When first confronted with the notion of “Good Cop/Unhealthy Cop,” my screen-addled mind sputtered to a halt. Certainly, this couldn’t be an actual tv collection. It checks out {that a} present with a forward-slash within the title is obtainable to stream internationally on one thing referred to as Stan., an Australian streaming service — which, sure, consists of the interval as a part of its identify — but it surely’s additionally been picked up in America on The CW? Are you certain? Did you examine the one true supply for launch confirmations — the Metacritic TV premiere calendar? Isn’t it extra probably the police procedural a few brother/sister detective duo working for his or her dad/chief in a small Washington city was really an outdated “30 Rock” joke — one thing that’s solely stolen my consideration as we speak as a result of Tina Fey’s prescient sitcom as soon as once more aligned with present occasions and took over social media?
However no. Whereas the title does sound just like the form of present Josh would brag about touchdown earlier than he finally misplaced the gig to Frankie Muniz (keep in mind Josh?), it’s a contact too generic to make it out of such a shrewd writers’ room. Their model wouldn’t be “Good Cop/Unhealthy Cop”; it will be the Tracy Jordan film, “Black Cop, White Cop,” full with the tagline, “One does the obligation, the opposite will get the booty.” That’s humorous as a result of it appears like a studio comedy (keep in mind these?) that would’ve actually been produced within the early 2000s, and as a result of it’s clear the joke-tellers understand how silly their foolish title sounds. “Good Cop/Unhealthy Cop,” regardless of being actual, doesn’t present any such consciousness.
Till, that’s, you begin watching. Whereas removed from the slyly subversive satire one may hope for given its bluntly brainless title, creator (and veteran sitcom author) John Quaintance’s hourlong police procedural is self-aware sufficient to make its flaws forgivable and its strengths unmistakable — most outstanding among the many latter is its effervescent star, Leighton Meester. (Somebody please give her a plum, outstanding lead half in a premium manufacturing, my god, why do I even must ask?) “Good Cop/Unhealthy Cop” is like if “Blue Bloods” was set in a city of 9,346 individuals, the variety of cop-family protagonists was decreased to suit their fun-sized jurisdiction, and their largest concern was working into an ex on the native diner. It’s a silly-fun time (not a stupid-fun time), which helps the primary six episodes settle considerably uneasily on the facet of “good.”
Meester stars as Lou Hickman (brief for Louise, which she disavows as a result of it’s “an outdated woman identify”), the highest (and solely) detective in Eden Vale, Washington. Whereas some narcissistic cops might imagine having the entire division to themselves is a license to run wild, Lou is sick of it. She’s uninterested in handing off circumstances to the county sheriff as a result of Eden Dale’s workplace doesn’t have the sources for a correct investigation. She’s fed up with dealing with every thing on her personal, for the reason that city’s recruiting pool for extra detectives is nearly nonexistant. She’s exhausted by the identical boring techniques used to maintain locals in line, like when she threatens to inform a suspect’s mom what he’s been as much as as a result of Lou is aware of her, personally. She is aware of everybody personally. It’s a small city!
“I really feel like KG when he performed for the Wolves. Give me some complimentary items or commerce me to the Celtics,” Lou says, instantly profitable over this ride-or-die Boston basketball fan (regardless of counting on a sports activities reference that’s practically twenty years outdated). Lou’s ardour for skilled progress and choice for communal success over particular person heroism are the preliminary endearing features of “Good Cop/Unhealthy Cop” (if you happen to don’t depend Meester herself, whose mere presence is an automated plus), in no small half as a result of Lou’s not blaming her issues on the place she lives. This isn’t one other story about an individual trapped of their hometown, dreaming of what they might do within the large metropolis, if solely they might get there. It’s a narrative a few younger lady who needs what’s greatest for her profession as a result of it’s additionally what’s greatest for the individuals and place she cares about. That’s good! It’s additionally mandatory, given the dire state of America’s rural communities.
Fortunately, “Good Cop/Unhealthy Cop” doesn’t dwell on such critical issues. It’s not a critical present. It’s a enjoyable present, which units its predominant story in movement when Lou’s father/police captain Huge Hank (Clancy Brown) solutions his daughter’s pleas by bringing in one other detective — somebody who suits the funds, however nonetheless has experiences distinct to the prevailing workforce: Lou’s brother, Henry (Luke Prepare dinner). Years in the past, Henry left city after a minor dust-up with Huge Hank and went to work within the nearest metropolis (Seattle) as a beat cop. However Henry’s lack of interpersonal expertise are holding him from the promotion he craves, so when introduced with an opportunity to maneuver up within the ranks, even one meaning working for his father, he can’t flip it down.
Henry’s awkward interpersonal interactions and obsessive behavioral patterns are each unusual and acquainted. They’re unusual within the sense that his social expertise are “worse than a serial killer’s” and he’ll solely eat almonds whereas outside. However they’re acquainted as a result of they match a typical TV archetype that usually labels such characters as autistic, which this collection has but to do. “Good Cop/Unhealthy Cop” doesn’t need you to assume Henry’s on the spectrum. It simply needs you to assume he’s bizarre. Might it have completed so with out inviting questions on his neurodiversity — questions like, “Is Eden Vale too small to help a correct psychologist who may’ve recognized Henry when he was a child? Or did Huge Hank merely by no means take him to the physician? Does Huge Hank not even imagine in medical doctors? Wait, is that this present set in a future the place RFK Jr’s worm-brained well being insurance policies have eternally warped our kids’s futures? Is that the twist? Is that this secretly a stupid-fun present in spite of everything?!”
No, it’s not. It’s a silly-fun present that, like its small-town police power, doesn’t have the sources to grapple with such weighty points, so it does it’s greatest to keep away from them. As Lou and Henry workforce up for brand spanking new circumstances each week, “Good Cop/Unhealthy Cop” overcomes its meager manufacturing funds by leaning on lighthearted vibes. There’s strong bodily comedy, intelligent quips, and endearing household bonding — and Meester isn’t the one actor able to delivering them. Plus, the investigations are goofy! The primary crime revolves round two unrelated burglars who present as much as rob the identical pharmacy on the similar time. One other entails intimidating (however by no means hurting) a highschool quarterback earlier than his large rivalry recreation. Maybe the very best episode of the six screened for critics hinges on an beginner actress who goes lacking whereas capturing a YouTube video. (“Effectively, it’s a YouTube video for now, however sooner or later it’ll be a film,” the baby-faced director says.)
“Good Cop/Unhealthy Cop” feels most at residence when it’s awkwardly staged across the Hickmans’ dinner desk — Lou and Henry sitting facet by facet, with Huge Hank and his TV-obsessed girlfriend Nadia (Blazey Greatest) at both finish. Not solely does the awkward seating association emphasize the present’s mandated ethos of financial system over realism — it’s sooner to shoot going through in a single course than two (not to mention 4) — but it surely additionally emphasizes how little I care that 4 individuals are inexplicably taking over three sides of a four-sided desk. Typically TV simply needs to be charming sufficient, foolish sufficient, and sound sufficient to earn your time. Typically it simply wants dedicated actors, writers, and producers who know what to prioritize and what to ignore. Typically it simply wants a personality who can’t cease citing actual TV reveals to indicate how a lot the individuals behind the one you’re watching love TV.
“Good Cop/Unhealthy Cop” could also be a horrible title, but it surely’s removed from horrible present. Everybody making it seems to know it might shock some individuals — maintain these “Twin Peaks” references coming, Nadia — and now I do, too.
Grade: B-
“Good Cop/Unhealthy Cop” premieres Wednesday, February 19 at 9 p.m. ET on The CW.