Teeth in the Bone

It;s a good start, but....

Overview: Countdown Ep 1 on Prime, a proper adrenaline rush with a few cracks in the pavement.

Jensen Ackles as LAPD copper Mark Meachum is pure class, serving rogue-detective swagger with a cheeky wink. The plot kicks off when a Homeland Security officer gets bumped off in broad daylight, pulling Meachum into a covert task force chasing a city-threatening conspiracy. It's a belter of a hook that grabs you by the collar!

The opening chase through LA's markets is cracking... cinematography so sharp it could cut glass, with a Bourne-esque vibe. Jessica Camacho's fiery DEA agent Amber Oliveras and Eric Dane's stony Nathan Blythe set up a team dynamic with 24 energy, though it's a tad derivative. The pacing is relentless, keeping you glued, but the script stumbles with clunky cop-show clichés and some rushed character intros that feel like they're ticking boxes rather than building depth.

What's got me intrigued? Hints at Meachum's reckless edge and Oliveras' personal demons suggest meatier arcs to come.

Still, the reliance on familiar anti-terrorist tropes and a slightly predictable setup hold it back from greatness. It's not reinventing the wheel, but it's a solid ride worth taking. I'm keen to see where this 13-episode season heads.

If you're after a thrilling night in, Countdown Ep 1 delivers, despite the odd wobble.

7.5/10.

The episode opens with Customs Agent Robert Darden (Milo Ventimiglia) getting killed

His death gives veteran FBI Agent Nathan Blythe (Eric Dane) an excuse to assemble a special task force. There was an indication that Darden was dirty but there could be more to it.

Maverick detective Mark Meachum (Jensen Ackles) has worked with Blyth before. He was undercover in a prison but that assignment has been cut short. He also has a tumour.

DEA Agent Amber Oliveras (Jessica Camacho) is also undercover and she is also a maverick.

They are just two of the members of the task force but Amber really dislikes Mark.

The opener did not have much in the way of a race against clock. The main characters were all stereotypes and it was not that well written.

Blythe tells his newly assembled team to come up with an action plan in an hour. Instead of sitting around and formulating something, Amber tells Mark that she is the friend of the woman he ditched and her sister.

So much for the urgency then!

Omg the writing is so so bad. And the acting is so so bad. Unbelievable. And now I have to add in a few more words because my review is too short. So okay, I think Jensen Ackles should have turned down this job. Or he should have read the script before he signed the contract.

And my review is still not long enough. So, to sum up, script writing bad bad bad, just awful. Acting, bad all around. And who really cares about directing or lighting, but, it was broad daylight and the guy was still in shadow because they shot the actors face from two foot from the ground with the sun behind him! Director: Fired!

Once i watch a few minutes of the first episode i was already hooked this is an action packed show badass cast members ten out of out so worth to watch I am on my tenth rewatch. I have been a fan of Jensen since 2014 and he wasn't lying when he said that there was going to have action on the show it's so good im addicted to the show. Congratulations to the cast and crew countdown has won my heart and i can't wait for the new episodes I am hoping and praying countdown gets more seasons cause lord it's so freaking good I need more of countdown right now I made my family watch it as well and they are so hooked as well.

I really enjoyed being able to really get to know the characters in depth in this first episode, while knowing we still had a few more more episodes to figure out more about why the task force was created.

Also I wasn't expecting the music to be so incredible as well!

By the way can we talk about how great Eric Dane looks in a tailored suit? He sure commands a room!

Each of these characters are badass, badass, badass!

It's what I want & expect from these actors and the writer/creator Derek Haas. The helicopter arrival of Blythe had my heart racing just getting excited to see what unfolds. Filming on the streets of L. A. was also incredible.