Cheryl West is a loving Mother and Wife, who has looked the other way all her life. Especially when it comes to her family who's made up of career criminals and juvenile delinquents. At the head of the family is Wolfgang "Wolf" West who has taught his children how to lie, cheat, and steal. But, it looks as if a life of crime has finally caught up to Wolf as he is looking at a lengthy Prison sentence after being convicted of armed robbery. The day of his sentencing The West's get an unexpected visit courtesy of the West Palm Beach Police Department. It seems that their son is the prime suspect in an armed robbery and thus begins a very long, and eventful day in the life of the West Family.
Cal
Cal West is not the smartest tool in the shed, and is the root of most of the family's problems. Being the most influenced by his father, Cal has been robbing homes for the "Family Business" for some time and his latest job may very well be his last. After breaking into a home, Cal finds himself face to face with the homeowner and is less than pleased when he gets his ass kicked by an elderly Asian lady. He runs from the home with several things, including a statue that he later finds out belongs to a local Crime Boss. As the day progresses, Cal gets it in is head that the reason these people want their statue back so bad is that it must be filled with drugs so he smashes it, and much to his dismay it is empty and he now has to explain why he just smashed a priceless heirloom into tiny pieces.
Heather
Heather West is the eldest daughter, and lives up to her dumb blonde image very well. The morning of the police raid, Cheryl discovers some very provocative photos of Heather who thinks the only way she will make it in life is by becoming a model. She tells her Mother that those weren't all the photos and that she has to pay to get the rest. So Heather goes to see the man who wants more than money. He slips a drug into her drink when she rejects him. The only problem is that Heather isn't as stupid as she looks and quickly get revenge on the man by switching glasses and stealing the photos.
Hope
Hope West is the youngest in the family, and seems to profit off her older siblings misfortunes. With her too cool for school attitude, she spends her days playing hooky and surfing the net at a local Coffee Shop. When Cheryl comes to her class only to find that Hope told the school she has Lupus and hasn't been to school in months. What Cheryl doesn't know is that Hope is blackmailing her Principal with racy photos of her and a 17-year old student, who just so happens to be her brother, Logan.
Logan
Logan West is Cal's identical twin brother, and is the only straight-laced law abiding citizen in the bunch. While his family was busy breaking the law, he was studying it. It just so happens the day of his father's sentencing, is the day he is to be sworn in as one of California's newest lawyers.
Cheryl's Resolution
Cheryl learns that her husband will be spending the next five years in prison for his crime. Faced with the realization that she will be alone and have to keep her kids safe, she decides that the family's life of crime is over and that The Wests are going to go straight. She confronts The Hongs (the owners of the artifact that Cal stole) and makes a deal that will force Cal to work for the family, until he can pay off his debt for the broken heirloom. Cheryl gets Heather a job at Rusty's Burgers, and threatens Hope with bodily harm if she misses even one more day of school. With her husband in jail, and her kids on the straight and narrow one would hope things are going to get better for The Wests but I have a feeling things are only going to get worse.
The Show
Virginia Madsen is smart, and beautiful which isn't easy considering her character looks like she has lived life to its fullest, and has the tattoos to prove it. The show is very promising mostly because it has assembled a great cast. David James Elliot hasn't been in a major TV role since his time on JAG, so it is really great to see him back on television. I have feeling though as the show progresses the standout may be Patrick Flueger, who plays both Logan and Cal West. These men are two polar opposite characters and Cal is a really funny and well written character. I think it is still a little early to call, but Scoundrels has got a lot of promising aspects and if tonight's episode is any indication then ABC may of found itself a keeper.
