Outlaw (TV series)

American legal drama television series

Outlaw

Genre| Legal drama
Created by| John Eisendrath
Starring|

* Jimmy Smits
* David Ramsey
* Ellen Woglom
* Carly Pope
* Jesse Bradford

Composer| James S. Levine
Country of origin| United States
Original language| English
No. of seasons| 1
No. of episodes| 8
Production
Executive producers|

* Conan O'Brien
* Jimmy Smits
* John Eisendrath
* Richard Schwartz
* David Kissinger
* Marcos Siega
* Amanda Green
* Lukas Reiter
* Peter Elkoff

Editor| Lauren A. Schaffer
Running time| 43 minutes
Production companies|

* Thanksgiving Day Productions
* Conaco Productions
* Universal Media Studios

Original release
Network| NBC
Release| September 15 (2010-09-15) –
November 13, 2010 (2010-11-13)

Outlaw is an American legal drama television series created by John Eisendrath that aired on NBC. The one-hour courtroom drama stars Jimmy Smits as a Supreme Court Justice, Cyrus Garza, who resigns from the bench and returns to private practice in an elite law firm where Claire Sax, love interest to Garza, is a powerful senior partner. As part of the deal, the firm has an ex–Supreme Court Justice on their staff of lawyers and Garza is allowed to pick his team and the cases he works.

The series premiered on Wednesday, September 15, 2010 (a day earlier in Canada), and began airing on Fridays beginning September 24.[1] On October 11, 2010, NBC canceled the series after only four episodes had aired, due to low ratings. The series finale later aired on November 13, 2010.[2]

## Development and production

[edit]

The series was originally titled Rough Justice,[3] and then briefly Garza.[4][5] NBC green-lit the pilot, which was written by John Eisendrath, in late January 2010.[3] In mid February, Terry George signed on to direct the pilot.[6]

Jesse Bradford was the first actor cast in early March.[7] Jimmy Smits was cast next to headline the drama.[8][9] Carly Pope and David Ramsey came on board a few days later.[10] Filming for the pilot took place in late March and April, with some exterior shots done in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania[11][12] and neighboring Bensalem,[13] Atlantic City, New Jersey,[14] and in the Arlington, Virginia area.[15]

NBC announced in mid-May 2010 that the network had picked up the pilot for the 2010–11 season.[16] The series was expected to be produced in Los Angeles.[17][18]

On October 6, NBC announced it had placed production of the series on hiatus due to low ratings for the first three episodes.[19][20] The hiatus became permanent after ratings failed to improve for the October 8 broadcast. Eight of the planned thirteen episodes have been produced.[19][20]

Four episodes had aired when NBC announced Outlaw's cancellation. The remaining four were burned off on Saturdays through November 13.[21]

## Cast and characters

[edit]

* Jimmy Smits as Cyrus Garza
* David Ramsey as Al Druzinsky
* Ellen Woglom as Mereta Stockman
* Carly Pope as Lucinda Pearl
* Jesse Bradford as Eddie Franks
* Melora Hardin as Claire Sax (recurring)[22]

## Reception

[edit]

As of September 15, 2010, Outlaw has an average score of 36/100 on Metacritic based on 23 reviews from television critics.[23] Barry Garron of The Hollywood Reporter appreciated the potential of Outlaw though he called the premise preposterous and likened it to a fairy tale.[24] John Doyle of The Globe and Mail said that Outlaw is "not the best advertisement for quality TV drama." Doyle concluded by saying the show is "for fans of melodramatic legal shows only."[25]

In its first airing against CBS's new drama Blue Bloods, on September 24, 2010, Outlaw was watched by roughly 4.893 million viewers, while Blue Bloods was watched by 13.013 million.[26]

## Episodes

[edit]

The series premiered September 14, 2010 on Global in Canada[27] and debuted in the U.S. on NBC on September 15, 2010.[28] Though NBC moved Outlaw to Saturdays when they canceled the show Global continued to broadcast the remaining episodes on Fridays. All episodes of this show (apart from "Pilot") start with the phrase "In Re:".

