User reviews

There are a few things going for this new crime drama revolving around the SFPD and a tech billionaire. 1. San Francisco is a happening city now and it's always interesting to show the contrast between the homelessness and despair and the dizzying high tech boom. The last few SF based shows have been cancelled like Alcatraz and 9 Lives of Chloe King. Hopefully this series showcases more of the scenic beauty of the city and not just the seamy side. 2. Sympathetic looking leads Kathleen Robertson and Taye Diggs and a multi ethnic supporting cast are watchable and not abrasive like some crime dramas. 3. After 4 episodes the central villain? played by Tom Felton or Malfoy from Harry Potter is an interesting and enigmatic character. At first he seemed to be still too teenage looking (like the rest of the Harry Potter cast) to be effective in his role but he is actually quite good. Since Steven Bochco is behind this I'm going to give this one a chance.

This summer I've been watching the new TNT series "Murder in the 1st" and I must say that creator Steven Bochco has this series keeping viewers on the edge of their seat. A single murder case starts it off only the case leads to a world of sex, drugs, and cover up beat it all it happens to be tied to a young rich computer business genius young boy! The setting of the series is in the city by the bay the scenes and images of the golden gate bridge and San Francisco are beautiful. Those images treat the viewer to a good sight after the eyes are salted with blood and murder scenes. Leading the way are two S.F. detectives Terry English(Taye Diggs)and divorced mother Hildy(the sexy Kathleen Robertson it's nice to see her getting work again I remember her Beverly Hills 90210 days). Thru it all the case takes twist with new characters and new leads and a pilot named Bill Wilkerson(the terrific Steven Weber)seems to play a supporting connection to it all. Overall the series is a pretty good suspense and drama thriller one that changes week to week with new things as hidden secrets are uncovered this all makes for an interesting watch!

I disagree with most of the other reviews. I thought it was a fine show. I'm happy to see Tommie Schlamme and the rest of the group together again. Nothing can please everybody first time out. I like getting to know the back story on the various characters, it forms more interest for me. Looks like this is a summer replacement, because when I looked it up on IMDb, the three stars are listed for 10 shows, perfect for summer, but it is certainly better than a lot of the other stuff on TV at this time. I like Taye Diggs and hope to see a lot more of Ian Anthony Dale. I don't know anything about the young leading lady, but like her for my first look, although I do agree about the gun being in a bad place, although as I said, nothing is perfect. Good luck to the show.

First, I'm a 30 year retired cop. This excellent screenplay and acting really set me back on my heels. This is a pretty accurate show on procedures and politics. In reality the norm is heads will roll if you push as hard as these two cops do. Pressure from the top would squelch any further digging into the main bad guy. He's connected and has his entourage of people connected.

Keep in mind, this is t.v. but this is one well put together show. The underlying heat between partners of the opposite sex can and does occur and it's portrayed very well by the two main actors. Their mannerisms are very accurate also in areas of interviews and interrogations. I thoroughly enjoyed the show and hope it continues with the excellent writing and cast.

I love Murder in the First. Other reviewers have complained about it's slow pace but I like the fact that the story takes it's time to be told. It's a cat and mouse game with lots of twists and turns. It's not a cookie cutter model of network TV (a good thing!). The characters are well developed. Taye Diggs and Katherine Robertson are an unlikely pairing but it works. The other characters complement these two and it's an interesting dynamic. Stephen Boccho is a master and it's good to see him back. I have recommended this show to my friends and family and hope it's renewed for next season. Monday night is now my favourite night for TV watching.

I went into this thinking it was just another Law & Order clone, like a million other shows out there these days, and I suppose I was somewhat pleasantly surprised.

The main detectives, played by Taye Diggs and Kathleen Robertson, don't initially seem like that great of a combination. She is a single mom who seems to have trouble with even getting a date, and he is married to a dying woman which is putting a lot of strain on his job, and that was primarily the focus of the show. The crime itself seemed to be secondary in nature, which is weird considering the name of the show, but most of time was dedicated to fleshing out the detectives and their lives.

Usually, that would cheese me off; I generally only watch these for interesting homicides and those classic action scenes we all know and love, but this was an interesting change of pace. At the end I found myself wondering if Diggs was going to be alright rather than how their case was going, and I think I can live with that.

