[REVIEW/RECLIST] Western TV Shows 2.0: Crime-themed
I have watched a lot of crime-related shows over the years that I think they need to have their own post. Hehe.
Comment/message me if there is a typo, misinformation, etc. so that I could edit it ASAP.
I honestly think that only the US, UK, and Russia can pull off interesting, convincing, and arguably realistic crime-related shows because they have such strong justice systems and/or intelligence agencies.
I have watched K-dramas that centers on mystery/crime, but they just come out as romantic-comedies with inept deduction skills.
Anyway, moving on...
Disclaimer: Images are from Google. Technical information are from Wikipedia/IMDb. Only the reviews and my opinions are mine.
1. Monk
Network/Channel: USA Network
Genre: Crime/Mystery/Drama/Comedy
No. of Seasons: 8
Status: COMPLETE
First Episode Aired: July 12, 2002
Last Episode Aired: December 4, 2009
IMDb Rating: 8/10
Review: Monk is the series that got me watching all these crime shows in the first place. The unique quirks and phobias Monk has is enough for you to crack up. He has catchy phrases such as "you'll thank me later" and "here's what happened" that makes you look forward to the next episode. The series ended in its prime, but I somehow feel that it lost its way around the middle and was forced to put back on track towards the end. Nevertheless, Tony Shalhoub did a wonderful job portraying an obsessive compulsive ex-cop-turned-private detective who is eternally in love with his late wife.
2. House M.D.
Network/Channel: FOX
Genre: Medical Drama/Comedy/Mystery
No. of Seasons: 8
Status: COMPLETE
First Episode Aired: November 16, 2004
Last Episode Aired: May 21, 2012
IMDb Rating: 8.9/10
Review: House is portrayed as a very complex yet simple character: the character develops yet it doesn't. You'll understand what I'm saying when you watch it. I learned that autoimmune diseases can be cured by steroids and that House is an ass!
[[SPOILER ALERT] Click to open.]This gif succinctly describes every House episode ever.
FUN FACT: House and Wilson were inspired by Holmes and Watson so House also lives in apartment 221B. :)
3. Psych
Network/Channel: USA Network
Genre: Crime/Mystery/Drama/Comedy
No. of Seasons: 8
Status: COMPLETE
First Episode Aired: July 7, 2006
Last Episode Aired: March 26, 2014
IMDb Rating: 8.4/10
Review: I know what you're thinking: Who believes in psychics (at least in police investigations) nowadays? But Spencer and Gus, the hilarious duo, managed to pull it off flawlessly. The absurdity of their actions proves to be right time and time again.
FUN FACT: James Roday and co-star Maggie Lawson became a couple through the show since 2006! /UGH FEELS/
4. Castle
Network/Channel: ABC
Genre: Crime/Mystery/Drama/Comedy
No. of Seasons: 7
Status: ONGOING
First Episode Aired: March 9, 2009
IMDb Rating: 8.3/10
Review: Famous author meets detective -- that's something you don't see very often. Castle mellows out the seriousness of the show with his witty, corny, and (more often than not) absurd theories while being ruggedly handsome. But at the same time, he knows when to tone done his childish antics.
FUN FACT: The Heat series, the books Castle have written in the show, may be bought in bookstores! How awesome is that?!
5. Bones
Network/Channel: FOX
Genre: Crime/Mystery/Drama
No. of Seasons: 10
Status: ONGOING
First Episode Aired: September 13, 2005
IMDb Rating: 8/10
Review: The Squints and the FBI team up to solve unsightly murders. This is not for the weak heart (and stomach!), but the cool gadgets are something to look forward to. This show has been running for 10 seasons and clearly there is a reason for that. They have battled against numerous murderers and serial killers to psychopaths; now, I feel that the writers are having trouble coming up with something fresh to the point that the overarching plot towards the latter season is just there to add drama.
[[SPOILER] FUN FACT!]Carla Gallo, who plays one of the Squinterns named Daisy, gave birth on screen!
6. The Mentalist
Network/Channel: CBS
Genre: Crime/Mystery/Drama
No. of Seasons: 7
Status: COMPLETE
First Episode Aired: September 23, 2008
Last Episode Aired: February 18, 2015
IMDb Rating: 8.1/10
Review: Patrick Jane is a former "psychic" out for the blood of Red John, the serial killer who killed his wife and child. In my opinion, this series should have ended when the Red John arc was over. Or at most, extended by one season to see the aftermath. It remained highly interesting during the Red John arc, but turned dragging towards the last few seasons.
7. Perception
Network/Channel: TNT
Genre: Crime/Mystery/Drama/Psychological
No. of Seasons: 3
Status: CANCELED
First Episode Aired: July 9, 2012
Last Episode Aired: March 17, 2015
IMDb Rating: 7.5/10
Review: A neuroscience professor struggling with schizophrenia works with the FBI to solve crimes. The premise is also quite unique and some episodes are mind-boggling because it's filmed through the eyes of Daniel Pierce. I was super sad when this show got axed, especially when the plot starts getting more interesting. :( I really hate it when series end without a conclusion of sorts.
