MovieChat Forums > Flashpoint (2008) Discussion > Easily one of the best police dramas

Easily one of the best police dramas

posted 10 years ago by ursidae-1
17 replies | jump to latest

This show is outstanding in every dimension. It is much better than most at engaging me in the storyline. Storylines are right out of today's headlines. While being Canadian, it doesn't seem distant or foreign to us here in the US. Continuing plot lines are realistic and not "Hollywood". Outstanding cast! Having been around law enforcement all my life I think that the directors and actors really found the battle rhythm they go through and the brotherhood they live.

My guilty pleasure: I love the "whoop-whoop" klaxon that sounds when Team 1 gets a call and is told to "gear up". Geez I wish I could get an audio file for my iPhone for that. LOL

[–] Jeneral28 10 years ago

Yes exactly. US police dramas are all guns blazing, kill suspects and maybe either hostages and that's it. A bit of guilt and it moves on. Look at crazy fictional police Team like H50. That's not policing. Flashpoint is. Unfortunately, most US audiences want the guns, brawns and gore.

[–] christiannyblom 10 years ago

I say both have their place. Sometime I want the realistic stuff like Flashpoint and Southland. Other times I just want mindless action for simple entertainment. I think Hawaii FIVE-O server that purpose just fine.

[–] Jeneral28 10 years ago

Then you can join them.

[–] Zebra 3 10 years ago

I say both have their place. Sometime I want the realistic stuff like Flashpoint and Southland. Other times I just want mindless action for simple entertainment. I think Hawaii FIVE-O server that purpose just fine.

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[–] Asteri-Atypical 10 years ago

I'd have to think about "THE best", but I'll absolutely agree, without hesitation, it's up there and among the best.

I was genuinely saddened when the series ended. That rarely happens with me and TV any more. Most of the time either I'm "eh" when a show ends, or it's deteriorated to the point by cancellation that it was kind to put it out of its misery.

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[–] Jeneral28 10 years ago

same feeling here...

[–] christiannyblom 10 years ago

Personally, I think THE best is Southland. But unlike Flashpoint, Southland didn't get a proper ending. It was cancelled. Which made me even more sad when it ended than when Flashpoint ended.

[–] Jeneral28 10 years ago

Never watched Southland.

[–] christiannyblom 10 years ago

I recommend you do. It's great! Well written and with an awesome cast.

[–] The_Blu_Ray_Penguin 10 years ago

Check out The Wire if you haven't already. It is the highest rated police series of all time and rightly deserves the title. It deals with all aspects, the police/gangs/city hall and politics.Its Iis basically the breaking bad of police type shows. It should fit the bill nicely for you if you havent seen it yet. Its available on HBO on demand.

[–] Phylum22 8 years ago

I have watched 4 of the first season. EVERY ONE has been a hostage situation. Obviously it's the only scenario the writers can come up with. So far, definitely not impressed. So repetitive.

Oh, guess what, 5th is a hostage situation, how refreshing!

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[–] TesubCalle 8 years ago

Sorry if the scenarios are boring to you.

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[–] LookinGood 8 years ago

EVERY ONE has been a hostage situation.

True. But if they had done "real-life" stories, we'd have a string of take-downs of hardened, armed criminals (afaik, most of the situations the German SEKs have to deal with, are exactly that). Kick down the door, scream a bit, drag the perp out the door. No negotiations.

I thought that the first episode was brilliant. first 20 minutes you have the same-same cop drama with some guy going crazy and the police arriving to stop him. Then the sniper gets the order to fire and suddenly the focus is on him for most of the last 20 minutes. That was what kept me watching.

And, just a tip: That case from the first episode will come back to haunt Ed (just sayin', not telling more :-) )

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[–] ZinQ 8 years ago

I have changed my opinion totally, ended up loving it, and am totally, hopelessly in love with Spike!

[–] TesubCalle 8 years ago

Even though Spike started off as a "supporting" character with not much to do or say other than his role as the team tech geek, fans quickly embraced him; and he ends up getting some really meaty story lines.

That's cool your opinion about the show has changed. What was it that convinced you it wasn't as bad as you might have initially thought?

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[–] greenegg 8 years ago

I first caught up with Flashpoint when it started airing on ION. I was hooked after a few episodes. I understand what you mean about the hostage situations, but that is so much of what the SRU does. The fascination lies in the way they deal with each one. It's all about "connect, respect, protect." Each team member comes at it a bit differently, and they sometimes disagree; yet, come thick or thin, the team stays together. I found that aspect captivating. The final two episodes make me choke up every time.

This series is in my top ten for all-time cop shows, along with Homicide: LOTS, Law and Order (all three in the franchise), The Closer, Major Crimes, NYPD: Blue, Criminal Minds and a few others.

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[–] Rat_27 8 years ago

Canadia is the least foreign country I can possible think of. Except for French Canada. That place is foreign as *beep*. It's even foreign to Canadians.