I would have given the show higher marks, but I honestly do want to see a bit more action out of this first. Once they pick up the pace a little bit, this might easily turn into a new favorite.

I am really enjoying the new TNT show Murder in the First and can't believe the negative reviews. It's well written, suspenseful, has complex multi-layered characters and is perfectly cast. I have my DVR set every Monday night and can't wait for the next episode.

Taye Diggs and Kathleen Robertson are superb in their roles and Tom Felton and James Cromwell are great as well. James Cromwell is particularly effective playing the seasoned, high-priced defense lawyer. Even the supporting players do a great job in the smallest roles.

It's a perfect show for fans of Law and Order, Chicago PD, Blue Bloods and NYPD Blue. I highly recommend watching this show. Don't believe the negative reviews - watching this show is time well spent and I've been sorry when each episode ends.

My wife and I watch one or two episodes of police procedurals every night. It's the only video we do watch. I usually pre-screen the programs, making sure of a few things we prefer, and seeing how many total episodes there are. When I pre-screened Murder in the First I wasn't sure if I was going to like it, nor my wife.

I started binge watching Murder in the First, then slowly began to like it. It isn't like any other series we've watched. It is a mix of cop show, detective show, courtroom drama, and soap opera. Fortunately there is a balance of these modes.

I'm now viewing the 8th episode of season 3 and wishing the series had gone on for more seasons.

Pros:

• The acting is good
• Direction is good
• Story lines are plausible
• Character building is good

Cons:

• We like programs that are fully contained within one episode. We don't care for formats where the murder mystery persists through several episodes or seasons. Murder in the First does have the format of a single mystery spanning an entire season. In most cases we find this style ends up with a lot of "filler" just for the sake of fitting into a whole season.
• A little too much sex. It simply isn't needed.

Solid cable TV police procedural that takes place with San Francisco as the backdrop. Entertaining and fast paced with believable characters. Some of the standard cop show tropes remain but no TV cop show is without some. Speaking mainly about season 2 which was a bit deeper then season one as part of the season deals with a mass shooting and its effects on a community and at least tries to present a scenario of how or why it would happen. The show does a yeoman's service of unveiling the season's story arc all the while introducing secondary stories that ultimately intertwine with the main season story arc. Its done in a straight forward fashion while avoiding too much predictability. In other words its not an "A,B,C" procedural like "Law and order" but its not a extremely hidden clue mystery like "True Detective" which I think makes the payoff and resolution at the end of the season a lot more satisfying. its a good binge watch (which is how i viewed it) it seemed a lot more satisfying watching it in that fashion. I think the show's "Bochco-isms" are apparent in the way the police struggle with personal issues while they tackle the dilemma of "brothers in blue" versus doing the legal good and how that often still opposes the moral good.

This series follows a single case from beginning to end for each season. It's produced by Steven Bochco, the granddaddy of modern TV cop shows. It lasted 3 seasons on TNT. Terry English (Taye Diggs) and Hildy Mulligan (Kathleen Robertson) are San Francisco police investigating partners. In the first season, they're investigating internet entrepreneur Erich Blunt (Tom Felton) after the deaths of his father and the flight attendant of his private jet.

As a police procedural, there isn't anything ground breaking or anything that Bochco hasn't done himself countless times. Following a single case for the whole season is not necessarily new either. It's good enough for a TV show even thought the genre is saturated. The two leads are capable TV actors but there was a few missteps. They try a romantic subplot which crash and burn. It's a little bit of a struggle but I think they start developing chemistry after they drop the romance. Tom Felton is still not a big presence and he's sometimes overshadowed by the bigger actors. That works sometimes but I think he needs another gear which is still beyond him for now. This promises to be a proficient procedural but not much more.

This is a terribly scripted dreary drama series. it should be cut and shelved immediately after the first episode. And by doing so, TNT and Turner Original Production should fire all people related to this series. Casting was also so poor and disastrous, none of them looked convincing; those male and female inspectors? absolutely a joke! There's no charisma or any attractive strong character in this series that could make the viewers keep watching.

