NBC Freshmen Series Life and Chuck Picked for Full Seasons

If you have not watched "Life" and "Chuck" on NBC this year, you are missing a treat. These new shows are among the few which show promise in yet another year full of disappointing debuts. This year is even more complicated due to the writer's strike. Shows which may have had a chance may be shelved as they are forced into early reruns.

"Life" revolves around the exploits of Detective Charlie Crews (played by Damian Lewis of "Band of Brothers"), a cop who has spent 12 years in prison for a crime he didn't commit. (Specifically the murder of a friend and business partner and his wife and their five-year-old son. There is a daughter who survived, and her whereabouts are part of the mystery.) After DNA proves Charlie's innocence, he is released, given a place as detective within the LAPD, and agrees to a multi-million dollar settlement. His new partner is recovering alcoholic Dani Reese (played by Sarah Shahi), whose father may play a key role in Charlie's false imprisonment. Handling Charlie's money is Ted Earley (played by the irascible Adam Arkin), a former cell mate who did time for insider trading.

The cases are not terribly original in "Life." However, Charlie's obsession with finding the truth about who actually committed the crime for which he was imprisoned is captivating. As he discovers a clue, he takes it to his Conspiracy Wall. With each clue he makes another connection. He has also received help from unlikely sources, such as a Russian mafiaso. Charlie is discouraged in his pursuit by his attorney, Constance Griffiths (played by Brooke Langton). She reminds him that part of his settlement agreement states that he will not communicate with members of the LAPD who were involved in his case. He summarily ignores her advice, with sometimes disastrous results.