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A promising 'Shark'

Another fall television season, another new legal drama.

Yet CBS' "Shark," premiering tonight at 10, is something different. Not because of its premise or plots, which aren't particularly original. Rather, it's the sheer force of James Woods' magnetic persona that lifts the new show out of otherwise murky waters.

Mr. Woods, in his series television debut, stars as Los Angeles lawyer Sebastian Stark, better known in legal circles as Shark. He's one of those high-powered criminal defense attorneys who often attract questionable clients, such as O.J. Simpson. You wonder how they sleep at night. However, Stark actually has a crisis of conscience after one of the clients he has saved from a guilty verdict goes on to murder the wife he had been charged with attempting to kill.

The district attorney's office offers Stark a chance to do penance: help convict the criminals he once defended. At first, Stark resists: "I eat prosecutors for breakfast; they're my main source of fiber," he protests. Soon, though, he's persuaded to switch sides -- and it probably doesn't hurt that DA Jessica Devlin is played by the voluptuous, blond Jeri Ryan ("Star Trek: Voyager," "Boston Public").

Mr. Woods, an Oscar nominee for his roles in "Salvador" and "Ghosts of Mississippi," brings his trademark intensity and seriousness to "Shark" -- a seriousness without irony or camp, traits not often seen on network television. Dialogue such as, "Your job is to win. Justice is God's problem" might seem silly spoken by a lesser talent.

Tonight's pilot was directed by Spike Lee, another talent known primarily for feature films. His fluid camera work provides "Shark" with a great deal of energy. Jousting scenes between Mr. Woods and Miss Ryan are particularly engaging.

"Well, this should be fun," Miss Ryan's district attorney says to Stark at one point.

So far, it certainly looks that way.

Kelly Jane Torrance