Reasonable Doubt

So many formulas are being tapped into for this glossy but vapid series. Most obvious is the famous Kerry Washington vehicle "Scandal." The sexy business clothes, the amoral behavior. Throw in "Real Housewives" of say- Baldwin Hills, or is this "Sex in the City" of Black Angels? The cast is a talented ensemble that deserves better. The main character, a female lawyer, never does any research, or preparation, but finds time for sexual dalliances the nights before big days in court. And the men in her life are kind of limp. Heck, the estranged husband even hires a bodyguard with whom she cuckolds him. Black women deserve real professional depictions.

So disappointing. Gorgeous,talented cast. Clearly aimed at black viewers. But first, clothes worn to the office are hilariously inappropriate. Great looks, but one can only chuckle at seeing them in the office. Background music with frequent use of N word seems far too contrived. Then the continued use of N word in conversations is actually offensive. If meant to seem real, I must object. My friends of color do not converse in that manner. Trying to get a rise out of the audience? Well, you've done that. And it has turned us off. I anticipate watching another episode and then deciding re continue or not.

There's some nice ensemble work, and all of the actors are quite committed. Set design, costumes, and camera work are all fitting, for the most part.

For me, the weakest link is the writing. It feels pushed. Nearly every scene contains a sense of heightened drama and engaged conflict. To which I say, how about infusing a bit of human awkwardness, fragility, and humorous elements? The script gushes over with hip banter, but it feels like trendiness-on-steroids. It seems like the producers are overextending themselves to prove something. I've watched just one episode, and I'm disappointed to say that I've had enough.

Somehow, the writers and creators of Reasonable Doubt have convinced themselves that the language, behavior, and cultural norms depicted are authentic and unapologetically Black. Um, no.

As an African-American professional in my early 50s, (Same age group as Morris Chestnut), an HBCU graduate, and a product of a middle-class childhood community that was 90% African-American, I don't know a single person who goes around using the N-word or listens to music with lyrics that use the same. We're the Anita Baker generation who love Alicia Keys, John Legend, and jazz.

This show has great plot points and a compelling storyline, but every time the main characters open their mouths and utter that word, their intelligence, awareness, and enlightened personas are discredited and thrown into the garbage. The recycle and repurpose rationalization of the N-word is a ridiculous justification and holds no water.

By contrast, Morris Chestnut's character is great and the epitome of poise, class, sex appeal, and everything the main character and her spouse should portray.

Emayatzi Corinealdi is a phenomenal actress who deserves better material. To the creators, depicting these characters in this light is short-sighted and overshadows your theme, general narrative, and character arcs while showing a level of ignorance not befitting your target audience, which I assume are young Black professionals and not the street gang crowd. Please, do better.

Good plot. Poor execution. Characters are a bit annoying because the AAVE seems forced. The excessive use of n-word, unnecessary vulgarity, & soft porn nature of the drama diminished what this could have been.

Also, the legal portion of the show was more elementary than clever.. it was super basic so I couldn't even fall in love with the main character. Speaking of the main character, whoever styled her couldn't figure out if they wanted her look to be stylish yet conservative versus racy and totally out of regs for a law office. But they did include the quintessential red bottoms * sigh *eye roll.

I'm a Black professional womam who was raised in a poor urban city so I was hoping to connect...I didn't. Not interested in season 2. We deserve better work from Kerry.