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PILOT REVIEW: Vegas

VEGAS










Starring: Dennis Quaid, Michael Chiklis, Carrie-Anne Moss, Taylor Handley, and Jason O'Mara

Created by Nicholas Peleggi and Greg Walker
Written by Nicholas Peleggi and Greg Walker, Directed by James Mangold

Vegas is a new period drama from CBS set in 1960 Las Vegas when casinos were going up and replacing the once rugged frontier. The show is very loosely based on a real life figure, rancher Ralph Lamb (Dennis Quaid) who became Sheriff. He contends with mob boss and casino owner Vincent Savino (Michael Chiklis) who has underhanded methods of getting his way. Rounding out the main cast is Assistant DA Katherine O'Connell (Carrie-Anne Moss), Ralph's brother, Deputy Jack Lamb (Jason O'Mara), and Ralph's son Dixon (Taylor Handley).

THE GOOD: I really liked a lot about Vegas. I loved period pieces and this one really sets the tone of 1960s Las Vegas and the contrast between the rising casinos and crime associated with them and an old western town. I'm not someone who notices every little thing, but it seemed like the sets and costumes were very time period specific which helps keep a viewer in the era. The centerpiece to the show and its strongest point is the two leads (Quaid and Chiklis) and the dynamics between the two. It is great to have Dennis Quaid on TV and his steely and understated portrayal of Ralph Lamb seems like a very appropriate interpretation. He had some real slick moves all the while staying cool as a cucumber. This is common for protagonists in procedurals but Quaid does it with an element of charisma that isn't always seen. Chiklis is also great as the dirty mob boss. They didn't have many scenes together in the pilot but I can see this being a great rivalry between the two as they each try to stay one step ahead of the other. The show also blended a "case of the week" with some of the larger story which can be hard to do in a pilot.

THE BAD: It seemed like the biggest complaint about this show going in and since its Tuesday premiere is that it drags. There is certainly an element of truth to that. The show lost me a few times as I found myself drifting away from caring. It managed to pull me back a couple times which is good but if it wants to win over a casual fan, that can't be happening. The show can't get bogged down too much. The cast was really solid but I couldn't really get a grip on Jason O'Mara. Either they didn't pay much attention to his character from a writer's standpoint or he wasn't sure what to do with the role. There's time and he's not the main character but it's something I hope the writers were develop more.

BOTTOM LINE: Ratings results showed that Vegas skewed really old but I really liked it despite the fact that it's not for my demographic. I think this is a case where an all-star cast elevates the material. The show has more promise than last year's quickly departed (but not terrible) The Playboy Club and the glitzy but boring Pan Am. With the procedural aspect to the show, audiences might be able to pick up on Vegas without being lost. It would be nice for the 60s show to find a few more fans who aren't in their 60s.
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