No.| Title| Directed by| Written by| Original release date| U.S. viewers
(millions)

|
|
|
|
|

1| "Pilot"| Terry George| John Eisendrath| September 14, 2010 (2010-09-14) (Global)
September 15, 2010 (2010-09-15) (NBC)| 10.68[29]

When presented with a being the deciding vote in a death penalty case Supreme Court Justice Cyrus Garza reflects on things his late father had said and his own conflicted life. After deciding in favor of a new trial Justice Garza announces his resignation from the Supreme Court and becomes the defense attorney for the convicted cop killer whom he had just granted a new trial. Garza's team have some uncertainties about the transition from the Supreme Court to private practice and the addition of a private investigator to the team. When Lucinda mentions the distinct lack of evidence in the case they begin to look into why there is so little evidence and find what they need to save a man's life.

2| "In Re: Officer Daniel Hale"| Timothy Busfield| Lukas Reiter| September 24, 2010 (2010-09-24)| 4.893[26]

An immigration stop that ends with a police shooting an American citizen leads Garza and the team to Arizona. However, the client Garza takes on is a shock to the entire team. While Eddie agrees the team should take the controversial case, Al doubts his decision to join Garza in the first place. On a personal front, Mereta finds an ally in Lucinda, who encourages her to make a move on Garza.

3| "In Re: Jessica Davis"| Peter O'Fallon| Stephanie Sengupta| October 1, 2010 (2010-10-01)| 4.720[30]

Garza and the team find themselves trapped in a difficult situation after an infant dies from exposure in a hot car, and the mother shows no emotion. Taking the case under the Equal Protection Clause, Garza needs Mereta and Al to help prove her innocence. Eddie and Lucinda have trials of their own covering one of Al's former clients.

4| "In Re: Curtis Farwell"| Marcos Siega| John Eisendrath| October 8, 2010 (2010-10-08)| 4.096[31]

Garza and his team go head to head against a car manufacturer to prove that the company is knowingly putting lives at risk by not recalling cars with a dangerous flaw. This case hits a personal note with the former justice who was involved in a car accident of his own.

5| "In Re: Tracy Vidalin"| Liz Friedlander| Jorge Zamacona| October 15, 2010 (2010-10-15) (Global)
October 16, 2010 (2010-10-16) (NBC)| 3.4[32]

When a confession is entered as proof that the girlfriend of a police killer is guilty of the murder, Garza and Al must find out if a Miranda Rights violation occurred. The violation would disregard the confession and protect the girl's right to remain silent. Further complicating the incident is the fact that this defendant is the daughter of Cyrus' nemesis Senator Sidney Vidalin. Eddie and Mereta follow their own investigation when they dig into Lucinda's past and discover something shocking.

6| "In Re: Tyler Banks"| Steve Shill| Michael Reisz| October 22, 2010 (2010-10-22) (Global)
October 23, 2010 (2010-10-23) (NBC)[33]| 3.2[34]

Garza fights to save the life of a foster kid, who needs a liver transplant but—as is the case all over the country—has been dumped off the transplant list just because he is in care.

7| "In Re: Kelvin Jones"| Tim Hunter| Lukas Reiter, John Eisendrath,
Adam Armus, & Kay Foster| November 5, 2010 (2010-11-05) (Global)[35]
November 6, 2010 (2010-11-06) (NBC)[36]| 3.5[37]

Kelvin Jones, an ambitious student who started many programs to improve his school and was wanting to go to Duke University, is killed in a gang shooting in the courtyard of the Cyrus Garza School in Hastings, Alabama. After visiting the school and seeing the systemic neglect Garza files a lawsuit against the school and the school district for the wrongful death of Kelvin Jones. When the wrongful death suit fails Garza amends the filing to a class action suit against the entire county "for the willful and deliberate segregation of the public schools in violation of the Fourteenth Amendment". Lucinda becomes the prime suspect in the murder of the man who had been stalking her, trying to get her to tell him where his daughter is.

