On Call

On Call follows the police force in Long Beach, California and all they have to go through protecting and serving the community. It mostly follows a pair of police officers (Trojan Bellisario and Brandon Larracuente) as they respond to call after call on their daily shift. I have to say that I really enjoyed this even more than I expected too. I was just looking for a show to kill some time with and what I found is one of the better cop shows I've seen this year. It's too gritty for network tv so don't expect a show like the ones you see all the time. This is a raw and believable show on what cops have to go through on a daily basis. The episodes are short at a half hour apiece but they pack plenty of excitement in that half hour.

I wasn't in Long Beach, but I was a CA street cop and this show catches the tone, cross-talk and culture well (so far, I'm halfway through the series). There are very few shows that accurately do that (two others being Bosch and Southland). But unlike those shows, it's only 30 minutes.... one of the few cop dramas I've seen in a 30 minute format since Adam-12, and I like it.

It follows a trainer and trainee unit, Officer Harmon and Officer Diaz (Troian Bellisario and Brandon Larracuente) patrolling in Long Beach, CA. You have the usual drama you've seen on COPS that comes from responding to patrol calls, plus the rookie needing to apply the academy to real life, conflicts of cultures and work eras.

When Harmon and Diaz are told to stand by and observe street drifters at an intersection, the rookie is frustrated at the inability to do anything. The show has the "old-school" cops that remember being able to react to a crime, not just observe. Sergeant Lasmen and Officer Barlowe (Eric LaSalle and Mac Brandt). LaSalle is always great as a competent, but endlessly frustrated by the system, employee (which he mastered on ER). There are tidbits he brings to the character, like a quick swig from a non-labeled baby-blue bottle never addressed, but anyone that's had heartburn will recognize as antacid. LaSalle also directs most the episodes.

Brandt's Officer Barlowe feels a bit darker. He's reminding me of a character from a Joseph Wambaugh book. Officer Barlowe's handling of a homicide body part had a hint of Rosco Rules from The Choirboys.

If you enjoyed Bosch and Southland, you should like On Call. If you don't like those shows you should still check this out because at only 30 minutes it's quick and you might find something else on the show that works for you.

I really enjoyed this, binge watched the entire season in one run. Lots of Southland vibes (although not as good in my opinion), and nice to see a strong female lead who isn't some ridiculous looking femme fatale, a stereotype which Hollywood still seem to struggle with.

However I do think it got a little action movie toward the end, the last few episodes seemed rushed and some shootout screnes a bit too wild west. Harmon's old training officer came across very wooden on screen, not the best acting and the interactions between the two seemed very out of place compared to other performances such as the in car scenes where Harmon and Diaz are talking.

Overall a great watch but I think they need to push a little further in season 2 for this one to stick around.

Been waiting for a cop drama that could be close in comparison to Southland and Bosch...two of the best! Four episodes in and this show has delivered! Between the body worn camera views and in-car camera footage, the action scenes, it leaves you with and End of Watch/ Southland feel after each episode! So far, no corny, unbelievable investigations, seen on many police shows today, which has been nice to see! Hope it gets the traction it needs to stay around for a few seasons, and new cast members are brought in to continue the storyline. Was upset when Southland left, but this show has brought back those great episodes!

This is a lot like Southland, yet there are considerable differences. The character development is quick, and pretty much centers on the training officer and the rookie, both of whom have a lot of baggage. There are quite a few predictable scenes, but the surprises outnumber those. No police procedural is anything like real law enforcement. But that's entertainment! In the end, the series is definitely worth watching, and I enjoyed it enough to binge watch it in one day with the excuse that it was cold outside. I'm certainly hoping there will be further seasons! I will be watching for it and waiting!