EnoVarma (Seasons 1 through 4)A terrifically entertaining show based, or rather, inspired by the series of novels by Tess Gerritsen. R&I mixes often gruesome cases with sitcom-y dialogue and downright soap opera level plot twists. So, what's not to like?It's pretty light-weight stuff, but well produced and acted, often resembling a female version of "Castle" (better show by a couple of notches). The focal point of the series is Jane Rizzoli, and Angie Harmon playing her. Harmon showcases terrific comedic sensitivities, but pulls off playing tough as well. Sasha Alexander's Maura Isles is a great "straight man" to the lively Harmon.R&I is a crime show made by women for women. Its feminist undertones show in the way the two gorgeous leads aren't visually objectified, and in the tendency of solving dilemmas through other than aggressive ways. On the other hand, it's hard to find positive father figures in this female-centered show, contrasted by the central mother figure played by the charismatic Lorraine Bracco in a lovely, warmth-filled performance. This, too, gives food for thought: Maura's father, a mob boss responsible for dozens of murders, is shown in a multi-dimensional way with sympathetic undertones; but a sex trafficker is simply shot to death execution style.The latter is linked to the main weakness of the show: often the resolution to the cases come through lazy writing. The writers get markedly better (as does the show) season by season, but even in a 4th season episode there is a baffling scene where R&I break into an evidence room, but in the end Isles simply pulls all the answers (in the said room) from her computer and previous investigation. Quite clumsy, that.Nevermind, R&I was never meant to be "The Cracker", it's just a wonderfully engaging show, where the beef is in the banter between the delightful characters. With, again, Angie Harmon being absolutely hilarious. All in all, this is the stuff binge-watching is made of.

SnoopyStyle Jane Rizzoli (Angie Harmon) is a Boston police detective. Chief medical examiner Maura Isles (Sasha Alexander) is her best friend. Her brother Frankie (Jordan Bridges) is a junior cop. Her sassy mother Angela Rizzoli (Lorraine Bracco) keeps butting in. There are fellow detectives Vince Korsak (Bruce McGill) and Barry Frost (Lee Thompson Young). Maura has an unknown criminal biological father. Through it all, there is the unbreakable friendship.The centerpiece of this show is the sisterhood. Some have claimed sensing lesbian undertones. It's just friendship but I can't hate on the shippers. This works as a police procedural. There are good serial runs. The show runs into a road block when Lee Thompson Young committed suicide. It puts a cloud over the show but it is able to maintain for three more seasons. The ladies are able to steer it over any rough waters but eventually, the show just gets old.

bjarias Came across this one late, several years late. But thought it would be worth a try cause it kept popping up on several 'best' lists. Well after just a few episodes, just can't take any more. It's across the board... casting is the first culprit. There are a couple main characters that just don't work (IMHO), and once you have the advantage of looking and seeing they're around for the entire series, you know issues with them will more than likely continue. Next the story-line and script dialogue are very weak for a show that's half-dozen seasons long to date. And the overall acting is very suspect... probably a combination of factors leading to all the sub-par performances. And you figure there's always the chance they'll get it right later on.. but skipping several seasons forward you find the same issues continuing. Unfortunate.. the two leads deserved better... but it's still going, and there's for sure a loyal following that just might keep it around another season or two.

jelewat1 Alexander was better in NCIS. This show is not as good but I tend to be very critical of crime shows. Law and Order for example is one of the worst television shows ever created. Why do I say this? The cops talk and act just like the bad guys! I sometimes can't tell the difference between the two groups in Law and order. I guess I got spoiled watching good cop shows like Hunter and Dragnet! In these shows you could always tell the difference between the cops and criminals. The criminals used bad language and the police acted like they should act like! Good decent people!I noticed starting with Hill Street Blues this blur where both the good guys and bad guys talked and acted the same! It's bad TV!