pgachamp2012 It's definitely different. I'm tired of the same old shows being called new because they changed that one guys name. The CSI's, NCIS, 24 and all that. It starts to mix together because they're all the same show with a different cast and a slightly different background. It's always New York, or LA etc (The Bridge is filmed in LA)...The producers/writers/directors were creative, developing complex characters, numerous sub plots, etc...It's wildly unique story lines set it apart from the basic crime show. The setting moves back and forth across the border from El Paso to Juarez. Of the lead characters, one is a borderline psychotic, white detective that obsesses over the brother of the man that killed her sister. She is an emotionally paralyzed, unfiltered, "Robocop" incapable of sympathizing with anyone or any situation no matter what the circumstance. Conversely, staring opposite of her is the non stereotypical Mexican officer battling his demons while trying not to lose his better judgment. His character becomes more complex when his family is targeted by a killer with a vendetta. Ruiz' constant opportunities to abandon his morality in the midst of a corrupt system leave you wondering if a flip to the dark side is inevitable (it happens). The polarizing temperament the two characters and the wild differences possible between two bordering cities represent both the literal and figurative significance of The Bridge. As the show progresses, you'll realize some of the very differences make "the bridge" become intertwined. My favorite part of the show is the multiple sub plots that branch off the main plot. I get bored easily so I need confusion to keep watching any show for more than 20 minutes. Each sub plot has s common element with each other and a creative connection to the main deal. In a lot of episodes they'll throw in someone fighting themselves. Each character is developed and described to a t. It's like a sub sub plot. The outcome of the sub sub plot throws a wrench in one of the sub plots. The sub plots are all connected by the mutual main plot. You do have to pay attention to everything. In any given episode the smallest action may cause a seemingly irrelevant reaction that may end the show. It seems confusing but the writer makes connections that make sense. I just appreciate the attention to the smallest details, and the ability to write a scene that makes sense from every angle is mathematical. I like how the show plays with the exhausted good verses evil battle but really resides somewhere in the middle. We always pull for the good guys over the bad guys, and what-not. 95% of TV shows today paint us a vivid picture, allowing viewers to easily separate the black from the white, hero from villain, etc. The Bridge doesn't have a distinct right and wrong side. There is no black and white. The confusion is more like a sketchy mixture in the middle than clear opposites. Introducing the "in-between" area is a refreshing twist. Unlike the cliché-ridden programs we're used to, certain critical decisions aren't as easy as right or wrong. The fact is, the majority of humans (at least Americans) are inherently lazy; consequently, a precedent catering to the majority became normal and is used as a template for networks wanting quantity/quality ratings. Hence, the clean cut CSI good guys do what they need to do to find the bad guy. Sorry to get off topic, but people giving bad reviews because they're afraid they may have to form their own opinion.

AudioFileZ n the new world order of television it is extremely common for various domestic TV markets to have a re-make of a program original to another country/market. That said, why not a re-make of re-make, or a third-generation re-envisioning of an original already re-made once (is there a fourth generation re-make already?).I didn't see the original Swedish/Danish production entitled "The Bridge", but I did see the French/British re-make called "The Tunnel". The Tunnel was quite good and very slow to reveal the real plot. It was hugely inhabited by the pairing of two quite different detectives from two closely situated countries known to have plenty of their own culture differences. Sounds like a perfect template for yet another, this time American, re-make with the U.S. and Mexico as the geographical "ground-zero". Yes?Yes, most definitely. Could two countries be closer physically, yet in denial of their common problem, i.e., the fact they are practically joined together by a less than well-secured border? And so, the idea of two murder victims of which only half of each, a bisected upper torso with the lower torso of a different victim, being purposely placed on each countries divisional line works well using El Paso's and Juarez's Bridge of the Americas. Perfect, unless someone blows it. And, of course, there are many ways in which that can happen.Four episodes in and it appears the writers/producers didn't blow it. In fact, even seeing the joint French/British excellent production does little to water down a very good story with most elements pretty much lifted yet transformed.Diane Kruger plays Sonya Cross, a El Paso detective who is so dis-enfranchised from common human emotions as to seem as if she dropped in from another planet. Clemence Posey's portrayal for the "The Tunnel" is certainly hard to follow and it appears Kruger has used it wisely to create her own version in which comparison is not a problem. In fact, she does the role total justice as if she really is disaffected to some unnatural degree (i.e. in real life).. The Mexican detective Marco Ruiz, played by Demian Bichir, has a bit more latitude in that The Tunnel's counterpart Karl Roebuck, played by Stephen Dillane, is more of the common man beset by everyday problems and weaknesses. Bichir's Ruiz character retains much good and, again, transforms the role as befitting the geographical and cultural differences. The always dependable character actor Ted Levine grounds these two as the officer in charge overall.So, The Bridge is off to a fantastic start in yet it's third incarnation. This time the newspaper reporter, who plays a vital role, is fleshed out even more to good effect. The theme of illegal immigration and it's assorted crimes underpin things for a shadowy murderer seeking to make a big statement. This should be good indeed, we shall see.

ligonlaw There is a lot to like about The Bridge, which explores the problems for law enforcement on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border near Juarez. The facts of life in Juarez are chilling. In 2011, there was a murder every 4 or five hours, round the clock every day of the week. Almost all murders were unsolved. The violence of the drug cartels and the corruption of public officials would be hard to exaggerate. The Bridge understates the violence and suggests corruption while providing a good Mexican detective who does not take bribes and is a good partner for the American cop. The TV pilot begins with a heavy-handed murder. A woman is found dead on the border, but it turns out she is two halves of two different women. Half of a body is in Mexico, and another half is in the United States. The viewer can compare and contrast the law enforcement styles of the two countries. Mexican law enforcement is overtly corrupt. Diane Kruger plays an extremely dysfunctional American detective. She has a complete inability to behave or react in a human way. It is a stretch to believe that she would be able to handle the responsibility of being a detective. It has been said that she depicts a person with Asperger's Syndrome. She is surrounded by a wonderful cast, and her performance might be less difficult to assimilate if she were more of a background character. I have seen a few episodes, and I plan to watch them all.There are already many moving parts and lots to look forward to. It's good TV.

purrlgurrl What is very good about the show:1. Diane Kruger is doing her best work. 2. Demian Bichir. You can't take your eyes off him even when he's only on the periphery of the action. He's that good. 3. The chemistry between Kruger and Bichir. 4. Ted Levine. 5. Matthew Lillard. 6. Annabeth Gish. 7. A great Hispanic cast. 8. Recurring cameos by Lyle Lovett. 9. The context is the real-world tragedy of hundreds of young women going missing in Juarez. 10. A fascinating glimpse at life in US-Mexico border towns.What's not so good:1. The murder in the pilot is still hanging, but I suspect it will resurface. 2. What looked to be a very wrong change in story direction mid-season. However, by the end of the season it seems maybe this several episode shift was to provide additional motivation for Bichir's character. Nevertheless, the plot shift went on for too many episodes and almost tanked season one.Thankfully, Fox has ordered a second season. Here's hoping the producers now give the storyline some serious TLC because this show has enormous potential to be one of the great ones.