Lincoln Rhyme: Hunt for the Bone Collector – Worth the Watch?

Jay McClenahan

4 years ago

Lincoln Rhyme: Hunt for the Bone Collector

Lincoln Rhyme is coming to your screen Friday, January 10th on NBC. (Find out how to watch it early below!)

But, is it worth watching?

What is it?

Adapted from the Jeffrey Deaver books, Lincoln Rhyme: Hunt for the Bone Collector is NBC’s newest specialty crime drama. It tells the story of a gruesome serial killer (The Bone Collector) and the chase led by former NYPD Detective Lincoln Rhyme and his new sidekick, Amelia Sachs – an NYPD Officer with her own desires to rise within the ranks.

In the pilot, we get two stories: Rhyme’s originating hunt of the serial killer from three years prior and present day as it seems the murderer has returned.

LINCOLN RHYME: HUNT FOR THE BONE COLLECTOR — “Pilot” Episode — Pictured: (l-r) Russell Hornsby as Lincoln Rhyme, Michael Imperioli as Det. Mike Sellitto, Arielle Kebbel as Amelia Sachs — (Photo by: Zach Dilgard/NBC)

Who is in it?

Here is a list of the main players:

Russell Hornsby / Detective Rhyme (Proven Innocent, Grimm)
Arielle Kebbel / Officer Amelia Sachs (Ballers, Vampire Diaries)
Brian F. O’Byrne / The Bone Collector (The Magicians, Nightflyers)
Courtney Grosbeck / Rachel Sachs (Homeland, Parenthood)
Brooke Lyons / Kate (The Affair, iZombie)
Tate Ellington / Felix (The Brave, Shameless)
Michael Imperioli / Det. Sellitto (Hawaii Five-0, The Sopranos)
Ramses Jimenez / Det. Castillo (Wisdow of the Crowd, Fear the Walking Dead)
Roslyn Ruff / Claire (Godfather of Harlem, Madam Secretary)

LINCOLN RHYME: HUNT FOR THE BONE COLLECTOR — “Pilot” Episode — Pictured: Brian O’Byrne as Bone Collector — (Photo by: Zach Dilgard/NBC)

Is it good?

Keep in mind, I’ve only reviewed the pilot episode. (Which you can actually stream early on NBC.com if you’d like to see for yourself!)

I enjoyed the books, so was hoping I’d enjoy the series… But, so far, it’s average at best. Hornsby and Kebbel do a decent job bringing their characters to light – and are fun to watch – but there’s something lacking in the overall story. It’s just not very exciting.

There are some moments in the pilot that could be considered “intense” – but overall, the early story is a little dry and feels very “this has been done before”.

If you’re someone a little like me – where you want something new and refreshing – this isn’t the show for you. However, if you can’t get enough of the cat and mouse drama within a police procedural where the lead detective doesn’t follow normal rules – you’ll probably love it.

Final thought

At a minimum, check out the pilot. The characters and story might pull you in just enough to be a fan. For me, though, I think I’m going to stick with the books.