me get my hesitations out of the way.  I'm not sure why this show chose to start 10 years after the events of the novel, instead of just being based on the novel itself (though rebooted in 2012, not as a period piece).  It would've given viewers a well-known story to latch onto, which, in this world of never-ending sequels and book adaptations, we know is a bankable tactic.  (Not to mention that 10 years after the events of the novel would be 2003, not 2012.  Yet this show exists in a world utterly indistinguishable from our modern day life.  At least thus far.)  A straight-up adaptation would also have added to the longevity of the show -- they could've spent an entire season on the book and then branched out from there.  And the writers have had to strain credulity a bit to get us to believe that Mitch and his family would leave the Witness Protection Program after 10 years against professional advice because they think the mob will have stopped looking for them.  Although the explanation of wanting a stable life for his daughter almost does the job.  And finally, the pilot is punctuated with a couple flashbacks to the events 10 years ago, where apparently the makeup and costume department has put in absolutely no effort to make anyone look even a day younger.  Seriously, these characters are not old enough to have looked exactly the same an entire decade ago.

Now that probably sounds like a lot, but it's mostly minor stuff and I wanted to get it out of the way first, because my overwhelming response to the pilot was positive.  I enjoyed the pace, the plotting, the atmosphere, the acting...it all gelled for me.  Josh Lucas (POSEIDON) makes for a handsome, likable protagonist, even if his character is a wee bit too goody-two-shoes.  Molly Parker (DEADWOOD) is excellent as his wife Abby, who I am pleased to say doesn't merely fill the role of pretty damsel in distress.  She's smart and knowledgable enough to give input on Mitch's legal conundrums.  Not to mention the two have great chemistry.  Then there's Juliette Lewis (NATURAL BORN KILLERS) as Mitch's assistant and Callum Keith Rennie (BATTLESTAR GALACTICA) as his brother and P.I.  The two bring just enough quirkiness to fulfill the supporting character roles nicely.  And finally, the gorgeous Tricia Helfer (BATTLESTAR GALACTICA) is icy and intriguing as the head of the firm Mitch joins by the end of the pilot, who harbors as-of-yet vague and nefarious motives.

The show exists largely in one timeline, but contains both flashbacks to events 10 years ago and flashforwards to some very dramatic events six weeks in the future (which bookend the pilot).  The fast-paced legal drama with a season-long mystery and unexplained flashforwards reminds me of DAMAGES, and that can never be a bad thing.  Granted, THE FIRM doesn't have Glenn Close in its cast, but at least thus far it's doing okay on its own.  John Grisham himself helped create the show, and hopefully he's been writing legal thrillers long enough to be able to sustain a good show for a whole season (and hopefully even more seasons after that).

Rating:
*** Solid. I'm interested and will definitely keep watching.
This is the first show of the new year that I'm genuinely excited about.  Unfortunately, the ratings for its premiere were absolutely atrocious.  Only 6.2 million people tuned in for a scant 1.4 rating, which is 46% fewer than watched the premiere of THE CAPE last year, and we all know how that turned out (and if you don't, it only lasted for 10 episodes).  I don't know if the poor ratings were due to bad publicity or what, because Grisham is an extremely popular brand name, but hopefully viewership will pick up to sustain this show, because it has great promise.  And because NBC needs a win.

Your turn, Fellow Addicts!  Were you one of the few who tuned in to the pilot?  If so, what'd you think?  If not, why not?  Vote in the poll below and then hit the comments!

(For the complete rundown of when all the new shows are premiering, check out my 2012 Midseason TV Preview.)

What did you think of THE FIRM?