Shark: Pilot Episode
Shark is a series built of clichés, from the title on down. I’m sure the producers probably wanted to name the lead character Sebastian Shark. Thankfully, they stopped short of that and went for Stark instead.
The show starts with Stark in court where he gets a client who’s accused of attempting to murder his wife off scot-free. Shortly thereafter, he is shocked to discover that the man has murdered his wife. He clearly has never watched L.A. Law or Boston Legal or … you get the idea. This makes me wonder why Mr Stark has such a high reputation. He’s defending a guy who’s accused of attempted murder and the supposed victim is on the side of the defence! Some hotshot lawyer, I could probably have got him off.
After spending a month of remorse at home, he’s contacted by the Mayor. He wants him to head up a new high profile prosecution team, under the D.A. played by Jeri Ryan.
Accepting the position, he finds he’s been burdened with the misfits of the District Attorney’s office. For their first case they will be prosecuting a wholesome pop star accused of murder. Early on he gives them his three rules of trial law -
1. Trial is war - second place is death.
2. Truth is relative - pick one that works.
3. In a jury trial, there are only 12 opinions that matter.
It’s soon clear that, while he may now be on the side of the angels, he hasn’t changed his methods.
