“Boomtown”
Sunday night at 10 on Ch. 4
½
BETTER pay attention when watching “Boomtown.”
It has a gimmick, which is basically this: The story gets repeated over and over in scientifically partitioned segments until you’ve heard the tale from the point of view of all the characters.
Usually, but not always, the process results in surprise revelations that move the plot along until you finally understand what happened.
But that’s only if you were paying attention, which won’t be the most taxing thing you’ve ever done.
In the first two episodes provided for preview, the formula gets the plot across with minimal confusion, although you wonder at times if all the time-shifting and multiple storytelling is really necessary.
Well, maybe. Because if this show gave it to you straight, it would run the risk of becoming just another violent L.A. cop show.
And who needs another one of those?
Donnie Wahlberg and Neal McDonough – both veterans of “Band of Brothers” – give standout performances, as does Mykelti Williamson (Bubba from “Forrest Gump”) in the role of “Fearless” Bobby Smith. Which raises the age-old question: Why does the black guy in these shows always have to have a “street” nickname?