APB Television Show: A Modern Take on Crime Fighting
The Apb Television Show offers a fresh perspective on the often-formulaic cop drama genre. This FOX series introduces cutting-edge technology, including drones and a revolutionary crime-reporting app, to the streets of Chicago, revitalizing police work in the 13th District.
The series centers around Gideon Reed, a tech billionaire portrayed by Justin Kirk, who witnesses the tragic death of a friend during a robbery. Driven by frustration with the police’s delayed response, Reed takes matters into his own hands. He invests in the underfunded 13th District, implementing his innovative technology to revolutionize crime fighting. The cast includes Natalie Martinez as Detective Theresa Murphy, Ernie Hudson as Captain Ned Conrad, and Caitlin Stasey as Ada Hamilton, the skilled technician managing Reed’s technological arsenal.
APB TV Show: Blending Burn Notice with Scorpion
Series creator Matt Nix, known for the spy drama Burn Notice, draws parallels between the worlds of espionage and law enforcement in APB. Both professions, he argues, require social engineering and problem-solving through specialized knowledge and ingenuity. While Nix isn’t involved with Scorpion, he acknowledges similarities between the shows, specifically in their focus on rapid technological solutions to immediate problems. The fast-paced evolution of technology makes the premise of APB believable, where new tools are developed quickly to address specific criminal challenges.
Gideon Reed: A Tony Stark for Law Enforcement?
Comparisons between Gideon Reed and Tony Stark are inevitable. Both are wealthy, brilliant, and driven to use their resources for good. While Kirk brings his own unique interpretation to the role, the similarities are undeniable. Director Len Wiseman describes Reed as a hybrid of Stark, Elon Musk, and Bill Gates. Nix openly admits the influence of Iron Man on the series, exploring the question of what a real-world Tony Stark dedicated to fighting crime might look like.
Grounded in Reality: APB’s Technology Today and Tomorrow
Wiseman emphasizes the show’s commitment to realism, ensuring the technology depicted is either currently available or in development. Consultations with futurists and engineers informed the show’s technological landscape, highlighting the potential benefits of applying advanced technologies to police work. This focus on real-world applications distinguishes APB from pure science fiction, raising questions about why existing advancements aren’t already being utilized in law enforcement.
From Tragedy to Transformation: The Evolution of APB’s Narrative
The personal tragedy that motivates Reed wasn’t always central to the story. Earlier versions of the pilot explored different catalysts for his involvement in the 13th District. Kirk mentions previous iterations where a stranger’s death spurred Reed’s actions. Ultimately, the personal connection to the victim solidified the narrative, highlighting Reed’s desire to channel his wealth and expertise towards a tangible, altruistic purpose.
Realism vs. the “CSI Effect”: APB Tackles the Truth About Policing
APB confronts the disparity between the idealized portrayal of police work in popular media and the reality of underfunded precincts. Nix draws from personal experience, recounting a robbery where the police lacked the resources seen on shows like CSI. This real-world inspiration underscores the need for a figure like Gideon Reed, who bridges the gap between technological possibilities and the practical limitations of law enforcement.
The Double-Edged Sword of Technology in APB
The series doesn’t shy away from exploring the potential downsides of technology. Kirk emphasizes the importance of showcasing instances where Reed’s innovations backfire, demonstrating the ethical complexities and unintended consequences that can arise from technological advancements in law enforcement.
APB’s Crime-Fighting App: Addressing the Potential for Abuse
The APB app, designed to streamline crime reporting, faces potential misuse. Wiseman acknowledges the risk of prank calls and criminal manipulation, raising questions about how to prevent false alarms and strategic misdirection by perpetrators. Nix explains that the app incorporates algorithms to identify and filter prank calls based on various factors like timing, location, and patterns. The series directly addresses these challenges, highlighting the need for safeguards against malicious exploitation of the technology.
Beyond the Gadgets: Gideon Reed’s Evolution in APB
While Gideon Reed primarily functions as the mastermind behind the technological upgrades, the series hints at his eventual involvement in fieldwork. Kirk teases his character’s foray into the streets, suggesting a gradual shift from a purely strategic role to a more hands-on approach to crime fighting.
The Science of APB: Separating Fact from Fiction in Tech Development
The APB writing team is committed to grounding the show’s technology in scientific plausibility. Nix shares an example of a rejected idea: a handheld X-ray device capable of scanning shipping containers. He explains the scientific inaccuracies and dangers associated with such a device, emphasizing the show’s dedication to realistic portrayals of technological capabilities. This commitment extends to exploring alternative technologies, such as sonar, to address specific investigative needs.
Innovative Applications of Technology in APB: Reimagining Crime Solving
APB showcases creative uses of technology beyond standard crime-solving procedures. Nix highlights an episode involving a high-tech crime at a tech conference, testing Gideon Reed’s abilities against a sophisticated adversary. Another episode explores the use of advanced biofeedback technology to enhance interrogation techniques, drawing on the expertise of a former Army interrogator on the writing staff. This focus on innovative applications of technology reinforces APB‘s commitment to pushing the boundaries of crime fighting.
