Century City, like MDs, was a pathetically short-lived show that I was absolutely head-over-heels in love with. But, unlike MDs, Century City only lasted three weeks.

The show was set around Crane, Constable, McNeil, and Montero, a law firm in 2030, bringing all the ethical complications of such future technologies that may exist to the courtroom. It was the perfect mix of legal drama and sci fi with just a hint of comedy thrown in for good measure. It dealt with the issues in a realistic way and prompted the audience to examine its beliefs. Even the last episode aired, which dealt with a particularly absurd and...inappropriate cosmetic issue, proved thought-provoking in the end.

Between the cases, the audience was introduced (or rather, was still in the process of being introduced) to a great cast of characters. Viola Davis and Hector Elizando played Hannah Crane and Marty Constable, the senior partners in the firm. They served as mentors for the younger attorneys who (at least in the first four episodes) were the main characters.

The other two partners, Darwin McNeil (Eric Schaeffer) and Tom Montero (Nestor Carbonell), were a bit more developed than Crane and Constable, but for the most part came across as one-dimensional, slightly unpleasant characters. Tom was a touch on the egotistical side, and Darwin was far more than a touch. But we were beginning to see more of their better sides when it was savagely RIPPED off the air.

But the true stars were Ioan Gruffudd as Lukas Gold and Kristin Lehman as Lee May Bristol. Lukas was a brilliant young attorney, well-versed in sex crimes, who became a lawyer because he didn’t know what else to do with himself. Lee May was a similarly brilliant young attorney who was genetically engineered to excel as a lawyer. Her infatuation with Lukas bothers her more because it is counter to her logical nature than because he is married.

The show managed to be realistically futuristic. There are no flying cars, no replicators, only cybernetics, cloning, and genetic engineering. Things that are already in the (relatively) early stages of development. It is rather odd, though, to think that Lukas would be a toddler right now.

Century City was created by Ed Zuckerman and was produced by Ed Zuckerman, Katie Jacobs, and Paul Attanasio. CBS aired it from March 16, 2004 until March 30, 2004. Unfortunately, it was played against American Idol and the final season of Frasier. It never had a chance.

RIP, Century City
Created July 25, 2004.