I rarely post any review, but I feel like adding my 2 cents here, as I'm surprised by some incredibly harsh comments. It's like some people's expectations have been terribly disappointed. Granted, I don't live in the US so I don't know how it's been promoted, and I haven't seen neither of the previous Fugitive series or movie so I can only reflect on this one on it's how merits. It sure isn't perfect, it's probably not even great, but I found it enjoyable enough to make me come back the next day, and I don't think it deserves such severe ratings.
I agree that the story isn't particularly original and the writing is quite simplistic. I'm not sure it would be of any interest as a feature film. But the structure of the action and suspens works well for the quick bites format (wether one likes that concept is another debate).
My main problem is that as a series, it's too short to really explore either the characters or that theme of how technology and media can manipulate our perceptions and beliefs. It should be the main focus of the series but it's treated too broadly.
On a strongest point, the acting overall is fine, even if I do have some second thoughts about the writing character-wise. I'm not sure how much I care about our fugitive Mike Ferro. Besides seeing him react quite smartly (too smartly?) to the day events, I can't quite make out his character (is he in denial about killing 2 people including his brother in a car accident while driving under influence? What does working for gang members while in prison say of him?...).
That « reporter » (I put that in brackets because she's really level zero of journalism) Pritti is just awful. She's given some backstory of daddy issues that is supposed to explain her motivations but I couldn't empathize with her at all, which I think is a failure from a storytelling point. Thankfully there are other strong female characters to root for, such as Allison Ferro or detective Sloane.
I've read complaints that Kiefer Sutherland's police boss Clay Bryce is over the top, which is somewhat true, but at least he manages to stand out, and he's fun. With so little time to create a character, he brings in a lot of energy and attitude, and the inevitable comparison to Jack Bauer stops the second he starts talking. Plus no one pulls off those tight jeans better. While the wife-killed-on-9/11 backstory is sadly cliched (come on, it was 20 years ago, and the guy works in a counter terrorist unit, couldn't they come up with something fresher???) the relationship between Bryce and his team, especially Sloane, is one of the most compelling aspect of the show, and I wished to see more.
All in all I'd say it's an average but enjoyable production, and as something designed to watch in small chunks while commuting, it does the trick.
7/10
Review of The Fugitive
