Dick Wolf’s first streaming original settles for a mature, realistic take on the cop drama. While the juggernaut network TV franchises specialize in a more procedural format, On Call builds an overarching narrative through the eyes of two officers, and examines the moral code of duty. This allows for a more steady and grounded approach to the police heroics. A scene’s dramatic music is replaced with the sounds of city life and the dispatch radio. And an episode’s narrative isn’t one case, but the normal daily calls received, from the mundane to the more dramatic. That’s when it waves into more commonplace territory. 

The pilot introduces our Long Beach squad following the murder of fellow Officer Delgado (Chicago Fire’s Monica Raymond). With the suspect still at large, officers are charged to stay alert and not engage the alleged killer alone. This is a contrast from what usually happens when one of their own is killed in the line of duty. Here we meet our main leads – rookie Officer Alex Diaz (Brandon Larracuente) and his handler, Officer Traci Harmon (Troian Bellisario). Diaz has that new-officer optimism, seeking to fulfill the good work he’s learned in the academy. In police trope fashion, veteran Harmon has a more lived perspective. She knows the academy doesn’t teach you everything and being a hero doesn’t mean disregarding the rules. 

As the episdoe plays out, we see their dynamic in real situations displaying the normalcy of policing. We witness some of these interactions through their body cams, a reminder of recent attempted reform. Its presence is not to preach a certain belief but is another slice of realism and awareness. Eventually, our duo is reunited with Delgado’s killer, resulting in a hard lesson for Diaz.

A bit different from the case-of-the-week storytelling on linear TV, On Call remains an easy watch for fans of the cop drama. Strong lead performances are accompanied by TV vets Lori Loughlin and Eriq LaSalle. Some normal cop show mechanics exist, but the series’ realism and half-hour runtime offer a fresher approach. It’s more akin to cable’s SouthLand than Chicago PD; not just because it’s set on the West Coast. 

Rating: 7.5/10