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"On Call" is a successful foray into streaming for Dick Wolf

DERRICK DUNN

Veteran producer Dick Wolf applies his renowned expertise to the streaming domain with Prime Video's "On Call." This series, created by Tim Walsh and Elliot Wolf (who wrote four episodes), represents the first instance of Dick Wolf's work being presented in a half-hour format. Other writers on the show include Molly Manning, Bryan Gracia, and Tiffany Bratcher. Series co-star Eriq LaSalle directs four episodes of the show.


"On Call" follows The series follows Long Beach Police Department veteran training officer Traci Harmon (Troian Bellisario) and her rookie partner Alex Diaz (Brandon Larracuente) as they respond to emergency calls on the streets of Long Beach, California while also navigating the fallout of the loss of a fellow officer. The supporting cast includes Eriq LaSalle as Sergeant Lasman, Lori Loughlin as Lieutenant Bishop, and Rich Ting as Sergeant Koyama.


From the very first moments of the show, viewers will be struck by the captivating blend of bodycam, dash-camera, and cellphone footage. This unique combination fosters an immersive cinema verité effect, drawing audiences into the raw and unfiltered reality of the portrayed scenes. The chemistry between the leads is organic, and the shows avoid some of the buddy cop genre tropes, such as jokes.



Instead, the narrative delves into the backstory of both officers, providing insight into the personal experiences that influence their choices on the job. One of the most compelling episodes is the fifth one, titled "Not Your Savior." This episode powerfully explores the complexities of mental illness, and the urgent, split-second reactions officers must navigate during high-stakes encounters. Another remarkable episode, "L.A. Woman," showcases Troian Bellisario's talent, as she captivates the audience with a striking performance right from the opening moments. However, I want to give animal lovers a heads-up about this episode.

 



As for the supporting cast, it's always a joy to see Eriq LaSalle on screen, and it was refreshing to see Lori Loughlin go somewhat against the type of play of a police officer who even drops a few f-bombs. While it remains to be seen if "On Call" will experience the same success as Wolf's other show, it did pull me in, and I am open to another season.


All episodes of "On Call" arrive on Prime Video on January 9, 2025.

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