The Mysteries of Laura

Debra Messing is a person who plays quirky characters. Some viewers will never like her. She isn't deadpan, she isn't mean (see: House). She is however good with her timing and a good actress. The show's premiere was a bit weak but still enjoyable but this is typical of pilots/premieres - you have to be introduced to characters. However, over the last two episodes, the characters settled down into their roles and the 3rd episode was wonderful. Critics - as usual - will loathe a show that doesn't fit a specific mold and to be sure, this show doesn't. They hated many other successful shows such as House for Hugh Laurie being "too mean". We all ended up loving him. If this show is given that chance, we will also grow to love the characters. People expect blockbusters for pilots and this is why so many shows fail, but if these shows go for blockbusters, they leave for the show not maintaining that hype or never introducing them.

So my review is to watch the 2nd to 3rd episodes and watch the season progress, it definitely got better after episode 1. Pilots are almost never anyone's favorite shows. Even Friends pilot was panned. Unfortunately, as of right now - with all the critics headlines of "BAD SHOW!" (some of which who admittedly only saw commercials... how do they get those jobs if they aren't watching the shows?), the outlook is a bit bleak.

This show will need lots of social media and fans to overcome those headlines and the iffy pilot.

Great job NBC, Debra Messing, cast and crew!! In this genre of homicide detectives in New York City, it is REFRESHING, to get done with a long day and have a new cop drama that has the humor and simplicity to include the realities of how most of us try to get by. It isn't meant to be another deep, dark, and serious everyone pull out their guns kind of drama with all the characters in the show going through some kind of mental breakdown each new season. In the pilot and the second episode, it wasn't at all easy to figure out the mystery, so it is also fun to see where the story does lead. So, I say give this show a chance, catch up on it, and sit back for some laughs.

I will add the disclaimer that I have always loved Debra Messing. She has a comedic energy that for me, is reminiscent of Lucille Ball and Debbie Reynolds. Cop shows are usually dark and melodramatic, so I find the slightly comedic tone of "Mysteries of Laura" to be refreshing.

The series is certainly not meant to be realistic, which seems to be something critics take issue with. It's also not a screwball comedy like "Brooklyn Nine Nine." Mysteries is somewhere in between a comedy and a serious cop drama. In that way it reminds me of certain comic books.

Debra Messing brings her charming, quirky attitude to this show and I don't think anyone could pull this character off like her. I love Laura and the idea of a "super mom" trying to save the day and keep her family together. It's a great metaphor for single moms trying to provide for their family and have the career they love. With a little ass kicking on the side.

In one sentence: It's not a show you will hate, but unless you are a hardcore Debra Messing's fan you won't like it either.

It's an action comedy (supposedly), about a soon to be divorced police woman with two rebellious little kids, who is tough, and tries to balance her professional life with her personal ordeals.

There is a crime to solve, and the criminal is very elusive, but you won't feel any actual mystery. It is overwhelmed by the little gags and the little personal dramas of the protagonist.

The show it's not really funny either.

Messing is presented as a tough, like Dirty Harry tough, police woman who wears a ...raincoat and doesn't give a crap about police procedures. She drinks alcohol on duty, she eats over the dead bodies at the morgue, and... well...you get it. There aren't any scripted jokes in the show so far. No one-liners or catch phrases. If you think that the awkward smile of Messing after she returns an ...$385 bathing suit she just used in a swim-pool party is funny, than you may like this show. For others I think it's a waste of time. And it's a long time! Each episode lasts 42 minutes (I was expecting a 21 minutes show).

Overall: Not to be hated, but I think it's time wasted.

First of all, this show is a comedy. Some reviewers don't seem to realize that.

Those who criticized the performance of the kids in the pilot have a point. They were over the top. But that is a very small part of the show; in the second episode, the kids barely show up.

But Debra Messing is very enjoyable in this show. Imagine Kate Beckett without Castle. It's the same type of light comedy mixed with real crime mysteries. Even when Laura is mixing it up with suspects, she is adorkable and fun to watch.

She wants to get her soon-to-be ex out of her life, but they work together, so she must endure his personality on a daily basis. This seems somewhat trite, but they pull it off. Her other coworkers are quirky, so the tone remains light. I enjoy it.

Update 10/31/14: Now that we have seen a few episodes of this new show, it is consistent in its humor, while presenting actual crime solutions. But this is not "Elementary", so don't expect much more than light fare. Robert Klein just appeared as Laura's father--a great casting coup!