8| "In Re: Tony Mejia"[38]| Marcos Siega| Peter Elkoff| November 12, 2010 (2010-11-12) (Global)[39]
November 13, 2010 (2010-11-13) (NBC)[38]| 3.390[40]

The White House asks Garza to go to Mexico to extradite the brutal murderer of a California school teacher. With the victim's father present in court, the killer is sentenced by a Mexican court to 25 years in their prison. Later, the father finds the murderer in a bar and, in a fit of rage, grabs a police officer's gun and kills him, then flees back to Los Angeles. To avoid a diplomatic crisis, Garza must now return the father to Mexico to stand trial for murder.

## International broadcasts

[edit]

* Australia: Will begin airing after November 28, 2010 on Seven Network at 9:30 p.m., and it has been confirmed the entire season will air during the summer non-ratings period.[41]

## Home releases

[edit]

On January 24, 2011, in conjunction with Amazon.com's manufactured-on-demand (MOD) program, a DVD of all eight episodes of the series was released. The cover art consists of the promotional poster, with a Universal logo and border around it.[42]

## See also

[edit]

* Supreme Court of the United States in fiction

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "NBC Announces Updated Fall Schedule Premieres". The Futon Critic. July 30, 2010. Retrieved July 31, 2010.
2. ^ Hibbard, James (October 11, 2010). "NBC pulls 'Outlaw' from Fridays". The Hollywood Reporter. The Live Feed (blog). Retrieved November 13, 2010.
3. ^ a b "Development Update: Tuesday, January 26". The Futon Critic. January 26, 2010. Retrieved May 28, 2010.
4. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (May 14, 2010). "PRIMETIME PILOT PANIC: UPDATE - NBC Picks Up 'The Cape' & 'Garza' & 'Friends With Benefits'; Passes On 'Piggy'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 28, 2010.
5. ^ Hibberd, James (May 14, 2010). "NBC picks up 'Friends With Benefits,' 'The Cape'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved December 4, 2010.
6. ^ "Development Update: Friday, February 19". The Futon Critic. February 19, 2010. Retrieved May 28, 2010.
7. ^ "Development Update: Wednesday, March 3". The Futon Critic. March 3, 2010. Retrieved May 28, 2010.
8. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (March 9, 2010). "Jimmy Smits to headline legal drama pilot". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved December 4, 2010.
9. ^ DiNunno, Gina (March 10, 2010). "Jimmy Smits Signs on to NBC Legal Drama". TV Guide. Retrieved May 28, 2010.
10. ^ "Development Update: Monday, March 15". The Futon Critic. March 15, 2010. Retrieved May 28, 2010.
11. ^ Stamm, Dan (April 1, 2010). "Smits Films TV Pilot in Center City". NBC 10 Philadelphia. Archived from the original on September 18, 2012. Retrieved May 30, 2010.
12. ^ Dillon, Hughe (May 19, 2010). "Hughe Dillon: Philly-filmed TV pilot with Jimmy Smits picked up". Philadelphia Magazine. Metrocorp. Retrieved May 30, 2010.
13. ^ Klein, Michael (March 30, 2010). "Another day on the set for film-industry locals". Philly.com. Archived from the original on April 5, 2010. Retrieved May 28, 2010.
14. ^ "Jimmy Smits Films at Resorts Casino Hotel-Atlantic City" (Press release). Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority. April 6, 2010. Retrieved May 29, 2010.
15. ^ "Jimmy Smits NBC Pilot Filming in Arlington". ARLnow.com. April 2, 2010. Retrieved May 28, 2010.
16. ^ "NBC Adds To New Scripted Lineup With Four New Series -- 'The Cape,' 'Outlaw,' 'Harry's Law' And 'Friends With Benefits' - And Renews 'Chuck' For Fourth Season In 2010-11". The Futon Critic. May 14, 2010. Retrieved May 28, 2010.
17. ^ Klein, Michael (May 20, 2010). "Inqlings: 'Outlaw,' film work flee Philly". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved May 30, 2010.
