Queen Latifah’s CBS drama ‘The Equalizer’ is pandemic comfort food

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“The Equalizer” isn’t anything special. But it’s perfectly fine, which might just be enough right now.

CBS’ new take on the crime drama, which first aired from 1985-89 and was adapted into a 2014 movie and 2018 sequel starring Denzel Washington, is a comfortingly average procedural.

“Equalizer” (Sunday after the Super Bowl, approx. 10 EST/7 PST, then 8 EST/PST starting Feb. 14, ★★½ out of four) twists the formula by casting Queen Latifah as the eponymous vigilante, but not enough to make it unfamiliar. At another time it might have been boringly derivative. But with fewer series amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and many of them incorporating its far-reaching effects into their storylines, there’s something quaintly satisfying about this by-the-numbers drama.

a man standing in front of a brick building: Queen Latifah as Robyn McCall in "The Equalizer."

© Barbara Nitke/CBS
Queen Latifah as Robyn McCall in “The Equalizer.”

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Interview: Queen Latifah on why a Black woman ‘Equalizer’ is ‘necessary’ right now

The new “Equalizer” reimagines its vigilante protagonist Robert McCall as “Robyn” McCall, a CIA operative who left the “company,” as she calls it, after being disillusioned with her work.

She returns home to New York City without much direction, co-parenting her teen daughter, Delilah (Laya DeLeon Hayes) with her ex and hanging out with her Aunt Vi (Lorraine Toussaint). Her former coworker William Bishop (Chris Noth) tries to convince her to return to the CIA, or make a fortune as he does in private security. But a chance encounter with a young girl in a lot of trouble makes Robyn realize she can help people.

More: Queen Latifah on why a Black woman ‘Equalizer’ is ‘necessary’ right now

She enlists the help of her former CIA compatriots, including sniper Mel Bayani (Liza Lapira) and hacker Harry Keshegian (Adam Goldberg) as she starts to set up her operation. In Sunday’s premiere, Robyn helps a young woman wrongly accused of murder, which pits her against a satisfyingly evil tech executive and allows her, like Equalizers before, to win a gunfight without a weapon.

a man sitting at a table using a laptop computer: Adam Goldberg as Harry Keshegian and Liza Lapira as Melody “Mel” Bayani in "The Equalizer."

© Barbara Nitke/CBS
Adam Goldberg as Harry Keshegian and Liza Lapira as Melody “Mel” Bayani in “The Equalizer.”

The action is smooth and exciting, if a bit over-reliant on quick cuts and a moving camera. Robyn is an intriguing version of an archetypal character. Not only is her military and CIA experience a part of her backstory, but her experience as a Black woman informs her choices and style of vigilantism.

Occasionally, Latifah seems disinterested in her character, going through the motions of the role. But other moments in the pilot episode (the only one available for review) hint at a more magnetic lead to come. . Latifah and Hayes have strong chemistry, and an affecting scene between them at the end of the pilot hints at the new places this “Equalizer” can go.

Queen Latifah, Chris Noth are posing for a picture: Queen Latifah as Robyn McCall and Chris Noth as William Bishop in "The Equalizer."

© Barbara Nitke/CBS
Queen Latifah as Robyn McCall and Chris Noth as William Bishop in “The Equalizer.”

“Equalizer” isn’t going to break any records or win many awards, but it’s simple, it has good fight sequences and it’s always nice to see a beloved star get a role like this. And even more, the idea that one person can make a difference for those who have nowhere else to turn is appealing in a world where most of us are so powerless.

If only Robyn could do something about COVID.

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It’s been two decades since we were first introduced to some of our favorite programs, like “Alias.” Jennifer Garner’s journey as the wig-donning Sydney Bristow began Sept. 30, 2001 on ABC.

Kiefer Sutherland starred as Jack Bauer in “24,” the action series that began its countdown clock Nov. 6, 2001 on Fox.

The starter pistol for the CBS competition-reality series “The Amazing Race” first fired Sept. 5, 2001.

