The Glades

With a show like this--a show about a super-smart, super smart-alecky police detective--it's not about the concept, it's about the execution. The characters. The actors. And The Glades looks like a winner on those counts.

With enough chemistry between its stars to power a DuPont lab and a wise use of off-the-beaten-path South Florida shooting locations -- it goes for a fetid swamp over South Beach every time -- The Glades is thoroughly enjoyable.

[Matt Passmore's character's] devil-may-care attitude may sometimes verge on annoying, but ultimately gives the serious premise a welcome light touch.

All this is to say, simply, that Passmore is an intriguing screen presence who holds a well-constructed if otherwise boilerplate cop show together.

There's little in the setup you haven't seen before or, given TV's proclivities, won't see again. But Passmore does a good job of making his character seem intelligent and a bit maddening without letting him become obnoxious.

I will, however, admit to being surprised by the pilot's ending, something I took as a sign that The Glades might be a fun spot to spend some summer Sundays.

The payoff, alas, proves a little too pat to be wholly satisfying, but the fun is in watching Longworth stagger around this somewhat novel setting.

Ultimately, though, your feelings about Passmore will determine whether or not you cotton to The Glades. The show rides on his personality, which I found likable enough.

He is kind of irritating.... but Passmore largely pulls it off, in part by making the character a bit daffy; he just can't help himself. And the producers surround him with jerks and dweebs and men less handsome or clever than himself to ensure that he's the person with whom we identify and whose opinions we share; the plot conveniently supports his genius.

"Cool," says he, as, most likely, will all sorts of viewers from 12 to 92 who are looking for a pleasant way to pass a late-evening hour at the end of a summer weekend.