Shark is a series built of clichés, from the title on down. I’m sure the producers probably wanted to name the lead character Sebastian Shark. Thankfully, they stopped short and went for Stark instead.
The show starts with Stark in court, where he gets a client who’s murdered his wife scot-free. Shortly thereafter, he is shocked to discover the man has killed again. He clearly never watched L.A. Law or Boston Legal or… you get the idea.
After spending a month of remorse at home, he’s contacted by the Mayor. The mayor wants him to head up a new high-profile prosecution team under the D.A., played by Jeri Ryan.
Accepting the position, he finds he’s been burdened with the misfits of the District Attorney's office. For their first case they will be prosecuting a wholesome pop star accused of murder. Early on, Stark gives them his three rules of trial law:
1. Trial is war - second place is death.
2. Truth is relative - pick one that works.
3. In a jury trial, there are only 12 opinions that matter.
It’s soon clear that, while he may now be on the side of the angels, Stark hasn’t changed his methods.
With the exception of Sarah Carter as Madeline Poe, the rest of the group has little presence and appear to have been cast on looks rather than acting ability. Not that Ms. Carter isn’t easy on the eye, but she also wants attention, while the others seem content to be part of the furniture.
Jeri Ryan is fine in the relatively minor role of District Attorney Jessica Devlin (at least in this episode). It’s clear from the scenes they have together the producers are looking for a will they/won’t they kind of sexual chemistry between Stark and Devlin, but James Woods is hardly your standard leading man and it doesn’t really come off well.
Article comments
1 - annette
I'm afraid you are right about early cancellation
if James Woods Is the only reason to watch Shark.
I will be watching,
hoping to see Jeri Ryan do something more than glare and frown.
2 - Brent McKee
T correct a mistake the client that Stark got off at the start of the pilot episode wasn't accused of murdering his wife. He was accused of attmepting to murder his wife. Stark argued that "all" he was doing was beating his wife and that when he realised how badly he had hurt her he called 911 and took care of her until the ambulance arrived, therefore he was not guilty of the charge of attempted murder. The man's wife actually thanked Stark for getting her husband off. That's why he was so remorseful a week later when the man beat his wife to death.
3 - Ian Woolstencroft
Thanks Brett for pointing out my goof, although this does make me wonder why Mr Stark has such a high reputation. He’s defending a guy who’s accused of attempted murder and the supposed victim is on the side of the defence! Some hotshot lawyer, I could probably have got him off.
It seems the series was even weaker than I thought.
And Annette, after playing a Borg for so many years I think Ms Ryan may have forgotten how to show her emotions.
4 - Joan Hunt
Congratulations! This article has been selected for placement on Advance.net
5 - Cancer Man
I think with Woods being such an assclown all the time and giving me lip, I too would be glaring and frowing all day.