Ep 1. Welcome to Camelot

The show Third Watch is a crime drama centered on the lives of police officers, paramedics, and firefighters who work the night shift in New York City. In season 1 episode 1, titled "Welcome to Camelot," we are introduced to the diverse cast of characters who work at the fictional precinct of the 55th in Manhattan.

The episode opens with a briefing at the precinct, where we meet the commanding officer Lieutenant John Miller (played by JK Simmons) and the rest of the team. From the outset, we get a sense of the different personalities and backgrounds of the characters; there's the brash, no-nonsense Bosco (played by Jason Wiles), his more level-headed partner Yokas (played by Molly Price), the rookie cop Sully (played by Skipp Sudduth), the empathetic paramedic Doc (played by Michael Beach), and his new partner, the mouthy Davis (played by Coby Bell).

As the members of the 55th go about their business, we see them respond to various emergency calls around the city. Bosco and Yokas deal with a domestic dispute that turns violent, Sully chases down a suspect with a gun, while Doc and Davis try to save the life of a man having a heart attack. These scenes are shot with a gritty realism that conveys the chaos and danger of working in law enforcement and emergency services.

Throughout the episode, we also get glimpses into the personal lives of the characters. Bosco is revealed to be a single father struggling to pay rent and take care of his diabetic son, while Yokas is dealing with the aftermath of her husband's recent brain surgery. Meanwhile, Sully and Davis have a strained relationship, and Doc struggles with the loss of his wife. These personal struggles are woven into the fabric of the show and serve to deepen our understanding and connection to these characters.

The episode also introduces a few ongoing subplots that will carry throughout the season. For instance, we see a pair of detectives investigating a series of convenience store robberies that they suspect may be linked to an inside job. We also see hints of a potential romantic relationship between Bosco and Yokas, as they share a tender moment together after a particularly harrowing call.

Overall, "Welcome to Camelot" is an excellent pilot episode that sets the stage for the rest of the series. The show's focus on the men and women who work the night shift in emergency services is unique and provides a fresh perspective on the genre of crime drama. The cast of characters is engaging and well-drawn, and the writing is sharp and realistic. For fans of police procedurals and character-driven dramas, Third Watch is a must-watch show.