Good Cop/Bad Cop 2025 Tv Series Review Trailer

TV shows that depict law enforcement officers dealing with their professional and personal lives often take themselves very seriously, like “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” and “Chicago P.D.” But series like “Reno 911!,” “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” and now, The CW/Roku Channel’s “Good Cop/Bad Cop” have injected some much-needed levity into an often dour and cynical genre. Created by John Quaintance, this new eight-episode dramedy (critics screened six for review) is quirky, silly and endearing. Though the criminal cases follow a similar structure to other police shows, the eccentric characters and banter among them are what makes “Good Cop/Bad Cop” such an enjoyable series to watch.

“Good Cop/Bad Cop” begins in the small fictional town of Eden Vale, Washington. Eden Vale's population of less than 10,000 means its law enforcement budget isn't exactly robust. The town's only female detective, Lou Hickman (a delightful Leighton Meester), relies on her cheerful disposition to solve the town's assorted crimes. However, after a chaotic double robbery, Lou realizes that the mostly inexperienced police force doesn't have the stomach or the guts to take over. Desperate for real backup, Lou begs the police chief, Big Hank (Clancey Brown), who also happens to be her father, to get her a partner. Unfortunately, Big Hank chooses the last person on Earth Lou wants to work with, his little brother, Henry (Luke Cook).

Creator: John Quaintance
Stars: Leighton Meester, Luke Cook, Clancy Brown

Henry's family relationships have been strained since he left his hometown for Seattle seven years earlier. Although he's a competent cop, his lack of interpersonal skills and terrible bedside manner have hampered his growth in the Seattle Police Department. So, Henry reluctantly returns home when Big Hank calls him to offer him a detective role in Eden Vale. Lou isn't too thrilled to team up with her younger brother, but the pair quickly rekindle their brotherly bond as they dive headfirst into the town's increasingly bizarre misdeeds. Since Big Hank loves to give residents the illusion that Eden Vale is the safest place in the world, unsolved cases are not acceptable in his book.

The camaraderie between Lou and Henry is ultra-specific, encompassing old jokes, secrets, and the unique understanding of brother and sister. As the season unfolds, audiences learn the details of their childhood and what led to the fracture in their relationship. Additionally, viewers learn about Henry's past romance with his ex-girlfriend Marci (Philippa Northeast) while enjoying a front-row seat to Lou's electric flirtation with Shane Carson (Devon Terrell), the town sheriff whose resources are plentiful.

It's not just the brothers who keep this eccentric series alive, though. It's exciting to watch Big Hank and his Russian girlfriend Nadia (Blasey Best) as a tough, older couple trying to find middle ground with the kids. Plus, the motley crew at the police station, including former high school football star Joe Bradley (Scott Lee), meek and insecure Sam Szczepkowksi (William McKenna), tough crime-loving Sirika Ray (Shamita Siva), and Lily Kim (Grace Chow), who runs the dispatch station, add to the series' layers.

The investigations depicted in "Good/Cop Bad Cop" also give the show a playful, heartwarming tone. In Episode 3, "Mr. Popular," Henry and Lou begin investigating when the star quarterback receives death threats taped to his locker. In Episode 4, "Found Footage," an amateur actress with terrible acting skills goes missing during a movie shoot. Finally, in episode 5, “Family Trees,” the duo investigates the theft of a genetically modified apple tree. While the crimes aren’t exactly groundbreaking, giving the case-of-the-week formula a lighthearted edge sets the series apart from other similar TV shows.

While “Good Cop/Bad Cop” isn’t the most memorable show in the world, Meester and Cook’s chemistry and charm are vibrant enough to sustain the show over several seasons. There are more serious moments, like when Henry and Lou reflect on past life decisions, but they don’t weigh down the narrative. Most of the show is an enjoyable look at small-town life and a brother and sister who want to do quality detective work (despite different tactics) amid poor funding and nosy constituents. The series is a reminder that sometimes adding a different kind of flair to a tried-and-true method is a good way to get the job done.

Watch Good Cop/Bad Cop 2025 Tv Series Trailer