Crimefile Reviews: The Chicago Code

Los Angeles, CA—How do you do a TV show about the inner-workings of the Chicago Police Department? The answer is, you can’t.

The Chicago Code’s creator, Shawn Ryan instead created a strange parallel universe that has the look of a fantasy CPD. The actors are too pretty and well groomed to be the real thing. Don’t get me wrong there are pretty cops in Chicago that care about their appearance but they make a much smaller percentage of the department. Frankly, Chicago cops for the most part need a serious glamour makeover.

Having Jennifer Beales as police superintendent Colvin, is great for this entertainment effort. She looks so cute in her Superintendent’s field cap indoors. Wearing the cap indoors looks so out of place until you think about the different rules of feminine fashion dictate where women wear hats indoors unlike men. In today’s real life women all but stopped wearing hats and too many of today’s men wear ball caps while they eat in restaurants. A cop serving at an indoor security post should wear the cap. Cops addressing the City Council should not.

Here the story line begins when Superintendent Colvin begins by biting the very hand that fed her. Targeting the powerful Alderman, played by Delroy Lindo as a suspect in a major homicide investigation would not happen in Chicago, ever.

The intense, Prima Donna detective played by Jason Clark is an interesting character as he changes partners like his underwear. Seeing a Superintendent targeted for a hit is unheard of and sensational to say the least. I can’t deny this is entertaining. The acting is top quality and the characters are rich.

I have to say Chicago has never looked better in film and the Chicago cop props are first rate and authentic. This cannot be taken as reality even if they try and rip stories from actual Chicago headlines.

All things considered this show should be a hit series and employ lots of Chicago actors for a good run. I enjoyed the pilot show and hope the writers can sustain the momentum.

If only the men and women of the Chicago Police Department would try and compete with sharp uniforms, great hair and makeup of this parallel universe.

If only my agent could get me a recurring role in this show as a corrupt Cook County judge this series would really rock! Yes, I’d like to get my fingers into the writing and producing of this too.