As the NBC promo says, "'Crossing Jordan' is the best new crime drama ontelevision " and you won't get any argument here. Of course, the statementdoesn't hold water when you realize it is the only new crime drama onbroadcast television. Despite exposing the promo, "Crossing Jordan" is asolid show with enormous potential. Unfortunately, creator Tim Kringdecided to make the drama an ensemble cast that forced a group ofuninteresting characters into the spotlight alongside its star, JillHennessy. For those of you unfamiliar with the plotline, the show centerson Dr. Jordan Cavanaugh (Hennessy, formerly of "Law & Order") as a Bostonmedical examiner who goes above and beyond her job description byinvestigating and solving the murders of people on which she is supposed tobe working. Toward the end of each of her investigations, Cavanaugh enliststhe help of her father, Max (Ken Howard), a retired police officer.

It is the interaction between father and daughter where the show breaksdown the crime from different perspectives until -- POOF! -- the crime issolved. The role-playing game is somewhat eerie, but works perfectly withinthe show and gives it an added twist unlike any drama on television. Oncethe cases fall into Jordan's lap, they begin, innocent enough, but severalmissing ingredients are needed to explain how this dead body ended up onher table. They are quickly discovered and, from there, she heads off(sometimes with police assistance, other times not) to investigate thecrime. When she typically runs into a roadblock, she searches for helpfrom her father. The two of them sit at the kitchen table studying thefacts and looking over the gruesome autopsy photos until they decide toplay a game of "Who do you want to be: killer or victim?" By playing outthe crime in their heads, they envision several scenarios until one clicks.It's as eerie as it sounds, more so because it is father and daughterplaying the roles of victim and killer.

This bizarre role playing is the highlight of the show and if the entirehour was centered on Jordan's investigating abilities, then it would get aterrific recommendation. However, to fill up space, the show focuses onfive of Jordan's coworkers. This is where the show loses any edge it mayhave gained and makes you want to change the channel. It isn't that thefive aren't good actors; they are just given incredibly boring cases(storylines) that barely hold your interest.

If you weren't waiting for Jordan's character to reappear, then this showwould be a snooze-fest. But if you can hold out until then, you will seethere is no need for an early bedtime, due entirely to the character playedby Hennessy. While her Jordan character isn't exactly one you would rootfor or even want to be friends with, she is the glue holding the showtogether and is strong enough to make up for the severe weak links of"Crossing Jordan." Even though the show doesn't hit home on all of itspotential, this Monday 10pm/9c drama is indeed "watchable." That, ofcourse, isn't saying a lot.