last night, the beast premiered on abc (with apparently disappointing results). for a pilot episode, the show wasn't all that bad. the tone was uneven, and it costars jason gedrick (falcone, ez streets, and murder one -- the guy has an eye for good but doomed television series). it has a bit of an aaron-sorkin pace to it, and you can spot the mimi leder influence in the direction (she loves to shoot through windows, a la the "love's labor lost" episode of er). i'll probably keep watching the show as long as it lasts, but it is certain to join the ranks of all the other interesting dramas that are killed before really finding their footing. (cbs's big apple was the most recent of those.)