The small screen is no stranger to military dramas, but CBS is aiming for something special with "SEAL Team." Starring David Boreanaz as the battle-hardened leader of an elite unit, the show promises a gritty, realistic look at the lives of Navy SEALs, both on and off the battlefield. But can it deliver on that promise without falling into the same old traps that plague the genre?
Authenticity in the Details, But What About the Heart?
From the get-go, "SEAL Team" earns points for its attention to detail. The gear is on point, the jargon rings true, and the action sequences are downright impressive. But as any veteran will tell you, there's more to military life than just high-tech weaponry and expertly executed raids.
"While the show deserves praise for its accuracy in terms of equipment, gear, and some pretty impressive shootouts, to achieve its more ambitious goal — capturing the emotional realities of military service — SEAL Team must successfully navigate a minefield of military clichés and over-the-top scenarios," notes one military consultant.
Too Much Drama, Too Soon?
The pilot episode throws a lot at the viewers: a mission gone wrong, a team grappling with guilt and PTSD, strained marriages, and the inevitable friction that comes with integrating a new member into a tight-knit unit.
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