Love. Life.

I think when it comes to falling in love you should take things slowly before you fully commit.

It’s just that I’ve been hurt before.

There have been a few icky one-night stands and then there were those times when I have fallen hard and then suddenly they disappear without a trace leaving me asking, "Is it me? Do I just have lousy taste?"

I’m talking about television shows of course.

But, I’m in a new relationship now. It started as a summer fling (thanks to Netflix) and has turned into full-blown love affair.

The new love of my life is Life.

First let me say I haven’t enjoyed a cop drama since the Caruso days of NYPD Blue. I don’t like homicide crime shows nor shows about prison. So you can imagine a show about a homicide cop who spent 12 years in prison after being wrongfully accused of a triple murder would be a strange choice. But I was inexplicably drawn to it, much like my husband. I am pleased to report, both have worked out well.

The plot: Detective Charlie Crews (Damien Lewis) is released after a brutal 12-year stint in prison having lost his wife, his friends and his credibility. On the upside he’s gained a multi-million dollar settlement from the state of California and a completely Zen-like outlook on life.

Although fully exonerated for the murders and filthy stinkin’ rich, Crews goes back to work as a detective. He and his reluctant partner, Dani Reese (the deeply flawed and deeply hot Sarah Shahi), solve homicides, but in his spare time Crews tries to solve the mystery of who actually committed the crime for which he went to jail.

The verbal interplay between Crews and Reese is subtle yet hilarious. For instance when he pontificates about how all things in the universe are connected, as he often does, citing the fact that the mango he is eating came from Guatemala, but is now part of him, she threatens to shoot him.

Katherine Pope, president of Universal Media Studios, which produces the show, calls the pairing of Crews and Reese as the "second coming of Mulder and Scully."

This season, having solved who committed the murder, Charlie is determined to find out who framed him. The question is, can a detective who has seemingly come out of prison a better man with a remarkably positive attitude (and an insatiable passion for fruit) seek answers without seeking vengeance? ( Do yourself a favor and watch all those little clip thingamabobs at the bottom of the bigger clip thingamabob.)

Life is filled with quirky contradictions. Crews buys himself a colossal house with his fortune, but refuses to furnish it because he doesn’t want to live a cluttered life. He drives a Bentley sports car while listening to Zen affirmations about not being attached to material possessions. And, he lives with ex-inmate Ted Earley (played with nervous brilliance by Adam Arkin), who manages his multi-million dollar settlement, despite his incarceration for fraud and embezzlement.

It’s little touches like those that makes Life one of the most unconventional, original and enjoyable shows on television. It’s no wonder I fell in love with Life—its got all the things that I look for-- a great sense of humor, good looks, and a little edge.

Actually Life recently came back from the brink of death after NBC played Three Card Monty with its scheduling (for a change). Originally airing the show on Mondays they moved it to the hospice slot of Fridays at 10 where all good shows go to die.

But even while struggling to find an audience, who may have just been struggling to find it, someone with some semblance of moxie and good taste in the NBC executive offices moved it to Wednesday nights at 9 pm where it had a huge increase in viewership (granted, the powerhouse of acronyms like L&O and CSI were on hiatus, but still) and they gave it an additional 12-episode order.

I could be a hopeless romantic, but I think that bodes well for a third season.

It’s off the air for the next three weeks, but hey, absence makes the heart grow fonder, and will be returning on February 4th at 9pm.

Now normally I wouldn’t do this, because I’m very possessive, but I’m willing to share my love. Watch past episodes on the web, or use those shiny disk-like things, but do whatever it takes to discover all that Life has to offer.

Comments

[BaltimoreGal]

I absolutely adore this show! It takes turns between being shocking, quirky, hilarious, sweet, and dramatic. And OH, the plot turns! I also love me some Damien Lewis. LOVE.

[gray matter matters]

I know. I didn't put it in the post (it was rambling enough) but did you know that he's British? First House now him? Don't we have any unconventionally sexy actors over here?

[lori]

I'm gonna be all obnoxious and say that I loved this show from the first episode when it first aired but there it is. I was SO glad when it was picked up again.

The story telling is pretty unique with the bits of interviews sprinkled throughout and all the relationships in the show. But mostly I'm just a sucker for strange characters who make me love them.

[divrchk]

This is one of the best shows on tv. I've watched it from the first episode and it was true love. My husband who watches very little tv will not miss this show.

[amalah]

Damian Lewis was awesome in the awesome Band of Brothers. Incredibly awesome. And so I've always wondered if this show was any good, and am not really sure why I didn't just...like, WATCH IT and see.

You have convinced me! We will tune in.

[Becki]

I love this show - watched from day one. There are just so many levels to it - and such intelligence!

Very poignant as well. You think Charlie is ok but then occasionally they sharply remind you how bad his prison experience was . .like when Ted had a security fence installed around the property and Charlie totally, quietly freaked until it came down . .

and SO FUNNY when Ted finds out his jail protector is a Charlie Crews Zen follower . .

Amy - do yourself a favor and rent/buy the first season before you start watching (it may even be online at NBC) . you really need all the nuances . . .

[gray matter matters]

Amen Becki! I have one final TiVo'd episode before it comes back in February and I know I'm going to go into withdrawls.

[sarah]

i love it too! i'm so happy to hear that it might have a shot at sticking around!

i'm not into crime/cop dramas AT ALL, but i'll make an exception for charlie crews and his fruit any day.

[Michael]

Love this show, love it! NBC, please don't cancel this show. Or at least don't cancel until Charlie sticks it to whoever set him up! I've got to watch this fruit-loving freak of Zen!