New dramas hope viewers are willing to commit

‘Standoff’
When a pilot doesn't know whether to be funny or serious, romantic or action-oriented, that does not bode well. Such is the case with “Standoff” (FOX, Tuesdays, 9 p.m. ET), a drama following FBI crisis negotiators that spends a ridiculous amount of time on two boring, infatuated agents even while a much more interesting crisis unfolds behind them.

There’s absolutely no chemistry between agents Matt Flannery (Ron Livingston) and Emily Lehman (Rosemarie DeWitt), so when they stop in the middle of hostage situations to have relationship discussions, it’s comical. Matt says things to Emily such as, “You walk in there and there is no us.” Out of context, that’s hysterically ridiculous, but the series treats it seriously. “Standoff” apparently wants viewers to feel the dramatic weight of both the unlikely romance and the implausible, underdeveloped situations the agents encounter.

Both Livingston and Gina Torres, who plays his boss, deserve a better series. Livingston is the only person involved in the production, however, who seems to understand that this could have been “Ally McBeal” meets the FBI. Maybe if he took a hostage, someone would listen.    —A.D.

‘Heroes’
“With great power,” goes the oft-quoted "Spider-Man" line, “comes great responsibility.” It’s not yet apparent what kind of responsibilities will emerge for the loosely connected bunch of suddenly super folks in “Heroes” (NBC, Mondays, 9 p.m. ET). But their powers — flight, invulnerability, precognition, teleportation — provide plenty of fodder to explore.

FREE VIDEO 'Heroes' Do we need another hero? How about a batch of 'em? MSNBC

The show travels a path already treaded by the X-Men comics and movies, as well as shows like “The 4400.” With its focus on character motivation and angst rather than here-I-come-to-save-the-day superheroics, “Heroes” should appeal to the same audience that appreciates how “Lost” mixes clever thrills and straight-up drama.

Creator Tim Kring told TV critics “this isn’t the Justice League.” So far that’s true, but based on the fairly slow-moving pilot, the show could use a little more of the League’s colorful comic-book zing. Kring spent time producing talky shows like “Crossing Jordan,” “Providence” and “Chicago Hope,” so it’s no wonder these super-powered people are more comfortable chatting than they are donning spandex and battling baddies.

Still, intriguing wrinkles abound. At least a few of the potential good guys seem somewhat reluctant to embrace their new powers and responsibilities. And maybe, just maybe, some of them aren’t really heroes at all.     —B.B.