Murder One

Anthony LaPaglia makes a strong entrance as gritty James Wyler. [10 Oct 1996, p.47]

Born-again Murder One has what makes a hit: terrific script, slick production, great casting and a charismatic star. [10 Oct 1996, p.1]

Swift and smart, Murder One is a true guilty pleasure. You won't find many on TV this season. Indulge yourself. [10 Oct 1996, p.E1]

This new version of Murder One is not as taut as the original. But it is more focused. And even though it lacks Stanley Tucci and his mesmerizing performance of last season, it has a strong cast and the occasional clever gambit, most notably Ralph Waite, the fine actor still best known as Papa Walton, depicting a subtly menacing power behind the urban scenes. I've seen the first two episodes. I'm hooked.

Murder One remains a fine legal thriller with a robust, well-observed appreciation for the egotists who are drawn into the web of splashy criminal trials.

The opening plot has some cracks, but none that can't be stepped over in an hour that is often transfixing and has you looking forward to the next episode. [9 Oct 1996, p.F1]

In his quest to make Murder One - whose fans last season were passionate but few - more "user friendly," Bochco hasn't dumbed it down a bit. [10 Oct 1996, p.6G]

Murder One survived on appeal after approaching cancellation. It makes a great case for itself tonight. [10 Oct 1996, p.8E]

What remains is the Bochco trademark: intelligent writing and good acting, which give the characters a richness that is appealing and deep, even if the courtroom is the real star. [10 Oct 1996, p.C1]

Law & Order has survived drastic cast changes, but can Murder One pull off the same trick? Judging from 'Chapter One' of the second season, the verdict is a definite maybe.

Without Mr. Benzali and archvillain Richard Cross (Stanley Tucci), and without last season's meticulously unfolding story, year two of Murder One is not groundbreaking. It's just another solid TV drama. But because the action moves more quickly, it might draw more viewers. [10 Oct 1996, p.1C]

So it's up to LaPaglia to assume the mantle of leadership. And talented as he is, he's no Benzali. [10 Oct 1996, p.3C]

In tonight's first episode of the new season, the head lawyer and star of the show is AWOL, so his employes simply invite in a substitute to take the boss' place. The plan defies all logic, but it's blithely and blatantly executed in one of the most clumsily conceived and poorly executed attempts ever made at saving a troubled TV show. [10 Oct 1996, p.E-1]

Murder One no longer has that sick kinship to reality. Last year's plot was eerie, uncomfortable, and brilliant, because the plausibility of a movie star standing trial for murder was constantly validated by O.J. Simpson's...By contrast, the election-year plot of a governor assassinated with his mistress, allegedly by an ex-mistress, is treated with anticlimactic, almost ho-hum gravitas in tonight's Murder One. Not even a show as fine as this one has been has the credibility to get away with that. [10 Oct 1996, p.D6]