Watch Stumptown
- TV-14
- 2019
- 1 Season
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7.5 (12,254)
Stumptown is an American crime drama television series based on the graphic novel series of the same name by Greg Rucka. The show premiered on ABC on September 25, 2019, and ran for one season until March 25, 2020. It stars Cobie Smulders, Jake Johnson, and Tantoo Cardinal in the lead roles. The show revolves around Dex Parios, a sharp-witted and unapologetic army veteran with a complicated love life, gambling debt, and a brother to take care of in Portland, Oregon. Dex is a private investigator by profession, but she is not your typical detective. She has a quick wit, great hand-to-hand combat skills, and a rebellious streak that often gets her into trouble. However, her unconventional approach to cases often leads her to solve them in unique ways that other detectives would overlook. The show opens with Dex driving a car into a truck full of stolen merchandise, which lands her in debt with a dangerous criminal named Artie Banks. Through various twists and turns, Dex ends up taking on a variety of cases that take her into the seedy underbelly of Portland's criminal world. Along the way, she runs afoul of corrupt cops, gangsters, and even her own past, which haunts her in the form of PTSD. Cobie Smulders is excellent in her role as Dex Parios, bringing her trademark intensity and humor to the character. Her chemistry with Jake Johnson, who plays her best friend and confidant, Grey McConnell, is one of the highlights of the show. Grey is a bar owner and an ex-con with a heart of gold. He provides a grounding influence on Dex when she is spiraling out of control. Tantoo Cardinal plays Sue Lynn Blackbird, the owner of a Native American casino and a powerful figure in Portland's political landscape. Sue Lynn hires Dex to find her granddaughter, and in doing so, Dex becomes embroiled in a complex and dangerous case that involves corrupt cops, human trafficking, and the dark secrets of Portland's elite. The show is excellently written, with sharp and witty dialogue that keeps the audience engaged. The cases that Dex takes on are intriguing and often challenge the typical formula of a crime procedural. Additionally, the show's portrayal of PTSD and its effects on veterans is a refreshing change from the typical tough-guy image that is often associated with soldiers. Overall, Stumptown is a well-crafted crime drama that is elevated by its excellent cast and unique spin on the genre. While it was canceled after one season, the show has a devoted fan following and is definitely worth checking out for fans of the crime procedural genre.