Scott Speedman’s Drama Series Is Solid
Based on Carl Hiaasen’s 1987 novel, “Double Whammy,” “Elementary” creator Rob Doherty’s newest drama, ABC‘s “RJ Decker,” is a solid crime procedural with an unlikely investigator at its center. This series follows RJ (Scott Speedman), a former photojournalist trying to find his bearings after his release from prison. Unfortunately, his job at the newspaper is no longer an option, so RJ launches a fledgling private-investigation business, where he looks into some of the strangest cases in South Florida. Although the show’s structure is rather run-of-the-mill despite some very bizarre crimes, the characters keep this series buoyant. (“RJ Decker” is now the second Hiaasen sequence a couple of PI on tv, becoming a member of Apple TV’s Vince Vaughn-starrer “Bad Monkey.”)
Following an 18-month-long stint for aggravated assault, RJ continues to be grappling together with his new regular. He’s two months behind on his hire at his trailer park, his RV is parked subsequent to a sinkhole and he is doing professional bono investigations to find misplaced canines. However, issues take a flip in his favor when a lady is discovered strangled to loss of life within the trunk of a automotive. The homicide is eerily just like a former co-worker of RJ’s and his ex-wife, journalist Catherine Delacroix (Adelaide Clemens), from years prior, which has remained unsolved. Determined to search out out what occurred to the lady and get justice for his late co-worker, RJ begins poking round, even convincing Detective Melody “Mel” Romero (Bevin Bru), Catherine’s spouse, who is not precisely his largest fan, to funnel him data the police division has uncovered.
Stoic however sharp, RJ is concentrated on getting himself on a greater monetary footing. However, it is obviously apparent he hasn’t fairly unpacked the darkness that led him to jail within the first place. Despite the prodding of his finest buddy and former cellmate, Aloysius “Wish” Aiken (Kevin Rakin), RJ stays emotionally closed off. The photographer additionally has a shaky bond with Emilia ‘Emi’ Ochoa (Jaina Lee Ortiz), whose unbridled entry to Ft. Lauderdale’s elite may both make or break RJ’s second probability. RJ’s private relationships, together with his enduring friendship with Catherine, are essentially the most compelling points of the present.
Interestingly, the instances RJ is employed to research all have a selected “Florida Man” vibe. Although they’re clearly meant to spotlight the weird and infrequently sinister habits of Floridians, the crimes depicted right here border on the unbelievable. Critics got solely two of the 9 episodes from the primary season for evaluation, and these introductory episodes embody the whole lot from Venus fly-traps and a human meat grinder to a serial killer with botched calf implants. The murders themselves are clearly very sinister, however the circumstances surrounding them undermine the present’s drama and lean towards the absurd. It can be fascinating to see whether or not some of these outlandish investigations proceed all through the season.
Since “High Potential” and “Will Trent” are performing effectively at ABC, it is doubtless “RJ Decker” will match proper in. The instances themselves could also be a bit bewildering, however the distinctiveness of the offenses showcased right here does set “RJ Decker” other than its contemporaries. Furthermore, just like the exhibits beforehand talked about, this sequence incorporates a compelling, although slightly off-kilter, protagonist at its middle. “RJ Decker” additionally has a particular tone. It’s neither comedic sufficient to be a dramedy, neither is it totally noir. Yet it is malleable sufficient to shift and lean with every episode.
With a definite Florida aura and Speedman because the reticent however endearing titular character, it proves that when a method is working, it is most likely finest to not shake the desk. Speedman has delighted followers in the whole lot from “Felicity” to “Grey’s Anatomy,” and his charms will nearly definitely work right here too. Also, the relationship-building across the central characters in “RJ Decker” will, undoubtedly, earn a loyal fandom.
“RJ Decker” premieres March 3 on ABC with new episodes dropping weekly on Tuesdays.