8. Numb3rs
Network/Channel: CBS
Genre: Crime/Mystery/Drama
No. of Seasons: 6
Status: CANCELED
First Episode Aired: January 3, 2005
Last Episode Aired: March 12, 2010
IMDb Rating: 6.9/10
Review: FBI agent works with genius mathematician younger brother to solve crimes. It is not as technical as it sounds because the FBI agents aren't geniuses so Charlie has to come up with easy-to-understand analogies for us common people. This show may have been cancelled but it had some sort of conclusion to tie things up.
9. Lie To Me
Network/Channel: FOX
Genre: Crime/Mystery/Drama
No. of Seasons: 3
Status: CANCELED
First Episode Aired: January 21, 2009
Last Episode Aired: January 31, 2011
IMDb Rating: 8/10
Review: The Lightman Group is an institution that works with the government and private parties to solve cases by reading facial micro-expressions. Apart from the almost indecipherable British accent of Tim Roth, I really liked this show. The premise and execution keeps me at the edge of my seat. I liked the first two seasons more than the third, but I still didn't want to see this go.
10. White Collar
Network/Channel: USA Network
Genre: Crime/Mystery/Drama
No. of Seasons: 6
Status: COMPLETE
First Episode Aired: October 23, 2009
Last Episode Aired: December 18, 2014
IMDb Rating: 8.3/10
Review: Two words for people to watch this: Matt. Bomer. You know that the network is just finishing the show by having a six-episode final season. Well, I'll take that over being canceled any day.
11. The Listener
Network/Channel: FOX/NBC/CTV
Genre: Crime/Mystery/Drama/Fantasy
No. of Seasons: 5
Status: CANCELED
First Episode Aired: March 2, 2009
Last Episode Aired: August 18, 2014
IMDb Rating: 8.3/10
Review: A paramedic that can read people's minds work with the police to solve murders. This series opened with the mystery of Toby Logan's mother, but it ended quietly without mention of the mother during the last seasons. Those blue eyes though. asdfghjkl.
12. Veronica Mars
Network/Channel: The CW/UPN
Genre: Crime/Mystery/Drama/High School/Teen
No. of Seasons: 3
Status: CANCELED
First Episode Aired: September 22, 2004
Last Episode Aired: May 22, 2007
IMDb Rating: 8.4/10
Review: I'm a Marshmallow. This series speaks to me out of all the ones I've listed here. It was a perfect mixture of teen drama for my YA heart and crime and mystery, the genre that I really watch. Although it was cancelled with only three seasons, the Veronica Mars Movie continued the journey.
13. The Blacklist
Network/Channel: NBC
Genre: Crime/Mystery/Drama
No. of Seasons: 2
Status: ONGOING
First Episode Aired: September 23, 2013
IMDb Rating: 8.2/10
Review: A list of murderers, psychos, and terrorists that no intelligence agency in the world knows? The FBI would surely be interested in that. The cliffhanger for every season makes you want to keep watching. Oh and the actor is James Spader who played Ultron, in case you didn't notice.
14. Sherlock
Network/Channel: PBS/BBC
Genre: Crime/Mystery/Drama
No. of Seasons: 3
Status: ONGOING
First Episode Aired: July 25, 2010
IMDb Rating: 9.3/10
Review: Two words: Benedict. Cumberbatch.
15. Elementary
Network/Channel: CBS
Genre: Crime/Mystery/Drama
No. of Seasons: 3
Status: ONGOING
First Episode Aired: September 27, 2012
IMDb Rating: 7.9/10
Review: CBS made an American version of Sherlock. They took a slightly different approach with the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle classic: Watson is a woman. /gasps/ [SPOILER]It is still unclear whether or not this is for a future love line between Holmes and Watson. Oh! Also, Irene Adler and Moriarty are one person. /MIND BLOWN/ Sherlock is still better though, imho.
16. iZombie
Network/Channel: The CW
Genre: Crime/Mystery/Drama/Sci-Fi
No. of Seasons: 1
Status: ONGOING
First Episode Aired: March 17, 2015
IMDb Rating: 8/10
Review: Zombie apocalypse, anyone? It is still in its first season so let's see how this goes, but definitely not for the weak stomach. So far, I'm liking this, especially with Bradley James [SPOILER](ugh why did you have to die!!) appearing.
17. Person of Interest
Network/Channel: CBS
Genre: Crime/Mystery/Drama/Sci-Fi
No. of Seasons: 4
Status: ONGOING
First Episode Aired: September 22, 2011
IMDb Rating: 8.5/10
Review: A show that made all our paranoia that much more concrete. Every single episode increases in intensity and the latest season was the best one yet.
