This week, iTunes offers a free pilot episode of A&E's new show "The Beast", starring Patrick Swayze.

I guess I'm glad to see that Patrick Swayze is working after his scare with pancreatic cancer. Last I read, he was still pretty sick, so I don't know what that means for the future of this show. In the show, he appears pretty gaunt, but the look lends a fierceness to his demeanor that's suited to the part. Here's hoping he stays healthy.

That said, the show is much better than I expected for a standard FBI drama. It's gritty, intense, and darker than I thought it'd be. The pilot has a great twist that makes it worth watching on its own.

Get "The Beast".