R.J. Decker - Pilot
The "Pilot" episode of R.J. Decker feels every bit a mid-season replacement that was taken out of the oven a bit too soon. A bit overstuffed, the episode introduces us to former news photographer R.J. Decker (a scruffy Scott Speedman) who is sent to jail after attacking an influential rich man's son attempting to rob him. His trip to the big house is hastened by the the man's sister Emi (Jaina Lee Ortiz) whose perjury seals the deal. Although all of this is referred to, the only pieces we see on-screen are RJ's last day in court, sleeping with Emi, and seeing her testimony send him off to prison.
When the episode picks up the ex-con now working as a private eye (can felons really get PI license?). A new case leads to an old one with Decker trying to take down the man woh murdered a friend prior to his arrest. Along the way we'll also get introduced to his ex (Adelaide Clemens) and her current wife (Bevin Bru), interactions with his former cell mate (Kevin Rankin) who runs a bar, and the return of a guilt-ridden Emi who helps him with his case who apparently will stick around as a potential love interest.
Decker is presented as a good guy with some bad breaks trying to rebuild his life. Getting the emotionally-charged case out of the way first is certainly going against the grain for most series of this type. I had mixed feelings towards this episode, although I wonder what a more straightforward case of the week for Decker and his odd collection of supporting characters might look like.
- Title: R.J. Decker - Pilot
- IMDb: link
