Prime Video’s ‘On Call’ Puts a New Spin on the Cop Drama With Limited Success: TV Review

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In the United States, law enforcement remains a divisive issue and profession, but police dramas such as “Blue Bloods,” “The Rookie,” and “Chicago P.D.” are among the most watched TV shows in the drama genre. With their latest Amazon Prime Video series titled “On Call,” creators Tim Walsh and Elliot Wolf extend the vast Dick Wolf universe, marking their first scripted streaming production. The story revolves around veteran trainer Tracie Harmon (Troian Bellisario) and her rookie trainee Alex Diaz (Brandon Larracuente), as they tackle diverse emergencies in Long Beach. From its very start, “On Call” tries to flip the script of conventional cop procedurals, but in striving to break free from the conventions that make Dick Wolf’s shows so endearing, “On Call” falls short of reaching its full potential.

On his inaugural day at Long Beach Police Department’s West Side Division, Officer Diaz is teamed up with a hard-boiled veteran, Officer Harmon, who isn’t particularly well-liked by her colleagues – particularly old-school Sergeant Lasman, portrayed by Eriq LaSalle and also contributing off-screen. The newly formed duo embarks on their duties, attending various calls such as drug overdoses, domestic disputes, mental health crises, and homicides. “On Call” primarily focuses on the routine events in a police officer’s shift, but it also aims to provide insights into the department as a whole. A recent event has left the police force and the community they serve uneasy and at odds with East Barrio, an increasingly volatile local gang.

The primary concern regarding “On Call” lies in its episode duration. Instead of the usual hour-long episodes, each installment is only 30 minutes or shorter. This brevity results in insufficient time for comprehensive character development and meaningful dialogue, leaving supporting characters as mere stereotypes. Consequently, viewers are left with ambiguities instead of clear resolutions to their questions. Furthermore, certain aesthetic choices made in the series are quite jarring. While the direction, primarily by Eriq LaSalle, is generally satisfactory, the frequent use of body camera perspective and the monochrome color scheme that pervades the entire series seem odd. Initially, the switch to body camera view seemed innovative for storytelling. However, its excessive use and lack of contribution to the plotline detract from the audience’s immersion in the show’s narrative. Moreover, the show’s color grading does not enhance its sense of realism.

Instead of “On Call” potentially being more impactful as a full-length movie or an hour-long series episode, Episode 5, titled “Not Your Savior,” stands out as exceptional. In this installment, the palpable mistrust and tension between Diaz and Harmon is evident, and a harrowing predicament they face serves to underscore the genuine terror and dread associated with their profession, making it difficult to maintain effectiveness over time.

Beyond her strong acting skills, Bellisario sometimes struggles to convincingly portray a hardened police officer. It’s important to note that Harmon is limited by the script, with few opportunities for growth or development. Furthermore, contrary to expectations, Lori Loughlin’s character, Lieutenant Bishop, doesn’t have a significant presence in this series.

The show ‘On Call’ occasionally stumbles, yet manages to deliver a poignant portrayal of the psychological impact that persistent encounters with violence, death, and disorder have on law enforcement personnel. Though Harmon skillfully separates his work from his feelings (mostly), Diaz grapples with self-control and emotional regulation. Unfortunately, only brief glimpses into the officers’ private lives are given. To fully convey their human side, it would have been beneficial to see them in their civilian attire. Furthermore, by providing more space for exploration, the writers could have delved deeper into the intricacies of the East Barrio gang and its organization. Instead, dialogues often rely on worn-out phrases like repetitively using ‘woke’ when discussing reforms, and residents frequently refer to their neighborhood as ‘the hood.’

As a movie enthusiast, I’d say “On Call” immerses you into the grind of daily police work – the endless calls, paperwork, and the myriad of life-or-death decisions that come with it. However, by confining its characters and viewers to this particular shift, the drama could have been more impactful. Instead of delivering an engaging perspective, the series feels tense and at times monotonous, like a relentless workday. Since we never get a break from the job, there’s not much incentive to tune in for the next episode.

The eight episodes of “On Call” premiere on Jan. 9 on Prime Video.

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2025-01-09 17:17