Prodigal Son and the Collapse of the Police Procedural Era

I am a fan of procedural cop shows as well as true crime programs. I'm certainly not unique in this regard, and I have little doubt that detective shows will continue post-Covid. But there are a lot of conversations that need to happen in this unique climate. One popular question raised is...how will viewers respond to shows that deal in the law enforcement realm when anti-police sentiment is so strong among the general public?

How does the viewer reconcile benevolent portrayals of "heroic" police types with what they have been seeing in real life and in the media? Will viewership of police-themed shows continue to be "strong" and what are the benefits of shows like these?

I know that show writers (and network execs) probably don't want to hear this...but there is no room to move forward in this space without addressing the issues at hand. For a show to steamroll forward without acknowledging BLM and police brutality would, in my opinion, be a major mis-step. One regard where many shows fail is in their treatment of their viewership. Some networks treat viewers as if they are aloof or disconnected, when that couldn't be further from the truth. Many viewers of traditional medical or detective procedural programs are curious, intelligent, and engaged.

So how can shows like Prodigal Son move forward and address the tidal wave of change (and hopefully progress) when it comes to BLM and discussions about police?

One reason I like PSON so much is because, in some ways, it breaks away from traditional police procedurals, in that we have a main character who struggles to overcome his own personal demons while working with the police to profile criminals. I also applaud the show for having Lieutenant Arroyo, JT, Dani, and Edrisa who are all people of color. It is a refreshing and talented cast that has a lot to offer, especially on the topics of race and police.

It would be a great loss to just cancel the show because it deals with police. Likewise, it would be a great loss for the show to just carry on in season two without addressing the personal struggles of our characters.

Even though there are POC in great positions on the show, we haven't had a deep view of any of them (granted, episodes had to be cut due to the Coronavirus. Also, we've only had one season so far). They are rich characters with untapped potential and they have the ability to get the conversation started about being a person of color in law enforcement.

Is it an easy conversation to have? Probably not. Would it propel the narrative and add dimension to the characters? Most certainly. It would also provide viewers the opportunity to think critically about these issues and maybe start conversations about them in their own homes.

As someone who has worked in a system bigger than me - I understand the frustrations of working in a broken structure. I understand what it's like to see cracks in an institution and not be able to fix them. I know what it's like to feel 'small' and set apart. It is a very tough spot to be in. Granted, I have never worked in law enforcement, nor am I a person of color (just Jewish according to 23 and Me - which is fascinating considering I never knew about that... because at some point, somewhere along my family line, someone decided to push away our heritage rather than face anti-semitism). I can never understand the struggle faced by POC in law enforcement, but I can educate myself to the fullest extent possible and I would hope that Prodigal Son's aim is to be an educational catalyst.

The greatest strength of Prodigal Son lies in its ability to focus on relationships and humanity. The cases the characters work are interesting, but character interaction is what drives this show. PSON can become the typical police procedural (which is most likely on it's way out) or it can ask the hard questions and begin to show examples of how the country can move forward with peace and tact rather than with authoritarian violence and bi partisan squabbling.

Great shows...shows like Star Trek for example...present to the viewer what could be. They re-imagine the future. They show a possible path forward.

Is that what PSON set out to do? Probably not. But is there a way to avoid these conversations without appearing insensitive and tone deaf? No.

A lot of entertainment takes the approach that, "it's not our job to solve X, Y and Z. We just want to tell a story."

But the responsibility has been placed, regardless of what the initial intent of the show was.

Right now, the prison systems are struggling and many are violating basic human rights (hey...Martin's in Rikers right?). Right now, some are calling for the end of police, while others are more in favor of strong reform. Right now, families are clashing over politics. Right now, POC in law enforcement are being yanked in two different directions. Right now, journalists (who are certainly essential) are being hurt and jailed (hey...Ainsley's a reporter...). Right now, the pandemic is tearing at the fabric of life as we know it.

Even examining the quarantine's effects on Malcolm's psyche would be worth exploring as MANY people who have never struggled with mental health before are now struggling; and many who have always struggled are suffering that much more.

Did I touch on too many things in this diatribe disguised as a blog post? Probably. But each of these points is valid and I would be thrilled if the show looks at or even touches upon...

• People of color's experiences with BLM
• People of color in Law Enforcement's struggle
• How Covid has affected the mental health of those who have never struggled w mental health
• Mental health effects of Covid on those who already struggle with it
• Medical workers (LIKE EDRISA'S) pressures and expectations 
• The state of New York City and how it, specifically, has been affected
• The notion of systemic police reform
• The criminal justice system in the time of Covid

Is exploring on these topics safe? No. Could some viewership be lost? Yes. So I guess the question now is...will Fox and the Prodigal Son writers take the risk?