From a reader:

Whether or not you think they’re heavily politicizing their storylines, please at least realize that the current cast is the best in YEARS. Capital-Y Years. They’ve seamlessly moved McCoy up to DA position and beefed up the “back-room politics” with which all DAs must deal; replaced him as head ADA with Linus Roache who seems like he’s been doing this for years, and have the trusty sidekick who’s tons, tons, tons better than the awful Elisabeth Rohm. In addition, new cop Jeremy Sisto replaces the first female detective who was also awful. If the acting’s top-notch, does the storyline really matter?

Me: I will say I got the sense that the cast really is much improved, even if I spent half the show wondering where I’d seen Jeremy Sisto before (answer: He played Elton in Clueless). But I should also say, Yes the storyline really matters. It really does.