A groundbreaking inside look at the long shot election and tumultuous first term of Larry Krasner, Philadelphia's unapologetic District Attorney, and his experiment to upend the criminal justice system from the inside out.
Its strongest moments are when the directors allow it to breathe, letting us be flies on the wall during heated conversations about new policies and procedures.
For anyone looking for a leader who is not interested in simply paying lip service to win an election or a second term, Philly D.A. will likely be their candidate of choice.
The series is clearly enamored with Krasner's aspirations, but it isn't blind to his early failings, most stemming from a predictably myopic refusal to understand that the job he was elected to do requires tactful politics and negotiation.
All these conflicts are messy, uncomfortable and human, and "Philly D.A." gives voice to a range of Philadelphians, including hard-line police, left-wing activists and residents worried about crime and police abuses.
The first two episodes are engrossing, fast paced, and clear about the stakes of the DA office trying to implement a new agenda while retaining public trust, and the challenges of trying to turn a ship in a new direction.
Important, consequential work and an in-depth examinations of social issues might not automatically make for great television, but issues and entertainment merge seamlessly here.
It's hard not to think that a feature-length film with a much more clear focus, and not a series juggling so many ingredients in an impersonal fashion, could have more powerfully shown the impact of one man in this important office on the people he serves
