Network: USA
Episodes: 12 (hour)
Seasons: One
TV show dates: May 11, 2012 — August 10, 2012
Series status: Cancelled
Performers include: Warren Kole, Michael Ealy, Jack McGee, Sonya Walger
TV show description:
This TV series revolves around two incredible — and incredibly different — police detectives. When things come to a head during their “seven-year itch” as partners, their captain forces them into couples therapy to save their “work marriage.”
Travis Marks (Michael Ealy) has a laidback demeanor and can seem nonchalant but is fiercely intelligent, has natural instincts and a maverick style that works. A product of street living and the foster system, Travis has the uncanny ability to read people. He’s also a ladies man who’s always got a date but has a hard time admitting his mistakes and making a commitment.
His partner, Wes Mitchell (Warren Kole), is intelligent, observant, obsessively methodical, and a man who keeps emotions bottled up inside. His perfectionist behavior sometimes rubs others on the LAPD the wrong way. Formerly an ace lawyer, Wes left that world after a client committed suicide. Now, he tries to keep his free-spirited partner in line and uses his legal acumen and affinity for facts to track down the bad guys. It’s good for the department but his marriage to his wife Alex didn’t survive because of his job.
Captain Sutton (Jack McGee) used to be the fire-breathing dragon of the LAPD homicide division, but years of therapy have made him a more understanding, open leader -– much to the chagrin of anyone who’s around when he feels like sharing.
Travis and Wes have a seven-year track record as the Los Angeles Police Department’s best detectives in the Robbery-Homicide Division. Because their constant bickering is interfering with their work and lands them on probation, Captain Sutton sends them to couples therapy with his own counselor.
A tough-as-nails therapist, Dr. Emma Ryan (Sonya Walger) tries to help Travis and Wes understand and resolve their conflicts and confront their demons in order to enhance their ability to work together solving crimes.
Episode #12 — Gun!
After being kicked out of Dr. Ryan’s group, Wes and Travis make a deal with their eccentric new therapist to get them out of counseling for good. But when a run-in with the members of the Special Investigations Section leads Travis to blow his top, the detectives realize that they don’t just need to go back to therapy — they need Dr. Ryan. Chastened, the duo offers to tell Dr. Ryan the story of how they ended up in counseling in the first place if she’ll take them back.
Flashback a few years. Officer Davis Paek, aka Pac-Man, introduces two detectives who would go on to distinguished careers in the Robbery Homicide Division: Wes Mitchell and Travis Marks. Hoping to return the favor, the detectives throw a couple of arrests their friend’s way and before long Pac-Man is being drafted by the SIS, a step up the ladder that would make any officer envious. But everything is not as it seems in the SIS, and when Pac-Man winds up dead, Wes and Travis start down the path that eventually leads to their meltdown.
Now, on the eve of Pac-Man’s birthday, Wes and Travis have a chance to bring his killers to justice — if they can first repair the damage from their own falling out. With a true breakthrough so close, Wes and Travis must confront the feelings that split them apart.
First aired: August 10, 2012
What do you think? Did you like Common Law? Are you sorry to hear that it’s been cancelled? How would you have ended the show?
Image courtesy USA.
I was surprised that the show was cancelled. I thought it was well received and unlike Fairly Legal it didn’t rely solely on the stars being attractive. I understand why that show was cancelled although they did a disservice to the actress and insulted the viewers intelligence to bank on the fact that she was cute to carry the show. That just became annoying and not at all entertaining which is why we tune in to TV. Common Law on the other hand had a good premise, decent writing, and the stars seemed to enjoy what they were doing and… Read more »
I am sorry to read that Common Law was canceled. I think they were two of the best detectives on TV.
Angry & hurt!!! Hubby and I loved the chemistry that Wes and Travis had. The idea of couples was great. Please can another network pick it up!! I’ having withdrawals!!
why would yall do such a thing? best show ever been waiting for premier and jus found out not gonna be one… wth? : (
My husband and I loved this show! Really disappointed its not returning!
you had a great show and now it’s cancelled…you have to bring it back, it’s a great menu for success..really, please bring it back!
We finally get a show that my hubby and I both like and boom , there it goes..Any more we say we dislike shows that we want kept on..Seems as if we say that we like it, it goes away for more t&a..PLEASE BRING IT BACK.
I, like many others, was anticipated the return of Common Law…it’s not to many shows out today that has te chemistry that these two guys have on screen…I can’t imagine the ratings not being anything but good and supportive of a return Season….
Bring the Boys in Therapy back!!! There are stil issues I’m sure they need to work out.
I can not you would have the poor judgment to cancel this show.
Everyone that I know just loved it and looked forward to it.
The chemistry between the two detectives was pure delight –
what a loss. Get rid of some of those insane reality shows.
Boo for you !!!!
I loved this show. Couldn’t wait for it to come back on. Very disappointed.
I AM ULTIMATELY UPSET BECAUSE U GUYS TRULY DON’T KNOW WHAT TRUE TALENT IS. U DON’T KNOW WHAT A GREAT SHOW IS. REALITY TV WILL DIE WHEN EVERYONE STARTS TO WANT SOMETHING CALLED DRAMA OR A SCRIPTED TELEVISION PROGRAM. SICK OF U GUYS KILLING GREAT TELEVISION. I WANT ONE MORE SEASON AND I WILL START A FACEBOOK CAMPAIGN TO GET THE VIEWERSHIP NEEDED IF NECESSARY BUT MY ENTIRE FAMILY OF 6 ADULTS IN INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA ARE NOT HAPPY.
The actors were good. But honestly what show on tv is about cops, doctor, or bout crime. Reminded of nash bridges except the partners in common law didnt get along. Bring them back on a different type of show and youll have a hit. Stop playing iy safe and doing topics that have ten different tv shows like it. Hell make a shpw bout matrix, or inception, or something that hasnt already been done. Hell make a pirate show. That be killer.
i had a feeling when it had not come back on yet and see previews for new shows. never missed an episode, was excellent. all the shows i like are getting cancelled but they keep bringing back the stupid reality shows, and giving us more of them. i live reality every day!! execs need to get a clue!!!!!!!!!!!! i DVR so i can skip the stupid commercials
I so unhappy that “Common Law” was canceled. It’s one of the best shows since “The Closer” with Brenda Lee Johnson. Fast drama, with a second story line, and quick witted humor.
Loved Travis and Wes. The best show on USA. Reminds me of the classics like Starsky and Hutch or Moonlighting. The writing was smart, witty and fun. USA please reconsider!