'The Code' spoilers for season 1 episode 2 suggest the show might be picking up pace
CBS's latest legal drama 'The Code' started off slow for us. In what can be best described as CBS' natural space coming from producing 'NCIS' and 'JAG', 'The Code' feeds the comfort of a certain audience that indulges in legal dramas. 'The Code' is a drama about "the military's brightest minds, who tackle the toughest legal challenges facing the US Marine Corps." It aims to offer an insight into some of the most difficult cases faced by the Marines, and the exhaustive, meticulous process put in by the legal system so that justice and law and order can prevail. And while the pilot episode, titled 'Blowed Up,' failed to excite us on this front, the second episode offers more potential, hinting the show might pick up the pace in the upcoming episodes.
According to the official synopsis on CBS' website, the second episode titled 'P.O.G' will see: "Captains John Abraham and Maya Dobbins head to a war zone when they are assigned to opposite sides of the courtroom in the case of Marine charged with abandoning his post during combat, resulting in the deaths of three soldiers. Also, Major Trey Ferry must iron out a diplomatic spat, and Lt. Harper Li works to balance her duties to the Corps with planning her wedding."
So far, 'The Code' looks like an anthology taking one case at a time and dealing with it in the quintessential CBS procedural show manner. The first episode had Captain Jon "Abe" Abraham (played by Luke Mitchell) and Captain Maya Dobbins (Anna Wood) assigned to a case as prosecution and defense lawyers respectively, where they are investigating a commanding officer's murder by his subordinate in Afghanistan. The pilot episode showed Luke Mitchell grinning and relaxed as the character he plays.
On the other hand, Anna Wood delivers a matter-of-fact performance in her role as Captain Maya Dobbins - a performance she personally enjoyed. The second episode is promising as it brings to fore the character of Lieutenant Harper Li - yeah, this is a 'To Kill a Mockingbird' reference' - played by 'Hamilton' fame Phillipa Soo. Lt. Li is a highly capable lawyer, eager to take on big cases and brings a fresh energy to the show with sarcasm and wit. Hampton Fluker, Ryan Vasquez, Ralph Adriel Johnson, and John Zdrojeski are featured as the guest cast.
Even with a lackluster pilot episode, 'The Code' can redeem itself if it doesn't play into the genre's comfort zone. The second episode will air April 15, 9 p.m. EST.