The Firm Television Show: A Legal Drama Lacking Bite

And speaking of mobsters, they continue to pose a threat to Mitch, determined to eliminate him. This contradicts the film’s conclusion, where Mitch achieved a truce with the mob while avoiding witness protection. The premiere episode attempts to reconcile this discrepancy through a series of jarring, revisionist flashbacks in the first 10 minutes.

Having exhausted their creative energy on these logical leaps, the writers seem to have little left for the weekly plot. The storyline is remarkably weak and implausible, even by the standards of a TV legal drama. Mitch is compelled by a well-intentioned judge to defend a teenager accused of a schoolyard murder. Upon learning that the deceased student’s father intends to hire a hitman to target his young client, Mitch takes a questionable course of action. Instead of contacting the police, he enlists his brother to impersonate a hitman and solicit the job. This far-fetched scenario would likely leave the writers of “The Good Wife” wondering why they hadn’t thought of it first.

Mr. Lucas, known for his role opposite Patrick Dempsey in “Sweet Home Alabama,” delivers a performance that is competent but lacks passion. He portrays Mitch with a blandness that fails to ignite the screen. The talented Ms. Parker, recognized for her portrayal of Alma Garret in “Deadwood,” is unfortunately confined to a role that appears uninspired and underwhelming. Callum Keith Rennie, known for his work in “Battlestar Galactica,” seems to be the standout performer as Mitch’s brother, Ray. Unlike David Strathairn’s portrayal in the film, Mr. Rennie convincingly embodies a character capable of manslaughter.