This pilot for a proposed Hallmark Channel series features a strong cast. Though it is listed under the Crime, Drama, and Mystery genres, it has strong comedic undertones, which has a lot to do with its stars: Kimberly Williams-Paisley ("According to Jim"), Wendie Malick ("Just Shoot Me") and Tom Cavanaugh ("Burn Notice").
Williams-Paisley plays Claire Darrow (I wonder where they found that name?), a small-town attorney who has revived the law firm formerly run by her father. Malick plays mother Joanna, a successful New York City attorney who used to handle big cases, but is now down on her luck and jobless, looking for a place to land. Cavanaugh plays Miles Strasberg, a pragmatic attorney who faces Claire in court, despite his attraction to her. He asks her out every week, and she always declines.
The pilot revolves around a smash-and-grab jewelry burglary. When a local merchant is accused of the crime, Claire defends him. Miles thinks he has an open and shut case, but Claire's instincts tell her the guy is innocent.
As a crime procedural, the writing is mediocre. Claire is not shown to be insightful or decisive in defense of her client. But she is caring and empathetic, which is more important in a Hallmark offering.
This first episode sets up conflicts between Claire, her mother and her daughter. Years of resentment and the teenage temperament must be overcome if these three are to coexist in harmony. This could have made a good series---especially given the acting talent---but Hallmark instead made some follow-up films in subsequent years.
