This television series, sadly cut short after one season due to the untimely and lamentable passing of Patrick Swayze, would I am sure have been a massive hit. It is dark, gritty, tense and different from the usual clean-cut you-know-which-side-you-are-on cop shows littering Americam and British TV. Swayze plays Charles Barker an undercover covert assignment cop, who takes on the big cases and seems to have the moral flexibility that is required in law enforcement sometimes to get the right moral result. His partner Travis Fimmel plays the wet behind the ears but riding the learning curve under the mentorship of Barker. Together with his pretty face, which opens a lot of doors, and determination to impress Barker, and Barker's die hard attitude, things get done. Each episode is a good, interesting case, out of the ordinary but the overall story arch is whether Barker despite his good results and intentions is as bent as the proverbial nine bob note. And you really don't know.Dove (Fimmel) is constantly courted by the FBI to snitch on Barker's dealings in order to ascertain once and for all whether he is just as crooked as the guys he's putting away and the angst for Dove's conscience is what drives the back plot. Ultimately Dove is a do-right-guy and is often shocked at Barker's methods, which seem a little far-fetched to get away with but he's a veteran, is slick and experienced but obviously does have secrets that he's hiding.This is good TV. It's not all guns blazing, gratuitous sex and violence, cars blowing up and ridiculous plot culmination. People don't fold under routine questioning and hold their hands up and say - "Yes okay I did it." It's far more complex than that, and the viewer will have moral quandaries to negotiate. What would you do in so and so situation? If you want brainless entertainment, this isn't for you.Great television. Whilst it was a great show, and ended high and off a cliff (hanger), I'm glad it wasn't continued. I read somewhere that Patrick was undergoing treatment during filming but refused pain medication as it made his performance more gritty and determined. Dedication to the craft, and it shows. His passing is still sorely felt and this television series is prime example of why he was a shining light in Hollywood and will not be forgotten - stunning acting in the episode "Mercy". Fimmel I hope goes onto bigger and brighter things as he's a very talented actor himself, and I'm sure will be glad he had the chance to work with a professional such as Swayze.

Patrick Swayze first impressed me with "Dirty Dancing" and I had hoped to see him helm a spate of musicals. After nearly losing hope, I had the pleasure of watching Swayze again in "Ghost" and was impressed by his soothing mix of masculine sweetness. Given the enormous success of these two films, plus his impressive stint in "North and South," I surely expected a spate of impressive Swayze movies. Alas, then came the insipid "Next of Kin" (ruined by a "Hollywood" ending), the turgid "Point Break" and the sleazy "Road House". I was apparently one of few who enjoyed "FatherHood," but I was really beginning to give up hope that Hollywood would EVER take full advantage of Swayze's dramatic abilities. Ironically, but fitfully, along comes "The Beast" to give Swayze a chance to REALLY demonstrate his "acting chops," just as his boyishly handsome looks wasted away to cancer, with "The Beast," which is also the darkest, grittiest "cop show" I have seen since "The Shield". While I admire this 13 episode homage to the Swayze persona, I really wish the producers would repackage this excellent series with a new leading man. Certainly, any number of fine actors could play rogue FBI agent Charlie Baker; Liam Neeson, Denzil Washington, Russell Crowe, Michael Chiklis, Hugh Laurie, Jamie Bamber, Timothy Oliphant, David Morse and Will Patton come immediately to mind.NOTE TO PRODUCERS: If you DO decide to revive "The Beast," either for theaters or RV, PLEASE retain the style and music of the original series, as both are superb.I give "The Beast" a solid "8".

finally a show thats brand new. all these other cop shows are all the same. this one is fresh out of the box. the first thing that made this show great was Patrick swayze who plays charles barker. hes a kind of FBI agent were he gets answers just not by the book. we need a character like that. a character thats tough but cares. he has a dark past and through the whole season people keep coming to his partner Ellis. wanting him to investigate his partner because they think hes dirty. his partner does and doesn't think so. but we all know he isn't. also this show does different kinds off cases that other shows do. there bigger and more fun to watch. to bad Patrick swayze died. he was a great actor and i would of loved to see another season of the beast. season 1 is out on DVD now. buy it.

This is one of the best series I have ever seen (I'm 66). With Patrick's passing it may be that they do not continue the series. In my opinion this would be a major mistake. He worked so hard to make this series what it is. They need to take a long hard look at how to work his passing into the story line and using the actors already in the series continue the storyline. Travis Fimmel (Ellis Dove) plays his part so well and could continue the fight for justice for Charles Barker (Patrick Swayze). Lindsay Pulsipher (Rose Lawrence) so fantastic in her role, who is studying law could become a lawyer along the way and support Ellis in the fight as well as others that were Barkers friends. This series has so many exciting ways it could go and continue being as good and exciting as the first season. I hope you get busy and get some scripts written and get going on the second season. Every person I see on TV comments on how hard Patrick Swayze worked on this series even with his health problems. I believe it would not only honour his hard work to continue the series but also honour him as well. Please keep it going!!! Why not put his younger brother "Don Swayze" into the role. He would fit perfectly and he could be worked in as a younger brother already in the FBI and partnering with Ellis to continue the fight! This series is just too good to drop!