Just about perfect in its way--always fun, well-paced--and much, much better than UPN's failed models drama South Beach. [1 May 2006, p.39]

The first two episodes of season 3 are reassuringly grounded in believable intrigue. [7 Oct 2013, p.49]

The show's saving grace is that as the weeks go by, the characters begin to grow on you. That has more to do with the actors' animation than it does with the rimshot writing.

The show is a lusty soap opera that aspires to the pulsating, cutting-edge glamour of Cate Blanchett's Elizabeth. It's a little ham-fisted for that. [2 Apr 2007, p.37]

This likable silly series has entertainment value. [8 Apr 2013, p.42]

These joined stories never forge into one strong plot, but there's always Duvall. [3 Jul 2006, p.35]

If you look past them, at their star projects and their own homes and offices, you can see that their tastes are impeccable and inarguable. [13 Jun 2011, p.46]

Joe Mantegna and Mary Steenburgen are fine as Joan's parents, but the series shouldn't go out of its way to play up the dad's role as small-city police chief. Keep the emphasis on God's plan, not man's law.

Collar's odd-couple tension tugs the show in entertaining directions. [13 Jun 2011, p.46]

Emily Deschanel is well cast as Brennan--she has the right sort of drained, remote presence, as if still working off last night's sleeping pill--and she's also well cast against David Boreanaz. [19 Sep 2005, p.45]

Promising ... Like [Out of Sight's Jennifer] Lopez, Gugino is a looker who can be tough, but she makes the character more open, more alive.

While the show's humor can be raunchy or even cruel, the voice work is pure unruffled deadpan. [18 Jan 2010, p.42]

If even a few good performances lock into your vision, you perk up. In this new comedy about friends in various stages of relationship envy and regret, there are two: James Van Der Beek and Zoe Lister-Jones. [7 Apr 2014, p.45]

A lot of momentum is lost having the lovers live 60 miles apart.... But the tender wrap-up will leave the waterworks flushed and refreshed. [9 Sep 2013, p.42]

The humor has a light, convivial burble. [26 Mar 2012, p.45]

The series that strains our nerves and our credulity returns with more hour-by-hour suspense, and amazingly it still works.

Katie Leclerc is instantly, sunnily appealing as Daphne....Vanessa Marano is fine as the other misplaced kid, except she's a sulker and sort of a drag. [13 Jun 2011, p.48]

A slight, bright, British caper. [16 Dec 2013]

The show is light with sharp baby kicks of meanness. [5 May 2014, p.46]

Defenders at least has a sure grip on its tone. [8 Nov 2010, p.40]

Hilariously peculiar.

A smoothly executed vehicle for Rebecca Romijn and Jon Tenney, it knows exactly what it's doing, [16 Jun 2013]

[Steve Buscemi's] appearance is the occasion for exposition that's not as smooth as we'd expect from this extraordinary series. Yet the season premiere has moments so compelling that you'll be irresistibly drawn back into the family business.

Once you grow accustomed to the trash talk, however, the series draws you deeper and deeper into a little world where the law holds no sway and right is trodden in the mud.

Bloods isn't groundbreaking, but there are hints of a deeper scandal woven into the solid plot. Worth checking out. [25 Oct 2010, p.39]

The series has developed its own original rhythm, each week breaking cases down into unexpectedly punchy vignettes. The cast is excellent. [6 Dec 2010, p.50]

The acting is what keeps the show addictive--particularly good is Julia Stiles. [29 Nov 2010, p.44]

[The new women are] all promising, if too polite, to take on Ramona....Luckily, previews indicate they all end the season quaking and screaming. [11 Jun 2012, p. 44]