18. ^ Klein, Michael (May 19, 2010). "Philly won't get that Jimmy Smits drama". Philly.com. Retrieved May 30, 2010.
19. ^ a b Hibberd, James (October 6, 2010). "NBC putting 'Outlaw' on production hiatus". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved December 4, 2010.
20. ^ a b Andreeva, Nellie (October 6, 2010). "NBC's 'Outlaw' Goes On Production Hiatus". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on October 11, 2010. Retrieved October 7, 2010.
21. ^ Schneider, Michael (October 11, 2010). "NBC renders verdict on 'Outlaw'". Variety. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
22. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (July 23, 2010). "Melora Hardin Joins NBC's New 'Outlaw'".
23. ^ "Outlaw". Metacritic, a CBS Interactive company. Retrieved September 15, 2010.
24. ^ Garon, Barry (September 14, 2010). "Outlaw -- TV Review". Retrieved December 4, 2010.
25. ^ Doyle, John (September 15, 2010). "TIFF or TV? Who's the champ?". The Globe and Mail. Toronto. Archived from the original on September 18, 2010. Retrieved September 15, 2010.
26. ^ a b Gorman, Bill (September 27, 2010). "Friday Finals: Supernatural Up; Dateline Down". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on October 1, 2010. Retrieved September 29, 2010.
27. ^ Strachan, Alex (September 10, 2010). "From outcast to Outlaw". canada.com. Archived from the original on September 15, 2010. Retrieved September 14, 2010.
28. ^ "NBC Announces Updated Fall Schedule Premieres". The Futon Critic. July 30, 2010. Retrieved September 7, 2010.
29. ^ Gorman, Bill (September 16, 2010). "TV Ratings Wednesday: Survivor, America's Got Talent Rise; 'Outlaw' Starts Slowly". TV By the Numbers. Retrieved September 16, 2010.
30. ^ Seidman, Robert (October 5, 2010). "Friday Finals: No Changes With 18-49 Ratings for Originals". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on October 7, 2010. Retrieved October 7, 2010.
31. ^ Gorman, Bill (October 11, 2010). "Friday Final Ratings: Dateline, Outlaw, Good Guys, Supernatural Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on October 13, 2010. Retrieved October 12, 2010.
32. ^ "NBC Primetime Results for the Week of Oct. 11-17" (Press release). NBC via TheFutonCritic.com. October 19, 2010. Retrieved October 23, 2010.
33. ^ "OUTLAW (PROGRAM CHANGE) (UPDATED)" (Press release). NBC via TheFutonCritic.com. October 19, 2010. Retrieved October 19, 2010.
34. ^ "NBC Ranks #2 in Adults 18-49 for the Primetime Week of Oct. 18-24" (Press release). NBC via TheFutonCritic.com. October 26, 2010. Retrieved October 28, 2010.
35. ^ "TVGuide.ca - TV Listings Outlaw: In Re: Kelvin Jones". TVGuide.ca. Zap2it. Archived from the original on July 1, 2012. Retrieved October 23, 2010.
36. ^ "OUTLAW (UPDATED)" (Press release). NBC via TheFutonCritic.com. October 19, 2010. Retrieved October 19, 2010.
37. ^ "NBC Primetime Results for the Week of Nov. 1-7" (Press release). NBC via TheFutonCritic.com. November 9, 2010. Retrieved November 13, 2010.
38. ^ a b "OUTLAW" (Press release). NBC via TheFutonCritic.com. October 22, 2010. Retrieved October 23, 2010.
39. ^ "TVGuide.ca - TV Listings Outlaw: In Re: Tony Mejia". TVGuide.ca. Zap2it. Archived from the original on July 8, 2012. Retrieved November 6, 2010.
40. ^ "TV Ratings Saturday: 'Cops,' 'America's Most Wanted' Lead Fox; 'Outlaw' Series Finale Goes Quietly". November 14, 2010. Archived from the original on December 6, 2018.
41. ^ "Seven: Summer schedule". www.tvtonight.com.au. Knox, David. November 12, 2010. Retrieved November 12, 2010.
42. ^ "Outlaw DVD news: Announcement for Outlaw - the Complete Series | TVShowsOnDVD.com". Archived from the original on January 31, 2011. Retrieved January 28, 2011.

## External links

[edit]

* Official website
* Outlaw at IMDb

*[No.]: Number