MOTIVE: The New ‘Columbo’ – Sort Of

I just watched the first two episodes of ABC’s new crime drama Motive and I think I’m OK with it. I was curious about it since the show comes from the creative minds behind The Mentalist and Dexter, two very strong shows.

The show boasts about being unique in that the audience will know the who the killer is from the opening scenes. this is not really unique though. Back in 1968 NBC was the home of one of the most loved detectives of all time, Columbo. The series, which later moved to ABC, had the same format: we watched the opening scenes as the killer does his thing and then covers it up, and then the rest of the show is spent watching Columbo put the pieces together and nail the criminal. It was fun to watch and Columbo was a master at misrepresenting himself, often annoying even his boss. But he was able to blindside his suspects this way and it always worked.

Detective Angie Flynn is a likeable character with a certain amount of sass and feistiness that I find entertaining to watch in crime dramas. She’s the single mom of a teenage boy, juggling work and parenthood and doing an apparently good job. She’s a great detective, with pretty accurate instincts that are usually belittled by the men in her department, including her partner. But Angie always has the last laugh when she proves her case, and it’s not like she’s really in a battle to prove herself to these men. She just does her job.

While Motive didn’t blow me away I found it enjoyable to watch. I’m a bit wrung out from all the excessive twists and turns from shows like Scandal, Once Upon a Time and Revenge. All really great shows, don’t get me wrong. I’m a huge fan of each one! But it’s nice to have this little show come along that is comfortable. And I love the reminder of Columbo, right down to the old beat up car that she drives. So rock it, Angie!

“Motive” stars Kristin Lehman as Detective Angie Flynn, Louis Ferreira as Detective Oscar Vega, Lauren Holly as Dr. Betty Rogers, Roger Cross as Staff Sergeant Boyd Bloom, Brendan Penny as Detective Brian Lucas and Cameron Bright as Manny Flynn.

Motive premieres Thursday, May 23, at 10/9c, and will repeat on Sunday, May 26th at 10/9c.