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"Crossing Jordan" (2001) More at IMDb Pro »

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49 out of 52 people found the following comment useful :-
A rare gem in a sea of forgettable TV, 22 October 2004
Author: PHodges5 from Glendale, AZ

The greatest thing about "Crossing Jordan" is that it never, for even one moment, ceases to make us care about its characters. It seamlessly gives us a mix of tragedy and comedy, as well as humanity and warmth, which is no mean feat, considering the profession all of the main characters have.

With the abundance of shows cropping up in the last few years with a theme of "investigation", the profession of Medical Examiner has been thrust into the limelight of the public's eye that it never has been before. One needs to look no further than the ratings of all of the "CSI" shows to find proof; the minutiae and drudgery of police and forensic work, once thought to be bland, boring and completely without entertainment value, now has viewers glued to their sets.

But "Crossing Jordan" is much more than that. While I applaud shows like "CSI", and to a small extent, "Law & Order" for their ingenious writing and convincing story lines, none of those shows has ever really developed its characters to an extent where we care more about them than about the details of whatever case they happen to be working on at the time. "Crossing Jordan" has developed it's characters very, very well. Consider:

The main character, Jordan Cavanaugh (Jill Hennessy): when the show first started, we knew her to be a mouthy, bitchy, seat-of-the-pants, lives-by-her-own-rules kind of girl, who would always be in trouble but somehow, always gets to the truth. And while the appeal of such a character is undeniable, such a routine would have gotten old really fast, as well as the "haunted-by-her-mother's-as-yet-unsolved-murder" story line. I understand that early on, we knew that this is what drove Jordan to be the person she was, but it felt like that particular story line was used as a crutch to hold the series up. I think her character is now sufficiently developed to get past it now. She's still mouthy, and still lives by her own rules, but not as often as before. She's truly grown up.

Dr. Garret Macy (Miguel Ferrer): Originally played up as the crotchety, curmudgeonly boss, who walked around with the "how-in-hell-did-I-end-up-in-this-line-of-work" look on his face. Despite his somewhat abrasive character, there's no doubt that he possesses a tremendous inner warmth to go with his incredible intelligence. It's those rare occasions when he shows his softer side that make for some of the series' best moments.

Lily Lebowski (Kathryn Hahn): In the beginning, she seemed like a fragile dandelion of a person, nursing a not-too-subtle crush on Dr. Macy. I was afraid that her character would never expand beyond two dimensions, but she has become the moral center of the show.

My two favorite sidekicks, Nigel and Bug (Steve Valentine and Ravi Kapoor): it was these two that kept me coming back, week after week, during this show's growing pains. The tall, lanky Brit and the diminutive entomologist from Bangladesh are without a doubt the best on-screen duo in prime-time. One smiling and ebullient, one moody and sullen, they play off of each other so well... I can't aptly describe it in words.

Det. Woody Hoyt (Jerry O'Connell): Though his character hasn't really developed much, beyond the on-again, off-again relationship he seems to have with Jordan, it's nice to see him get more and more screen time now.

Several other characters have come and gone: Jordan's father (Ken Howard) and M.E.'s Trey Sanders (M. Ali), Peter Winslow (Ivan Sergei), Elaine Duchamps (Lorraine Toussaint), and Dr. Devan Mcguire (Jennifer Finnigan), have all contributed during their brief stints on the show.

Every single character has experienced tragedy and loss, in various degrees, all while helping total strangers deal with their loss, and that has made them all bond together into a very tightly-knit group... almost a family, if you will. It is a family that I wish I could be a part of... and that is the TRUE yardstick of a great show.

Always fresh, never dull. I hope that "Crossing Jordan" will continue to draw the audience it deserves.

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44 out of 51 people found the following comment useful :-
Not trying to be like CSI, 14 February 2003
Author: Anann73 from Virginia

Some people say that "Crossing Jordan" is a rip-off of CSI but even though there are some similarities it is not trying to be the same. There are cases and forensics involved, but "Crossing Jordan" is far richer in character development. This show is my favorite because it has both; I don't watch CSI or CSI:Miami because when I want just cases and the forensics involved in solving them, I watch "Forensic Files" and other true crime shows on DSC or TLC. But since I enjoy these things as well as drama and character development (not to mention Jill Hennessy is my favorite actress), I love "Crossing Jordan." Also, the fact that the lead character is a little screwy is fine by me...I prefer it! Makes things interesting.

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25 out of 26 people found the following comment useful :-
Entertaining, 9 December 2004
Author: Altair444

I happened upon "Crossing Jordan" one evening while channel surfing. I'm glad I did; this is a good show. This show works because it is well cast, for starters. The interaction between Jill Hennessey and Miguel Ferrer is excellent and never contrived. Steve Valentine and Ravi Kapoor are brilliant, and Katherine Hahn balances out this group as the sweet, empathic Lily. Jerry O'Connell is a welcome addition as young, gung-ho detective Woody Hoyt, who provides nice little comic moments here and there to keep the show on it's toes. Fortunately for me, A&E runs older episodes of CJ late in the evening, so I've had a chance to play catch-up and watch it from the beginning. This show started out interesting to me and seems to be getting better all the time. I'll definitely keep watching in the future.