Comment/message me if there is a typo, misinformation, etc. so that I could edit it ASAP.
I honestly think that only the US, UK, and Russia can pull off interesting, convincing, and arguably realistic crime-related shows because they have such strong justice systems and/or intelligence agencies.
I have watched K-dramas that centers on mystery/crime, but they just come out as romantic-comedies with inept deduction skills.
Anyway, moving on...
Disclaimer: Images are from Google. Technical information are from Wikipedia/IMDb. Only the reviews and my opinions are mine.
1. Monk
Network/Channel: USA Network
Genre: Crime/Mystery/Drama/Comedy
No. of Seasons: 8
Status: COMPLETE
First Episode Aired: July 12, 2002
Last Episode Aired: December 4, 2009
IMDb Rating: 8/10
Review: Monk is the series that got me watching all these crime shows in the first place. The unique quirks and phobias Monk has is enough for you to crack up. He has catchy phrases such as "you'll thank me later" and "here's what happened" that makes you look forward to the next episode. The series ended in its prime, but I somehow feel that it lost its way around the middle and was forced to put back on track towards the end. Nevertheless, Tony Shalhoub did a wonderful job portraying an obsessive compulsive ex-cop-turned-private detective who is eternally in love with his late wife.
2. House M.D.
Network/Channel: FOX
Genre: Medical Drama/Comedy/Mystery
No. of Seasons: 8
Status: COMPLETE
First Episode Aired: November 16, 2004
Last Episode Aired: May 21, 2012
IMDb Rating: 8.9/10
Review: House is portrayed as a very complex yet simple character: the character develops yet it doesn't. You'll understand what I'm saying when you watch it. I learned that autoimmune diseases can be cured by steroids and that House is an ass!
[[SPOILER ALERT] Click to open.]This gif succinctly describes every House episode ever.
FUN FACT: House and Wilson were inspired by Holmes and Watson so House also lives in apartment 221B. :)
3. Psych
Network/Channel: USA Network
Genre: Crime/Mystery/Drama/Comedy
No. of Seasons: 8
Status: COMPLETE
First Episode Aired: July 7, 2006
Last Episode Aired: March 26, 2014
IMDb Rating: 8.4/10
Review: I know what you're thinking: Who believes in psychics (at least in police investigations) nowadays? But Spencer and Gus, the hilarious duo, managed to pull it off flawlessly. The absurdity of their actions proves to be right time and time again.
FUN FACT: James Roday and co-star Maggie Lawson became a couple through the show since 2006! /UGH FEELS/
4. Castle
Network/Channel: ABC
Genre: Crime/Mystery/Drama/Comedy
No. of Seasons: 7
Status: ONGOING
First Episode Aired: March 9, 2009
IMDb Rating: 8.3/10
Review: Famous author meets detective -- that's something you don't see very often. Castle mellows out the seriousness of the show with his witty, corny, and (more often than not) absurd theories while being ruggedly handsome. But at the same time, he knows when to tone done his childish antics.
FUN FACT: The Heat series, the books Castle have written in the show, may be bought in bookstores! How awesome is that?!
5. Bones
Network/Channel: FOX
Genre: Crime/Mystery/Drama
No. of Seasons: 10
Status: ONGOING
First Episode Aired: September 13, 2005
IMDb Rating: 8/10
Review: The Squints and the FBI team up to solve unsightly murders. This is not for the weak heart (and stomach!), but the cool gadgets are something to look forward to. This show has been running for 10 seasons and clearly there is a reason for that. They have battled against numerous murderers and serial killers to psychopaths; now, I feel that the writers are having trouble coming up with something fresh to the point that the overarching plot towards the latter season is just there to add drama.
[[SPOILER] FUN FACT!]Carla Gallo, who plays one of the Squinterns named Daisy, gave birth on screen!
6. The Mentalist
Network/Channel: CBS
Genre: Crime/Mystery/Drama
No. of Seasons: 7
Status: COMPLETE
First Episode Aired: September 23, 2008
Last Episode Aired: February 18, 2015
IMDb Rating: 8.1/10
Review: Patrick Jane is a former "psychic" out for the blood of Red John, the serial killer who killed his wife and child. In my opinion, this series should have ended when the Red John arc was over. Or at most, extended by one season to see the aftermath. It remained highly interesting during the Red John arc, but turned dragging towards the last few seasons.
7. Perception
Network/Channel: TNT
Genre: Crime/Mystery/Drama/Psychological
No. of Seasons: 3
Status: CANCELED
First Episode Aired: July 9, 2012
Last Episode Aired: March 17, 2015
IMDb Rating: 7.5/10
Review: A neuroscience professor struggling with schizophrenia works with the FBI to solve crimes. The premise is also quite unique and some episodes are mind-boggling because it's filmed through the eyes of Daniel Pierce. I was super sad when this show got axed, especially when the plot starts getting more interesting. :( I really hate it when series end without a conclusion of sorts.
