TV Show review
September 21, 2016 · 43 min · TV-14
Woke Score
Lower is better
Review
Lethal Weapon is a 2016-2019 Fox TV series reboot of the classic buddy cop films. It follows suicidal former Navy SEAL Martin Riggs as he joins the LAPD and partners with veteran detective Roger Murtaugh, who wants a low-stress life after a heart attack. The two solve crimes in Los Angeles through action, humor, and growing friendship while dealing with grief and family. The story stays focused on partnership and case work with no visible identity politics, activist messaging, or social justice themes in plot, dialogue, or marketing.
Breakdown
These are the editorial factors and ratings behind our score for Lethal Weapon.
Woke representation / casting
Damon Wayans as Murtaugh and Clayne Crawford (later Seann William Scott) as Riggs follows the original films' interracial buddy dynamic and fits diverse Los Angeles naturally; no forced emphasis or story mismatches.
Woke political dialogue
Dialogue covers police work, personal struggles, and humor with zero activist speeches or messaging.
Identity-driven story themes
Core arcs focus on grief, friendship, redemption, and crime-fighting; no race, gender, or identity-centered plots.
Western institutional / cultural critique
Police are shown as competent heroes fighting real threats; no modern critiques of institutions, toxic masculinity, or traditional norms.
Woke character or canon changes
Minor backstory tweaks and a new partner in season 3 after Riggs' exit, but these were production-driven, not ideological shifts from the source.
Anti-woke backlash and complaints
No woke-related backlash or debate existed; all public discussion concerned actor behavior and recasting.
Creator track record context
No key creators have documented histories of activist, political, or identity-driven work.
Production