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22 out of 25 people found the following comment useful :-
This show is wonderful!, 2 October 2001
Author: SEYMOURLINDA from California

I saw this show just last night and I wasnt exspecting much but I have to tell you it was very good. I just watched Law and Order with her in it right before the show started and I thought it wont make it. I thought it would never be as good as Law and Order but I was wrong. This show is a little easier to understand. Its not all Drama, there is alot of humor in it. I think Jill Hennessy is a very pretty girl. She is coroner in it and she try's to investigate how the person died. She gets advice from her dad who used to have that job. I definitly recommend this show! I give it 10 stars out of 10. I will watch this show every week. Great show! Matt, CA

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18 out of 19 people found the following comment useful :-
Very ENTERTAINING Medical Drama, 3 August 2004
Author: berrybrandi from Ontario, Canada

"Crossing Jordan" is the ONLY medical drama that doesn't bore me to death. I tried watching shows such as "CSI" and "CSI: Miami" but they don't seem to have entertaining qualities that a good television show should have. And "ER" has gone downhill in recent years.

What I love about "Crossing Jordan" is the interesting characters and the plausable scenarios. These characters form their own family of friends, which is hard to find in today's medical dramas.

Characters such as Nigel, Bug and Woody give the drama much needed comedy. Who says that drama has to be such a downer? Why not laugh a little? With Jordan being the strong female lead, gives the show much needed respect.

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12 out of 13 people found the following comment useful :-
A wonderful show that anyone can enjoy, 8 March 2004
Author: jhazelett72 from Iowa

I'm not sure why the user before me hates "Crossing Jordan" so much. In fact, I can't figure out why he suggests that the show started well but isn't worth watching any more. I agree that the show has changed slightly, but if it didn't no one would watch (it would be quite boring).

To the contrary, I think this show is just getting better. Jill Hennessy (still very sexy after her "Law & Order days) is really fun to watch. I love the fact that they're giving her a chance to show the rebellious side her fans have seen in a few movies, which to most people's misfortune they have not. Miguel Ferrer as Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Macy holds the line Jordan seems to keep crossing as best he can. The rest of the cast, most of whom have been on the show since it began, are usually up to the task. And the addition of Jerry O'Connell as "Woody" Hoyt just adds to the fun.

"Crossing Jordan" may not be the best show on TV, certainly not the greatest of all time, but it's definitely worth watching...despite what some people might tell you. 7/10 stars.

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13 out of 15 people found the following comment useful :-
I Love It. . ., 28 November 2002
Author: nikita_5952 (nikita_5952@yahoo.com) from Dallas, TX, USA

So I note some mixed reviews here . . .hey, everyone is entitled to his/her opinion. So I guess I'll add mine. The show is good. A nice mix of medical/crime drama and the personal lives of the characters. I've read where some said that the idea of the M.E. solving a crime is ridiculous. I don't see how that can be the case when coroners and M.E.s are often given the evidence to decipher it. Of course it's dramatized . . .IT'S A TV SHOW! If you want pure science and pure fact then flip over to A&E or Discovery and watch a documentary. Not saying that such shows are without merit; I enjoy them immensely. But if you want a good mix of forensics and crime story mixed up with the complexity of some admittedly very quirky characters (we all know some weird ones and you'll probably recognize the traits in a few of your own acquaintances), then check out Crossing Jordan. It's an hour well spent and much better than it's rival CSI: Miami I think.

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21 out of 33 people found the following comment useful :-
WTF? Started good, but oh so bad?, 25 November 2004
Author: roadies25 from Mississauga, ON, CANADA

I'm not sure what show thwolf was watching, but it doesn't appear that he was watching this one. Crossing Jordan has been one of the freshest and most interesting of the new crop of "crime dramas" that have surfaced recently. In the same vein as CSI, this show has taken the genre to new levels. It does what CSI does, but better, with more humour and a more interesting cast. Does CSI do well as a show? Yes, but if I had to pick between the two, my money would be on Crossing Jordan. Miguel Ferrer has done top notch work (Top Guns: Part Deux notwithstanding), Jill Hennessy is one of the hottest looking women out there, Jerry O'Connell, well, I've liked him since "My Secret Identity", and the supporting cast crack me up on a weekly basis. As for accuracy and versimilitude, I have a friend who works in the local Coroners office and while the office he works in isn't nearly as bright and breezy as the Boston office in Crossing Jordan, the general feel and the equipment that is mentioned in the show is spot on. Someone on staff does their homework.

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8 out of 8 people found the following comment useful :-
Quincy on estrogen, 30 July 2006

Author: johnfuen from San Diego, California, United States

My first reaction when I caught my first episode of "Crossing Jordan" was that this show was going to be kind of "Quincy" on estrogen. Now after watching this show for a couple of seasons, I have to say that my original impression was selling this show short.

The ensemble cast of Jill Hennesey, Mel Ferrer, Kathyrn Hahn, Steven Valentine, Ravi Kapoor, and Jerry O'Connell represent one of the strongest in recent dramas since E.R. The characters played by these actors and actresses are well written and you really care about them.

The mystery aspect of the show is good, but its the characters that make the show so good.

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7 out of 9 people found the following comment useful :-
love Crossing Jordan, 15 April 2006
Author: scarlettimes from United States

the first few seasons were so much better, and I believe the interaction between Jordan and her father was the best. Ken Howard added to Jordan, they complimented each other. Now it seems as though she is going nowhere and has no one. I don't necessarily think Ken Howard has to be in every show but he does add to Jordan's character. He was a essential part of the show. I find I don't have to see it every week anymore, because it is more about Woody and the silliness that goes on there. The story line between Woody and Jordan does not even make any sense and you can't keep up with it, one time it's there and the next you are wondering what happened and trying to figure out if you missed something along the way. The one thing I miss the most is Ken Howard on the show, he gave Jordan a base.

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