8. Numb3rs
Network/Channel: CBS
Genre: Crime/Mystery/Drama
No. of Seasons: 6
Status: CANCELED
First Episode Aired: January 3, 2005
Last Episode Aired: March 12, 2010
IMDb Rating: 6.9/10
Review: FBI agent works with genius mathematician younger brother to solve crimes. It is not as technical as it sounds because the FBI agents aren't geniuses so Charlie has to come up with easy-to-understand analogies for us common people. This show may have been cancelled but it had some sort of conclusion to tie things up.
9. Lie To Me
Network/Channel: FOX
Genre: Crime/Mystery/Drama
No. of Seasons: 3
Status: CANCELED
First Episode Aired: January 21, 2009
Last Episode Aired: January 31, 2011
IMDb Rating: 8/10
Review: The Lightman Group is an institution that works with the government and private parties to solve cases by reading facial micro-expressions. Apart from the almost indecipherable British accent of Tim Roth, I really liked this show. The premise and execution keeps me at the edge of my seat. I liked the first two seasons more than the third, but I still didn't want to see this go.
10. White Collar
Network/Channel: USA Network
Genre: Crime/Mystery/Drama
No. of Seasons: 6
Status: COMPLETE
First Episode Aired: October 23, 2009
Last Episode Aired: December 18, 2014
IMDb Rating: 8.3/10
Review: Two words for people to watch this: Matt. Bomer. You know that the network is just finishing the show by having a six-episode final season. Well, I'll take that over being canceled any day.
11. The Listener
Network/Channel: FOX/NBC/CTV
Genre: Crime/Mystery/Drama/Fantasy
No. of Seasons: 5
Status: CANCELED
First Episode Aired: March 2, 2009
Last Episode Aired: August 18, 2014
IMDb Rating: 8.3/10
Review: A paramedic that can read people's minds work with the police to solve murders. This series opened with the mystery of Toby Logan's mother, but it ended quietly without mention of the mother during the last seasons. Those blue eyes though. asdfghjkl.
12. Veronica Mars
Network/Channel: The CW/UPN
Genre: Crime/Mystery/Drama/High School/Teen
No. of Seasons: 3
Status: CANCELED
First Episode Aired: September 22, 2004
Last Episode Aired: May 22, 2007
IMDb Rating: 8.4/10
Review: I'm a Marshmallow. This series speaks to me out of all the ones I've listed here. It was a perfect mixture of teen drama for my YA heart and crime and mystery, the genre that I really watch. Although it was cancelled with only three seasons, the Veronica Mars Movie continued the journey.
13. The Blacklist
Network/Channel: NBC
Genre: Crime/Mystery/Drama
No. of Seasons: 2
Status: ONGOING
First Episode Aired: September 23, 2013
IMDb Rating: 8.2/10
Review: A list of murderers, psychos, and terrorists that no intelligence agency in the world knows? The FBI would surely be interested in that. The cliffhanger for every season makes you want to keep watching. Oh and the actor is James Spader who played Ultron, in case you didn't notice.
14. Sherlock
Network/Channel: PBS/BBC
Genre: Crime/Mystery/Drama
No. of Seasons: 3
Status: ONGOING
First Episode Aired: July 25, 2010
IMDb Rating: 9.3/10
Review: Two words: Benedict. Cumberbatch.
15. Elementary
Network/Channel: CBS
Genre: Crime/Mystery/Drama
No. of Seasons: 3
Status: ONGOING
First Episode Aired: September 27, 2012
IMDb Rating: 7.9/10
Review: CBS made an American version of Sherlock. They took a slightly different approach with the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle classic: Watson is a woman. /gasps/ [SPOILER]It is still unclear whether or not this is for a future love line between Holmes and Watson. Oh! Also, Irene Adler and Moriarty are one person. /MIND BLOWN/ Sherlock is still better though, imho.
16. iZombie
Network/Channel: The CW
Genre: Crime/Mystery/Drama/Sci-Fi
No. of Seasons: 1
Status: ONGOING
First Episode Aired: March 17, 2015
IMDb Rating: 8/10
Review: Zombie apocalypse, anyone? It is still in its first season so let's see how this goes, but definitely not for the weak stomach. So far, I'm liking this, especially with Bradley James [SPOILER](ugh why did you have to die!!) appearing.
17. Person of Interest
Network/Channel: CBS
Genre: Crime/Mystery/Drama/Sci-Fi
No. of Seasons: 4
Status: ONGOING
First Episode Aired: September 22, 2011
IMDb Rating: 8.5/10
Review: A show that made all our paranoia that much more concrete. Every single episode increases in intensity and the latest season was the best one yet.