Wiseguy

Wiseguy is an American crime drama television series that aired on CBS from 1987 to 1990. The series distinguishes itself among others of its genre by having an ongoing story arc that spans several episodes, a format popularly known as "story arc".

The innovative series was created by the well-known duo, Stephen J. Cannell and Frank Lupo, producers renowned for their genius work in the realm of television, particularly in the genre of action and crime investigation. With Wiseguy, they were able to showcase a raw and enthralling perspective into the complex underbelly of various criminal syndicates and law enforcement's struggle to maintain order and justice.

The central character of Wiseguy is Vincent Michael Terranova, played by Ken Wahl, a dedicated Organized Crime Bureau (OCB) agent who works undercover to infiltrate the dangerous world of organized crime. A main highlight of the show remains the intense drama and psychological struggles faced by Terranova, gradually creating a deep-seated character study which only added layers to the overall narrative of the series.

While juggling physical dangers, Terranova also tends to grapple with ethical boundaries and the strain on his personal relationships. His only ally is his staunch OCB handler and supervisor, Frank McPike, portrayed by Jonathan Banks. McPike swiftly becomes Terranova's anchor and primary source of support during his turbulent assignments, often providing him with crucial advice and guidance.

In addition, a critical character in the series is Lifeguard, another 'everyman' OCB agent whose job it is to keep an eye on Terranova, ensuring his safety and providing timely help. Lifeguard, portrayed by Jim Byrnes, helps set the stage for some of the series' intriguing twists and plots.

Appreciated for its unique storytelling strategy, Wiseguy revolves around the infiltration of different crime organizations over extended story arcs. Each arc comprises several episodes, developing a thorough narrative that keeps viewers engrossed, building tension, suspense, and allowing for rich and complex character development.

The first story arc delves into the mob world, where Sonny Steelgrave, played by Ray Sharkey, is a mob boss struggling with inner strife amongst his ranks. The second storyline introduces the intriguing character of Mel Profitt, a psychologically disturbed arms dealer, portrayed by Kevin Spacey.

Wiseguy is also known for its realistic depiction of crime, showing a dual perspective that not only focused on the criminals, but also on the law enforcement officials. It displayed both the physical and emotional toll these investigations took on agents like Terranova, who had to regularly risk their lives and psychologically prepare to immerse themselves in the gruesome underworld of crime.

The show’s creators took a unique approach to storytelling, often opting to let the main antagonist of the story arc survive well beyond the expectation of the viewers. This treatment allowed audiences to truly understand the villain's motivations and added depth to their character, a rarity in crime dramas of that era.

Despite being set in a bleak and gritty world, Wiseguy also manages to infuse moments of levity, usually through the camaraderie of Terranova, McPike, and Lifeguard. These moments of respite offer some balance to the show's otherwise intense ambiance.

With unique storytelling, nuanced character depictions, intriguing plots, and a realistic portrayal of the world of organized crime and law enforcement, Wiseguy was a groundbreaking show during its time. Its impact on television storytelling techniques is well recognized, inspiring many subsequent crime dramas to adopt similar serialized story arcs. The series remains a pivotal milestone in the evolution of television crime dramas.

As a last note, Wiseguy was honored with several award nominations and wins during its run, which is a testament to its significant depiction of undercover operatives' life in battle against organized crime. Their depiction of the blurred lines between the agents and the underworld they infiltrate brought a unique angle of suspense and drama on the small screen that secured their place as one of the pioneering crime dramas of television history.