Police drama ‘Flashpoint’ debuts

Fri., July 11, 2008

By MIKE HUGHES Gannett News Service

Tonight’s must-see

“Flashpoint” debut, 10 p.m., CBS.

In downtown Toronto, a gunman has taken a hostage. Police, scrambling to find a translator, are helpless.

Their top snipers (played by Hugh Dillon and Amy Jo Johnson) seem calm and competent. So does their leader (Enrico Colantoni), a negotiator. Still, there may be no solution.

Unfolding is a first-rate drama hour, with Canadian roots that show up in good ways.

One is the energetic, European-style camera-work. David Frazee, a well-regarded cinematographer, directed.

Another is the mix of quiet and sensitivity. We’ll like meeting these people each week.

Tonight’s might-see

“Stargate Atlantis” season-opener, 10 p.m., Sci Fi.

Richard Woolsey (Robert Picardo) has been on the Oversight Committee. Now he takes charge of the Atlantis.

Others return, including Joe Flanigan as Lt. Col. Sheppard. Col. Carter (Amanda Tapping) and Dr. Beckett (Paul McGillion) will be in some episodes.

Other choices include

“Monk,” 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., USA Network. A week before its season-opener, this fun show offers 12 hours of reruns. That concludes with the two-parter that had Monk framed for murder and on the lam.

“Nancy Drew” (2007), 6:30 p.m., HBO. A box-office failure, this is a fairly fun look at a teen detective who retains her long-ago look in modern times. Emma Roberts (Eric’s daughter, Julia’s niece) stars.

“2 Fast 2 Furious” (2003), 8 p.m., Fox. Brian O’Conner (Paul Walker), a street-racer in “The Fast and the Furious,” sort of goes legitimate in this sequel. In Florida, federal agents want him to help catch a drug boss who hires fast drivers.

“Numb3rs,” 9 p.m., CBS. This show is moving an hour earlier to give “Flashpoint” a lead-in. Tonight, Charlie isn’t sure if he can believe a friend who says three of her co-workers have been killed recently.

Reach Mike Hughes at mhughes@lsj.com.

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