Hilary Duff and her cartoon mini-me were the focus of Disney Channel’s “Lizzie McGuire,” which kicked off Jan. 12, 2001.

A few years after ABC axed “Ellen” following Ellen DeGeneres’ public revelation that she is gay, the comedian returned to TV with the short-lived sitcom “The Ellen Show” on Sept. 24, 2001. It aired for just one season on CBS.

“Project Greenlight,” a filmmaking competition executive produced by Ben Affleck, Chris Moore and Matt Damon, debuted on HBO on Dec. 2, 2001.

Joe Rogan began testing contestants’ limits for grossout challenges on NBC’s “Fear Factor” on June 11, 2001.

Anne Robinson began calling out the “Weakest Link” on NBC’s game show on April 16, 2001. (The series was recently revived, with Jane Lynch as host.)

The British version of “The Office,” starring and co-created by Ricky Gervais, kicked off July 9, 2001.

“The Bernie Mac Show” debuted Nov. 14, 2001. In a scene from the Fox series, Mac (top right) is seen with Camille Winbush, far left, Darryl Reed Jr. and Jeremy Suarez. The series ended in 2006; Mac died in 2008.

Paging the doctors of “Scrubs.” NBC’s sitcom, starring (clockwise from bottom left) Judy Reyes, Donald Faison, Sarah Chalke, John C. McGinley, Ken Jenkins and Zach Braff came to life Oct. 2, 2001.

Kristin Kreuk, Tom Welling and Michael Rosenbaum starred in “Smallville,” which portrayed Clark Kent’s early years. The WB drama took flight on Oct. 16, 2001 and lasted 10 seasons.

Country singer Reba McEntire showed off her acting chops on WB’s (and later, CW’s) series “Reba,” beginning Oct. 5, 2001. The series co-starred (clockwise from upper left) Steve Howey, Christopher Rich, Melissa Peterman, Scarlett Pomers, Mitch Holleman and JoAnna Garcia Swisher.

In UPN’s “Star Trek: Enterprise,” Lt. Malcolm Reed (Dominic Keating), Capt. Jonathan Archer (Scott Bakula), Charles “Trip” Tucker (Connor Trinneer) and Dr. Phlox (John Billingsley) manned the Enterprise, beginning Sept. 26, 2001.

Simon Baker starred in “The Guardian.” The CBS drama began Sept. 25, 2001.

Jill Hennessy played Dr. Jordan Cavanaugh on NBC’s “Crossing Jordan,” which premiered Sept. 24, 2001.

Frances Conroy, Lauren Ambrose, Peter Krause, Michael C. Hall and Freddy Rodriguez starred in HBO’s “Six Feet Under,” which held its first funeral on June 3, 2001.

Michael Wilbon hosts ESPN’s “Pardon the Interruption” with Tony Kornheiser. The sports show premiered Oct. 22, 2001.

Once upon a time, journalist Anderson Cooper served as host for ABC’s reality TV competition “The Mole,” which kicked off Jan. 9, 2001.

Jim Belushi, Courtney Thorne-Smith, Garret and Connor Sullivan, Billi Bruno and Taylor Atelian starred in ABC’s “According to Jim,” which began on Oct. 3, 2001.

The father-daughter relationship of Breanna Barnes (Kyla Pratt) and Mark “Flex” Washington (Flex Alexander) played out on UPN’s “One on One” beginning Sept. 3, 2001.

The lives of the Finnerty family were the focus of Fox’s “Grounded for Life,” which debuted Jan. 10, 2001. Top row, left to right: Richard Riehle, Kevin Corrigan, Donal Logue. Bottom: Jake Burbage, Megyn Price, Lynsey Bartilson and Griffin Frazen.

“The Fairly OddParents” debuted on Nickelodeon on March 30, 2001.

The “Justice League” assembled on Cartoon Network Nov. 17, 2001.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Review: Queen Latifah’s CBS drama ‘The Equalizer’ is pandemic comfort food

Queen Latifah’s CBS drama ‘The Equalizer’ is pandemic comfort food

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