The evolution of prestige TV: A look back at ‘Homicide: Life on the Street’
The dawn of a new era in television
When discussing the birth of prestige television, many point to the late 1990s, particularly the rise of HBO with groundbreaking series like Sex and the City (1998) and The Sopranos (1999). These shows brought a cinematic quality to the small screen, but the seeds of this transformation were sown earlier. In 1993, five years before Carrie Bradshaw and Tony Soprano became household names, David Simon’s first novel, Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets, was adapted into a TV series that would redefine the police procedural genre. Now, more than three decades later, all seven seasons of Homicide: Life on the Street are available for streaming on Peacock.
A gritty, realistic portrayal of Baltimore’s homicide unit
Created by Paul Attanasio, Homicide: Life on the Street offers an intense, addictive, and hyper-realistic examination of the Baltimore Police Department’s homicide unit. Unlike many police procedurals of its time, which often followed a formulaic approach, Homicide dared to be different. Attanasio, along with showrunner Tom Fontana and David Simon, who served as a writer and producer, crafted a series that respected its audience’s intelligence and challenged conventional storytelling.
The immersive world of ‘Homicide’
The pilot episode, “Gone For Goode,” immediately immerses viewers in the gritty streets of Baltimore. Detectives Meldrick Lewis (Clark Johnson) and Steve Crosetti (Jon Polito) are seen discussing a book while investigating a crime scene. The camera pans out to reveal a dead man with a gunshot wound to the head lying on the sidewalk. Crosetti’s casual remark, “That’s the problem with this job; it’s got nothing to do with life,” sets the tone for the series.
Despite being remastered in high definition and 4K, the show retains a rawness that contrasts sharply with today’s polished digital productions. Each episode serves as a puzzle piece, with cases color-coded on a massive whiteboard—black for closed, red for open. The cases intertwine, sometimes resolving and sometimes not, reflecting the unpredictability of real-life investigations.
Familiar faces and unforgettable characters
New viewers will recognize some familiar faces in Homicide. Andre Braugher’s portrayal of Frank Pembleton, a meticulous detective with a stellar record and a disdain for teamwork, earned him his first Emmy in 1998. Richard Belzer’s John Munch, who later became a staple on Law & Order: SVU, originated in Homicide.
The characters are the heart of the series. Attanasio and Fontana meticulously grounded the show in the specifics of 1990s Baltimore. The series’ texture is so vivid that viewers can almost feel the sticky coating on the break-room floor or the biting chill in the precinct during winter. While some discussions, like those about Michael Jordan vs. Scottie Pippen, are very much of their time, other topics, such as race, gun violence, and dating after divorce, remain relevant today.
The dark side of crime and its impact on detectives
Homicide doesn’t shy away from the brutality of crime. Season 1 follows rookie detective Tim Bayliss (Kyle Secor) as he grapples with his first case—the murder of 11-year-old Adena Watson, based on the real-life death of Latonya Wallace. The series doesn’t hold back in depicting the gruesome details, including Adena’s lifeless body. The case haunts Bayliss and culminates in the powerful episode “Three Men and Adena,” set almost entirely in the interrogation room.
The show also delves into the toll the job takes on the detectives. The characters’ full humanity is on display, with their dysfunctions playing out in childish squabbles, angry phone calls, and snide remarks. Partnerships, like that of Detective Kay Howard (Melissa Leo) and Beau Felton (Billy Baldwin), ebb and flow, sometimes working seamlessly and other times boiling over. Yet, moments of camaraderie, like sharing crabs and beer at The Waterfront Bar, offer a brief respite from the relentless demands of their work.
Moments of levity amidst the darkness
While Homicide is predominantly grim, it does have moments of levity. Some cases provide a break from the darker storylines, such as an elderly woman who pushes her husband down the stairs only to find he’s not as dead as she thought, or a witness hiding from the police in a literal dog house. These lighter moments are woven into the fabric of the series, providing a counterbalance to the pervasive violence.
The legacy of ‘Homicide: Life on the Street’
In today’s era of peak TV, there’s a sense of disillusionment about what network television can offer. With streaming services and cable channels producing edgier content, the major networks often play it safe. However, Homicide: Life on the Street serves as a reminder that network TV can deliver authentic, compelling storytelling. Viewers have an appetite for realism, and Homicide satisfies that craving.
All seven seasons of Homicide: Life on the Street are now available for streaming on Peacock. For those who appreciate gritty, character-driven dramas, this series is a must-watch. Dive into the world of Baltimore’s homicide unit and experience a show that paved the way for the prestige television we enjoy today.