Peter Krause Returns to the Small Screen: But Does ‘Line of Fire’ Hit the Mark?
For fans of Peter Krause, seeing him return to a leading role on network television is always a cause for celebration. Whether you’re a member of #TeamBraverman or a fan of his previous grit, his presence usually guarantees a certain level of quality. However, in NBC’s latest drama, Line of Fire, the talent of the lead actor is pitted against a script that might be trying to do far too much at once.
The Premise: A Family of Law and Order
At its core, Line of Fire introduces us to Mike Hollingsworth (played by Peter Krause), a veteran Secret Service agent on the brink of retirement. The show attempts to build a powerhouse dynasty of law enforcement; Mike is the patriarch of a family where nearly every member is in the business of catching bad guys. From the FBI and the Secret Service to the Department of Justice and U.S. Marshals, the Hollingsworth clan covers all the bases.
The plot kicks into gear when a deputy U.S. Marshal is murdered. While the authorities are quick to close the case, the family’s internal drive for justice—and their various professional overlaps—pulls them into a complex web of conspiracy and old secrets.
Too Many Plots, Too Little Heart
While the concept sounds like a high-stakes version of Blue Bloods, Line of Fire quickly deviates into something far more chaotic. The show struggles to find its identity, oscillating between three different genres:
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- Crime Procedural: The weekly “case of the week” elements.
- Conspiracy Thriller: High-level government secrets and presidential assassination attempts.
- Family Dramedy: The tension of a fractured family with separated parents.
Because it tries to be everything at once, the narrative feels overstuffed. Between Mike’s pursuit of a cold-case assassin and the simmering tension between daughter Clare and mother Jane, the screen is crowded with storylines that often fight for attention rather than complementing each other.
The ‘Gossip Girl’ Effect: Soap Opera in the Secret Service
Created by Joshua Safran (known for his work on Gossip Girl and Quantico), the influence of the “soapy” drama is evident. Safran has even described the show as a “procedural Gossip Girl,” which explains the lack of authenticity.
The series is plagued by unrealistic ethical breaches. Characters frequently ignore protocol and bypass their superiors with total impunity, making the professional setting feel more like a stage for melodrama than a realistic depiction of federal law enforcement. From clichés like “calling card” origami cranes at crime scenes to a plot twist that borders on the ludicrous, the show prioritizes shock value over storytelling logic.
Final Verdict: Plot vs. Character
The biggest tragedy of Line of Fire is that it forgets the most important element of television: humanity. While the plot twists are frequent, they lack emotional weight because the characters remain bland and underdeveloped. The banter between siblings feels forced, and the supporting cast exists merely as tools to move the plot forward.
The Bottom Line: While it’s great to have Peter Krause back on our screens, Line of Fire is a missed opportunity. It offers plenty of twists and turns, but lacks the genuine emotional core required to keep viewers invested for the long haul. If you enjoy high-drama soaps with a thin veil of police work, this might be for you—but for those seeking a gripping thriller, this one misses the target.
