Soooooo how many detective shows can there be out there in the creative minds of Hollywood writers? It seems to be an limitless number. Every time a new series hits, I can’t help but wonder if it will be ‘original’. Not that I mind the occasional rehash (when done well), but I like my entertainment to slip outside the realms of the mundane and actually do something like… entertain. With this in mind, I slipped into the first season of the “The Glades”, and when introduced to its hero, Detective Jim Longworth (Matt Passmore), I immediately felt that we had a winner. Seemingly a bit out of his element, Longworth has relocated from Chicago to Palm Glade, Florida where he uses his unconventional methods to solve murders. He doesn’t believe in protocol, which isn’t surprising for a cop accused of sleeping with his boss’s wife and getting shot because of it. (Why else would you get relocated to Florida?)

The overall premise of “The Glades” is a simple one, there are murders and he solves them. But the main character’s devil-may-care attitude is a fun and refreshing take on the typical TV homicide detective and Matt Passmore plays the character to the hilt. While the cases are interesting and clever, the rapport between the characters is what makes the series fun. Kiele Sanchez is Callie, a nurse that catches Longworth’s eye and acts as the ‘sexual tension’ for the show. The fact that she has an estranged husband in prison and a young son somehow seems to keep the two from hooking up, but like all good TV romances, the longer they can realistically stay apart the better the show.

Of course, and good detective needs a team to back him up and “The Glades” give us Carlos Gomez as a medical examiner, Jordan Wall as the examiner’s assistant, and Michelle Hurd as the boss, all of which deliver wonderful performances as they play off of each other.

20th Century Fox is releasing the 1st Season this week on DVD and along with the 13 episodes there are a number of special features, more than I expected for a new series. You’ll find deleted scenes, a gag reel, some behind-the-scenes footage, two featurettes ("Sunshine State of Mind: Casting The Glades," "A Location for Murder: Filming in The Glades"), and two director and cast commentaries ("Pilot," "Exposed").

I like when A&E decides to create original scripted shows, as opposed to ‘reality’ shows, as they rarely disappoint. “The Glades” is no exception. It’s a fun show and I’m looking forward to catching the 2nd season.

Episodes:
Pilot
Bird in the Hand
A Perfect Storm
Mucked Up
The Girlfriend Experience
Doppleganger
Cassadaga
Marriage is Murder
Honey
Second Chance
Booty
Exposed
Breaking 80

Starring: Matt Passmore, Kiele Sanchez, Carlos Gomez, Jordan Wall
Special Features: Unaired Deleted Scenes, Gag Reel, Behind-the-Scenes Footage, Featurettes ("Sunshine State of Mind: Casting The Glades," "A Location for Murder: Filming in The Glades"), Director and Cast Commentaries ("Pilot," "Exposed").
Release Date: 6/14/2011
Studio: 20th Century Fox
www.foxconnect.com

We'll give The Glades: Season 1 a B-.