Kathleen Robertson's Hildy Mulligan role is very unconvincing. Her high heel shoes look so dumb and so inappropriate, her satchel on her shoulder looks more like cosmetic arrangement instead of any practical use, both were stupidly and heavily copied from the European mystery drama series, Anikka Bentzon: Crime Reporter.

What a shame, dude.

I really loved this show. I am a Law & Order fanatic and never really find a show that I can compare to it, however I was so in tune with this show, that all week I couldn't wait for the next episode. I really hope they continue this series. I found that the show consistently had a little twist to it. That's what made it very interesting, and although you might have known the way the ending would happen, it still made you wonder right up to the end weather you were right or wrong. I think that all the actors and actresses were superb. I would suggest that anyone that has not seen this series go back and find the repeats on TNT and watch it for yourself. If you like crime shows than this is one I am sure you will enjoy!

Let's just say it: although MitF is not as dynamically captivating as Breaking Bad—in terms of plotting, writing, characterization, and acting, it is every bit the equal of BB. In BB, dynamism is front and center; in MitF, subtlety rules. The producers and writers took a big chance on this season (2015). The first episode was almost an overload in terms of dramatic action. Then the next three or four episodes slowed W A Y down—seemingly. In fact, those episodes were establishing plot points and fleshing out characters in preparation for things to come. Now, as we're getting well into the season, the narrative arc is increasing in intensity with each episode. The smallest bits matter; the finesse is astonishing. Especially masterful is the symmetry between the primary hero, Hildy, and the key villain, Dustin. Both parts are remarkable for their underplayed restraint. Boring? Definitely not. Totally the opposite. This has to be one of the most intelligently crafted series ever on the tube. (Just remember: no good deed goes unpunished.) Jus' sayin'.

Nice and decent series, but not extraordinary, dealing with San Francisco Investigation cops formed by the following ones : Taye Diggs, Kathleen Robertson, Lombardo, Raphael Sbarge and their chief Ian Anthony Dale . All of them put a lot of strain and effort on their jobs. They are diverse detectives who share their passion and commitment to keep the city safe. Along with the prosecution office, formed by Gordon Currie as prosecutor Mario Siletti, Mimi Kirkland , Corey Reynolds as assistant district . A simple killing case is dissected from the committing of the crime through investigation, detention and trial .This is the brighest light cast and the darkest shadows. All lies lead to truth.

Good series in 3 seasons and formed by 32 episodes developing some interesting stories with complex and multi-layered roles .It follows the traditional and functional police procedural in ups and downs. In the first station focuses on a nasty as well as wealthy internet entrepreneur : Tom Felton, as prime suspect of two murders, his father and the flight attendant of the private jet. The following seasons concern several incidents as detective Terry/Diggs kills a fugitive on the run and he is accused, Detective Mulligan/Robertson has cancer and has to cope with the distress, while both of whom fall in love . The main and support cast are pretty good. Stars Taye Diggs as the skillful and obstinate detective Terry English who is married to a dying spouse . And his colleague Kathleen Robertson as Hildy Mulligan , she is a competent police woman, and a single mom with a daughter and who seem to have a lot of problems . They both perform flawlessly and giving compelling interpretations. Other important characters, many of them multi-ethnic roles, are as follows : Currie Graham as a prosecutor who along with his wife, Jamie Lurner, while they're driving, he runs over a pedestrian, being framed for homicide. Veteran and expert police investigators well played by Lombardo Boyar and Raphael Sbarge, and their Inspector Chief played by Ian Anthony Dale who performed this character while shooting Hawaii 5.0 playing Adam. Furthermore, other guest stars such as : Tom Felton, Sara Paxton, Laila Robins, Steven Weber, Richard Schiff, Nicole Ari Parker, Emmanuel Chiriqui, Michael Gaston, Peter Onorati and James Cromwell as the high-prized defense attorney.

Being well created by Eric Lodal and the prestigious creator/producer Steven Bochco. The notorious TV producer and writer Steven Bochco is considered to be one of the best TV showrunners, who has created successful series as LA Law, NY PD Blue, Murder one, MacMillan and wife, Hill Street Blues. And other less successful as Doogie Houser, Gemini man, Cop rock, The name of the game and many others.

