AMC’s Breaking Bad returns this weekend for eight more episode, and hot on its heels comes new drama Low Winter Sun, which casts Mark Strong and Lennie James as a pair of Detroit detectives who murder a fellow cop and then attempt to cover up their wrongdoing. It’s a remake of a 2006 British miniseries in which Strong played the same character (albeit with a different accent), and is yet another entry in a long succession of police dramas featuring characters with questionable morals.
The first episode is largely expository, showcasing the crime itself and the ensuing investigation, which happens to coincide with an Internal Affairs inquiry into the deceased’s recent activities. The performances are solid, with Strong particularly effective as a man haunted by the decisions he’s made and distrustful of his defacto accomplice, but the dialogue could have benefited greatly from a bit of polish – as it stands, it comes across as a bit generic.
By the end of the first episode, there’s more than enough unanswered questions that should motivate viewers to tune in again, but it’s difficult to gauge how much longevity will be found here. Neither of the main characters are particularly likeable, and does the audience really want to see two crooked cops get away with committing the type of heinous crime they’re suppose to be preventing? Hard to say, but I’ll be sticking around for another episode or two.
The Good:
Great performances. An intriguing premise.
The Bad:
Another show about cops with something to hide. Very heavy on exposition. Dialogue could’ve been stronger.
The Verdict:
Low Winter Sun definitely feels like it fits into the AMC family, but its unlikable characters and melancholy atmosphere may not resonate with a large percentage of the viewing audience.
★★★☆☆