NBC must be nervous about the new comedy, The Mysteries of Laura since they have already aired the pilot episode two times last week. Tonight, the episode will air a third time in hopes that it will be everyone’s new favorite show. This could happen, but it might take a few weeks as the premiere is bogged down with too many storylines. However, by the end of the show, viewers get a better idea of who Laura is and what she is going through.

Laura Diamond (Debra Messing) has a life that is spinning out of control. She is separated from her husband; her children manage to get themselves kicked out of school and her day job as a NYPD homicide detective is pretty consuming. This premise is pretty fun and Laura is fairly likeable, but the rest of the cast is not – at least not yet.

For one, Laura’s two boys are brats. Not just mischievous little boys, but brats. Laura is overwhelmed by them but hardly even scolds the boys. When a woman at the park tells her that her sons are urinating on each other, she is embarrassed, but doesn’t say a word to the two. Every parent watching the show will have a few words of wisdom that they will want to share with her.

For two, Laura’s husband, Jake (Josh Lucas) is a jerk. Laura has filed for divorce, mostly due to the fact that Jake cheated on her. He doesn’t want to let her go, but doesn’t do much to make amends. Instead of disciplining the children, he encourages their loud and rude behavior. Again, Laura doesn’t say much. Laura is frustrating.

Third, her co-worker, Meredith (Janina Gavankar), who is barely seen in the episode, is clearly not happy with Laura, but we don’t know why. It’s not nearly as fun to see two people argue when you don’t know why they are doing so. All in all, with the exception of partner Billy (Laz Alonso), the characters seem a little too far out of reach to relate to them and the first case of the season is fairly odd too, but hopefully, all of that will change soon.

Despite that fact that the investigation of the first crime is silly and convoluted, how Laura pieces all of the key elements is together is impressive. Earlier scenes are played back and we can see how some of the evidence slipped right past us. It is sort of like a younger version of Murder She Wrote. Also, by the time the show ends, some of its earlier problems are ironed out somewhat, which should provide for a clean palate to work with for the second episode. Laura smartly stays away from trying to make the show a drama, but if it could pump in a little more heart into the scripts, it could turn out to be a smart, funny and enjoyable show.

The Mysteries of Laura airs Wednesday nights at 8:00 p.m. on NBC.