No Time for Re-Runs

from CJ

So, now that we have four seasons of TV (which I kinda hate because all too often the only shows I like are on opposite each other and unless they're also online I can't catch up with re-runs in the "off" season) I thought I'd share my thoughts on some summer crime shows that just ended. 

First, Law and Order: Criminal Intent.  I've never been a big fan of this show, but had to see what would happen when they added one of my favorite actors Jeff Goldblum to the mix.  Have to say that I enjoyed his take on tortured and a little-wacky cop better in the short-lived Raines.  His CI Detective Nichols is too smart, too smug, too smarmy...just like his counterpart, Detective Goren. We often already know who-done-it, so why not let us see how hard it is for our detectives to make their case instead of hammering us over the head with how much smarter these characters are than us plain folk?  It's Columbo on steroids, but without the humanity.

Saving Grace was one of my favorite shows its first two seasons.  This season, however, was a miss for me.  Every episode felt like an inside joke between the writers and the cast--in fact, one entire episode was about an elaborate practical joke/fake murder the characters pulled on each other!!!  The characters are all very interesting, but seem to spin out of control when they don't have an over-arching story-line to hold fast to, and this in season that anchor was missing.  Even Earl's halo lost its sparkle as most of his dialogue consisted of "I dunno, Grace" rather than the witty repartee that added zing to the first seasons.

Burn Notice.  When it first debuted, I was worried that this show may not last long--which would be a shame because it has a great cast of wonderful actors, blends action, drama, and comedy, and is just fun to watch!  The writers have cleverly taken what could have deteriorated into a tiresome premise (a spy gets burned and wants to find out why) and with each season have twisted the premise by answering some questions and raising more questions as well as the personal stakes to the main characters.  And the cast's chemistry is some of the best on TV, not to mention the witty dialogue and the fast-paced, unrelenting action!  One of my favs and I can't wait for next season!

In Plain Sight is in its second season.  The main character is a female US Marshal juggling a dysfunction family, an often dysfunctional work environment, and her own, well, dysfunctional personality.  The first season it was interesting to see a smart, strong female action lead, but the personal luggage (both figurative and literal) quickly grew tiresome.  How many times do we need to see Mary manipulated by her alcoholic mother and user-loser sister?  How many times do we need to get hit over the head with her abandonment and commitment issues?  How many times do we need to see her male partners (both romantic and professional) quietly pine for her affection like lost puppies only to have Mary insult and humiliate them, again?  While this season rehabilitated Mary's family, it did little to polish Mary's abrasive pugnaciousness and ended on cliff-hanger where Mary hangs close to death.  I'm not sure if I'll be back to see if she makes it into the next season....

The Closer was a show I almost gave up on last season--Brenda, the main character's main dilemma was whether or not to commit to her long-time, long-suffering, nice-guy fiance.  By the end of last season, I was hoping he'd just shoot her and put her out of everyone's misery.  But instead, the saintly Fritz did marry Brenda and this season they're coping with their wedded not-so-bliss.  And I have to say, this season rocks!

Not only have the writers allowed Brenda to mature in her relationship with Fritz, she's also matured professionally, earning the respect of not just her team but also people who had previously been her biggest detractors.  But the writers didn't let her rest on her laurels.  Instead they upped the ante as Brenda juggles personal crises (mundane, everyday things that all of us can relate to like a dying pet and a rebellious teen relative), wrestles with moral and ethical dilemmas that have no easy answer, and risks friends, family, and Fritz in her quest for justice for her victims.

She's a complex character who never takes the easy way out (although she does often manipulate even those closest to her when it suits her) and at times is even unlikeable when she places her case (is it her need for justice or a need to win at all costs??? neither, both?) before everything--including her loved ones.

Multi-faceted characters like Brenda, even when I don't agree with what she chooses, will always get me back for more!

So those are my hits and misses for the summer TV season--you tell me, what shows did you like?  Which ones are you most looking forward to start this fall?

Thanks for reading,
CJ

About CJ:
As a pediatric ER doctor, CJ Lyons has lived the life she writes about in her cutting edge suspense novels. Her debut, LIFELINES (Berkley, March 2008), became a National Bestseller and Publishers Weekly proclaimed it a "breathtakingly fast-paced medical thriller."

The second in the series, WARNING SIGNS, was released January, 2009 and the third, URGENT CARE, is due out October, 2009. Contact her at http://www.cjlyons.net





Photos courtesy of: USA network and TNT