Rosewood
Created by:
Todd Harthan
2015-
Drama
Fox
TV-14
At the beginning of “Rosewood,” yet another in a long line of medical and crime procedurals on television, Morris Chestnut is on a run with his shirt off. This isn’t simply to showcase a fit guy without a shirt on; it’s the way that Todd Harthan, the creator of this series, ensures that we see a scar that runs down the center of his chest. Dr. Beaumont Rosewood, Jr. (Chestnut) has had some sort of cardiac surgery. We’re supposed to wonder what happened to him to cause that. You may not be able to watch long enough to find out.
Rosewood is a private pathology consultant. (He has a billboard that tells us so.) He’s the kind of guy who thinks he’s as smooth as butter. Of course, he has his reasons for behaving this way. (Don’t forget about his health troubles.) In addition, he’s a doctor who’s drawn to solving homicides, much to the chagrin of Police Captain Hornstock (Domenick Lombardozzi). He meddles in police affairs, but he’s brilliant. So, who cares? (House, anyone?) All of this leads him into the presence of Detective Annalise Villa (Jaina Lee Ortiz). After all, every procedural needs a male-female duo nowadays. Of course, Rosewood and Villa have a combative relationship from jump. She has plenty to hide; he has nothing to hide. She resents his presence (or pretends to, at least); he enjoys her resistance. She’s tough as nails; he’s … suave.
So, “Rosewood” has a concept that’s nothing new, which means that it must be executed rather well to succeed. It’s not, so it doesn’t. While the actors are game, the presentation is too sterile to excite. Simply choosing Miami as a location and playing Latin music won’t automatically spice things up. The writing still has to be good. But, in this case, the writing’s laughable. One example is when Rosewood first meets Villa. He says, “Why don’t you dig a little deeper and then call me when you’re ready to get serious? Professionally, of course.” Harthan has the nerve to echo that line later on. And there’s worse than that, if you can believe it. This material’s derivative to the point of nausea. Where’s the heat?
Instead of being cool, “Rosewood” is annoying. Its shifts in tone don’t work, and its serious moments are eye-roll inducing. If you want to watch something like this, check out “Burn Notice.” At least, it doesn’t try so hard.
Verdict: Somewhat Bad
About: (Source: rosewood)
Morris Chestnut plays Dr. Beaumont Rosewood Jr., the top private pathologist in Miami who has a knack for finding secrets in bodies that others usually miss.
