This was the first episode. It was an infomercial for the show. As mentioned above the actors were well chosen and competent in their roles. I DO wonder why they moved the setting to New York. (They could have stuck with San Francisco and shot in Oregon, Washington or Vancouver).
The writers should not expect to use Blair Underwood's sex appeal to push the series along. (This didn't work with Jimmy Smits in "Outlaw"). Furthermore, they shouldn't trade on nostalgia for the old series (like they did with the failed Bionic Woman and Knight Rider attempts).
This IS the gritty, sexy Robert Ironside that was promised. BUT RAISE THE BAR on the WRITING. (Think: Law and Order franchise, West Wing, E.R.). Some of it HAS to be about police work and criminals.