Any of the people who gave this less than 8 stars must have a political or racial agenda or just don't like anything. Can't give it 10 stars only because that's reserved for Breaking Bad, but it's really close. Taye Diggs and Kathleen Robertson are both brilliant playing out a superb script. I think one reason some people have an issue with the show is the "one case for an entire season" concept. Viewers with a limited attention span will be put off by the concept of watching a 8 hour or so movie, spread out over a couple of months. If you didn't like it the first time try binge watching over a weekend, you'll be amazed much better the show all of a sudden got. Even if you did like it the first time, watch it again and be amazed by what you pick up and how much more enjoyable it is when you know the characters better.

I stumbled across this show on Hulu. The pilot: kind of interesting. But then everything that followed just got better and better.

It's true that there are some things that are obviously scriptwriter's easy solutions but unrealistic. These are very very few. For the most part, the strength of the series is in the storytelling that pulls in many subplots that involve the viewer emotionally - do you believe in the death penalty? What is good parenting? Should people have romantic relationships in the workplace?

Everyone seems to have an opinion about these issues- few people don't care one way or the other. Whatever you believe, you will feel challenged or vindicated as you see the subplots develop.

Taye Diggs is good in this role. Smooth, so smooth. He's like a velvety mug of chocolate. He plays Terry. His partner on the job, Hildy, is a little like a cup of Tea - warm but slightly astringent. She can be sweet, like that tea. She can be sharp, as when you add a lemon slice to that warm brew.

Together, they make a good team. They are rarely anything but professional as they interact with each other. I am only now watching the last season, so I'm going to make myself a hot beverage and settle in to binge watch!

I find this series compelling, well acted & well thought out. Don't know why others would find it slow or boring. Must be used to sound bites & action hero entertainment. Sometimes a good drama takes time to develop and requires a longer attention span than many are accustomed to these days. The main characters find themselves up against those who are financially powerful, politically motivated & subject to public scrutiny. I find this refreshing & realistic. Taye Diggs is a seasoned actor worth watching.

Yes, the prosecutor missed some obvious points in the trial of Erich Blunt, but the plot is complex enough for a tv procedurql to hold my interest.

I'm trying to figure out this series. I've just started watching, during the second season, starting with "Schitzofrenzy." The stories are OK, but the overall production is NOT "knocking my socks off." And, Kathleen Robertson...who really wowed us in "Boss," seems to be just sleepwalking through the scenes. Is she exhausted…or does she, maybe, need better direction? She is not "fully present." I'm also not crazy about the ample low-life gang lingo. I guess a bit of this enhances the authenticity, but it doesn't do much for me.

So far, we're not seeing James Cromwell—one of our stellar actors today—in this season. Sounds like they need to sneak him into the next episode. Hm, toward the end of the next episode, "Blue on Blue," I'm finding SOME interest arising in me. Yet, the pacing is decidedly languorous, the plot lines seem to lack cohesion. This series is NOT at the level of your usual Steven Bochco product.

I agree with jseymour-23-736835. Boring. I had trouble sitting through it until the end and then the story continues next week! None of the actors brought me in to watch this. I just normally like this type of show. However there was nothing different about this procedural that would make me want to watch. The characters were not really interesting just mundane dealing with the same things we all deal with in real life. Kept waiting for the storyline to pick up but it never did. Location, another big city, is just the standard these days. I liked King and Maxwell that was in this time slot last year and it was canceled. At least it had some quirky characters. I'll be switching the channel and watching Longmire instead after Major Crimes.

I really enjoy this show, all the main characters are believable. I'm not a Law & Order Fan, and I don't compare Murder in the First to it. I like the so called slow pace. A lot of times shows start off so fast you don't a chance to understand the character. I'm only half way through the first season but so far so good. I don't usually care for cop shows, but this one is a winner. I am a Taye Diggs Fan, I liked him as much if not more in this, than some of his earlier works for example, Private Practice and How Stella Got her Groove back. His costar Im not as familiar with, but she does a good job as well. James Cromwell was great as well, I enjoy several of his movies as well, for instance Six Feet Under.