Comparing Canadian and American Police Dramas

 

CHARACTERS

FLASHPOINT:

• Gregory "Greg" Parker: Caucasian, crisis negotiator, prefers situations to be resolved through dialogue instead of lethal force, caring, peaceful
• Ed Lane (Protagonist of the episode): Caucasian, tactical leader, best sniper, has emotions, struggles between lethal force and negotiating with words
• Julianna "Jules" Callaghan: Caucasian, intelligence gatherer, stereotypical "woman cop," trained sniper, and does not like back-stabbing
• Sam Braddock: Caucasian, believes lethal force is the solution instead of using dialogue, protectiveness
• Kevin "Wordy" Wordsworth: Caucasian, team's entry, CQB expert
• Michaelangelo "Spike" Scarletti: Caucasian, demolitions and tactical tech expert
• The enraged man (Antagonist of the episode): Foreigner, does not speak english, has bad temper and behaviour issues
• The hostage: typical woman worker, Caucasian

THE CHICAGO CODE:

• Jarek Wysocki (Protagonist): a tough Chicago Polish-American homicide detective, legendary figure in the department, macho, hates profanity, intimated with his family issues
• Teresa Covin (Protagonist): Caucasian female police superintendent, very tough and ambitious, unafraid to challenge, incompetent
• Caleb Evers: a young Caucasian homicide detective, Jarek's partner, good observational skills
• Vonda Wysocki: a rookie police officer, caring, kind, Jarek's niece
• Isaac Joiner: black, a young and ambitious officer, hot-shot, partner with Vonda Wysocki, caring
• Liam Hennessey: low-level thug, under-cover, Caucasian, mysterious
• Alderman Ronin Gibbons: a black Chicago alderman, most influential figure, kind, respectful, wise
• Criminals: all of them are either black or different nationalities. 

The significant differences between these shows are that in "The Chicago Code," characters are more racially diverse and stereotyped, such as the criminals. In "Flashpoint," most of main and important characters are Caucasians, however in "The Chicago Code," some important characters are black. These are the significant differences between these two shows. 

I would prefer to watch "The Chicago Code," because the racial diversity is more realistic compare to the real life, and also the characters have different characteristics and issues that can be related to people living in real-life. The "Flashpoint"do have some realistic parts to it, such as the emotions (ex. guilt) that Ed Lane felt after he shot the enraged man. However, the stereotypes in this show is too unrealistic, because not every characters who are good is Caucasians and bad characters are not always foreigners.

I believe that the "Flashpoint" has some parts that makes it distinctly Canadian, such as the setting of the show. The episode takes place in Canada, because in one scene, you can clearly see the CN Tower. This also applies to "The Chicago Code." The Chicago Code takes place in most likely in US, because of the feeling of Ghetto-ness in the episode. However, the general concept of the two shows are essentially same, because both of them deals with very strong stereotypes and somewhat diversity.

American audiences would enjoy watching the "Flashpoint," because the general story flow is essentially close to the US shows, and even though the settings of the show is in Canada, the general concept of the show is not that distinctly Canadian, therefore American audiences would be entertained watching the "Flashpoint."