tadaia As an American I've been a fan of the original since it's beginnings. As soon as I had access to watch the British version I watched seasons 1 and 2 back to back. My first impression was one of admiration for the casting. Frankly I'm not so bothered that the characters are based on like types of the original. What did unnerve me was how poorly the show seemed to be written in comparison. It's really neither compelling or entertaining.I'm not a police officer or a lawyer but I've seen my share of shows centered around such characters. The writing of L&O UK seems almost embarrassingly simplistic and predictable. As well, does the prosecutor (who should be one of the show's champions) ever give the audience the satisfaction of winning a good case... other than the ones he probably shouldn't win? It's almost laughable and the show seems oddly negative and depressing in that respect. My other half lost interest in the 2nd season, and now only sticks a head in the room to giggle and ask if Steele has actually won a decent case yet. Perhaps it is true to English law, but if so I'd hate to live in a society where the only "victims" that seem to get justice are the criminals that claim to have been "victimized".One of the things that's always made the original L&O great is that Jack is not only dogged and highly principled, he is brilliant! The character James Steel has the first two qualities but is sorely lacking in the third. Frankly I'm amazed that he still has a job.I'll continue to watch for a while with hope that the writing will improve. If not perhaps I'll just stick with the original going forward.

ellenbronx We have become huge fans of L&O UK through DVD--we have seen 8 episodes so far and we're very eager for additional seasons to be released in the NTSC format (right now, subsequent seasons are only on PAL). Even though I live in NYC, the outer boroughs are often treated as second class citizens by our cable companies and we do not have access to BBC America, where the series is shown stateside. The rapport and dialogue between the detectives is realistic and entertaining, and it has been a treat to watch the British court system at work (we had to look up the rules/options re: wigs/robes) and are curious that some statements permitted by the attorneys would surely have earned sustained objections in our courts (of course, this is also TV's stretch) The gritty camera-work and neighborhood locations are effective, the adaptations of US episodes have worked beautifully and the acting across the board has been fine. More DVD's please!

TheLittleSongbird I will always have a fondness for the US Law & Order shows, and at first I was not sure whether I would like Law & Order:UK. I thought it wouldn't be paced well and wouldn't adapt easily either, a concern I see is shared by other reviewers. So it was a surprise when it worked superbly. It is grittier than the US series and some of it is even more compelling.At the start there were some slight problems in the dialogue and acting, with some of the writing a tad lumpy and the characters not as well explored as they are now which affected some of the support acting as was to be expected, but it has gotten much better over time. The writing is intelligent and thought-provoking now, and I love the acting of Bradley Walsh, Jamie Bamber and Harriet Walter. The support characters aren't explored as well as the leads, but are acted very well and they and their stories maintain interest.The pacing is quite good as well, it goes at a moderate pace without feeling too quick or slow. And the story lines are just great too, they are compelling and induce thought and I loved the format of half- police investigation and half-trial and that both parts of each episode are written excellently with the courtroom scenes marginally better in terms of acting.The camera-work is what makes the show grittier than its US counterpart, while the lighting and locations have great, atmospheric shades to them and the music never feels over-bearing and the main theme is very memorable. Overall, this is a gritty, compelling and great series. 10/10 Bethany Cox

lumpmike Mixed feelings about this. Good to great actors and the stories aren't better or worse than they were in the American original. But the regurgitation of old episodes is a worse crime than the repetition of old themes in the other L&O franchises. When did writing (more or less) original stories become a thing of the past? At least they could do as the CSI people and pretend. To be honest i'm only half way through the first season and in the second there's apparently some original material. But my biggest concern is the "'ow's it going' guv" English, clearly aimed at the American audience and their perception of British coppers.