Dick Wolf at it again with new Chicago show
Chicago Justice has the potential to be the best American legal-drama
Dick Wolf is back with the fourth instalment of the Chicago franchise, this time following the prosecutors and investigators at the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office.
Lucky for the non-Chicago-franchise-watchers, you don’t have to watch the others to enjoy Chicago Justice. I did.
The first episode “Fake” is the final part of a crossover that started with the Chicago Fire episode “Deathtrap” and continued into the Chicago P.D. episode “Emotional Proximity”.
Assistant State Attorney Peter Stone, played by Philip Winchester, and Chief Investigator Antonio Dawson, played by Jon Seda, must find all the evidence and the motive for the suspect who was responsible for a warehouse fire that killed almost everyone inside after his confession is deemed false because it was given to an officer who lost his daughter in the fire. Stone is told by his boss State’s Attorney Mark Jefferies, played by Carl Weathers, that he has to win or it could ruin his career forever.
The best part of the show for me is every time Philip Winchester graces the screen. I’ve had heart eyes for him since 2004 when he portrayed Scott Tracy in the live-action Thunderbirds remake.
Winchester brings a strength to the role of Peter Stone that makes him an ideal male lead. He radiates power that attorneys should have.
My love of Philip Winchester aside, with a great cast and great story lines Chicago Justice looks like it will be here for a while.
Joelle Carter, who plays Investigator Laura Nagel, holds her own against Jon Seda, making sure she shines just as much as he does even with his franchise history.
However, Monica Barbaro as Assistant State’s Attorney Anna Valdez ends up fading into the background. I don’t remember what she did throughout the episode. Hopefully she becomes more relevant in future episodes.
Not only is Chicago Justice part of the Chicago franchise, but Dick Wolf has managed to tie it in with his series Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. Peter Stone is the son of Assistant District Attorney Benjamin Stone who was in the first four seasons of the iconic show.
If you’re looking for a good American legal drama that focuses more on the courtroom than the personal drama, check out Chicago Justice.
Chicago Justice premiered in the United States on NBC on March 1 2017. A New Zealand release date hasn’t been set.
