HAND OF GOD Not Involved In This Drama

Article originally published as HAND OF GOD Review on Seat42F.

Amazon has released a new drama called HAND OF GOD, the first season of which is available to stream on Amazon’s website now, free for Prime members. It revolves around Judge Pernell Harris (Ron Perlman, Sons of Anarchy), who undergoes a traumatic experience. Pernell begins believing God is speaking to him, asking him to carry out vigilante justice. Is he right, or is he crazy?

HAND OF GOD sets up a relatively complex story. We have Pernell, of course, along with his wife, Crystal (Dana Delany, Body of Proof), who is at the end of her rope, too, but doesn’t speak to a higher power. The catalyst that has brought them to this point is the rape of their daughter-in-law, Jocelyn (Alona Tal, Burn Notice), and the attempted suicide of their son, PJ (Johnny Ferro, Children of God). The second occurs seven months after the first, but is likely related, given that he was forced to watch the assault of his wife.

That would be enough for any couple to endure, and the Harris family is suffering mightily. With PJ in a coma, it’s no wonder Pernell snaps. Or does he?

HAND OF GOD doesn’t tell us for sure if Pernell is insane or righteous, at least not in the pilot. On one hand, he seems to know things that only God could tell him. Or might he be processing clues he doesn’t consciously realize? Or is he a lucky guesser and his luck will run out? The show keeps us guessing, too, taking us from one event to the next in rapid fire.

Besides the central family, there are a number of other people involved in the chaos, wittingly or not. Reverend Paul Curtis (Julian Morris, Pretty Little Liars), formerly a soap opera star, baptizes Pernell, and may be taking advantage of the judge alongside his morally-challenged partner, Alicia Hopkins (Elizabeth McLaughlin, Betrayal). KD (Garret Dillahunt, Raising Hope) is a violent criminal whom the judge decides to free and use for his own purpose. Mayor Robert Boston (Andre Royo, The Wire) is Pernell’s friend and business partner, confused and concerned about the changes Pernell is going through.

Now, how much each of these people know and how pure their motives are is anyone’s guess. None seem innocent, and a couple may be downright evil. But the writers prefer to keep a twisty, dark story going than lay things out for us, so it may take some time before intentions are truly revealed.

I like HAND OF GOD mainly because of the cast. It’s an excellent group, especially Dillahunt and Perlman, and even if the circumstances aren’t great for their characters, alienating the audience with hideous behavior, the performances are worth watching and admiring.

The story, I’m less into. Perhaps because it’s so hard to figure out what’s going on, combined with mainly unlikeable players in the drama, it doesn’t draw one in as other programs do. It’s hard to care if the man that raped Jocelyn will get justice because it doesn’t feel like that will fix anything for the family, not even a little bit. And the religious angle is played pretty cynically. I’m not religious myself, but I’d like to see doubt sewn into the story that god might actually be involved. Considering what happens, Satan may be a better suspect.

Still, it’s quality stuff, well-made, well-acted, and lacking any glaring flaws or plot holes. I think it’s likely worth giving it a few more hours in order to figure out if the show is for me or not. It’s certainly for someone, and not a program I would dismiss for inferior quality, which gives it a leg up on most fare, especially on the broadcast networks. This is better than that stuff, even if it fails to be as compelling as, say, House of Cards or The Walking Dead, in my opinion.

HAND OF GOD’s entire first season is available now at Amazon.com.

THE COMEDIANS Funny, Not Fresh

Article originally published as THE COMEDIANS Review on Seat42F.

FX’s new series THE COMEDIANS stars comedy veterans Billy Crystal (When Harry Met Sally) and Josh Gad (Book of Mormon) as themselves. Or, rather, they play versions of themselves that are hired to do a sketch show for FX called The Billy and Josh Show. There is not actually a Billy and Josh Show; THE COMEDIANS is a fake documentary about two people who have the same backstory as the actors who play them, but with (presumably) more antagonistic personalities.

My first thought upon watching THE COMEDIANS is that it is not in the slightest bit original. The mockumentary style has certainly been done many times before, from The Office to Modern Family to Christopher Guest films. The person-playing-themselves hook has also been used a lot lately, some examples being James Van Der Beek in Don’t Trust the B- in Apartment 23 and (the gold standard) Larry David in Curb Your Enthusiasm. The format here is most like Showtime’s Episodes, which stars Matt Leblanc as Matt Leblanc, in that Josh and Billy are like the writers of Pucks who are forced to work with the former Friends star against their will. They clash and bicker, and yet they are stuck together by circumstance, to keep careers alive, and because of financial need.

The Comedians is funny, though. In the pilot, we see a couple of their sketches, or aftermaths of the sketches, and they work. The story provides ample opportunity for humor both big and small, with some physicality used sparingly, yet well. I don’t know how much of the sketch show-within-a-show we’ll end up seeing, and honestly, I hope it’s not a lot, but what we do see if terrific.

Josh and Billy themselves are great. Both can make the room uncomfortable very well. Crystal is the more established, and so his actions are more predictable. Josh plays expertly off of him, presenting someone that both represents a generation and who can also be quite his own person. Both have undeniable talent with differing sensibilities, and the others in the cast realize that, but Billy’s long resume gives him the upper hand in most situations, at least for now.

More so than Episodes, though, which has a strong ensemble, The Comedians is going to need to rely on its guest stars. Billy and Josh are great, but they can’t just interact with one another all the time. Their go-between, Kristen (Stephnie Weir, MADtv), is not a likeable, relatable character, and while playing to Weir’s strengths, is just not that essential a part. The other two main cast members, Mitch (Matt Oberg, Hart of Dixie) and Esme (Megan Ferguson, also Hart of Dixie), don’t make much of an impression, though whether that’s because of the actors or because they haven’t been given meaty material yet remains to be seen.

Because of who Billy and Josh are, it will take some very strong players to rise to their level. Luckily, THE COMEDIANS, while failing to stock their home team, has a strong roster of visitors in both recurring and guest capacities. I won’t spoil who all of those are, but two of note are Dana Delany (Desperate Housewives, Body of Proof), who plays Billy’s wife, and Steven Weber (Wings, Helix, Studio 60), as a director hired for The Billy and Josh Show. The former, we only hear, not see, in the pilot, and latter doesn’t show up until the end of the first half hour. Weber’s presence, though, and the part he’s playing are the main reason I’m excited to watch episode two as soon as possible.

I’m cautiously optimistic about THE COMEDIANS. I wish it had taken more chances and gone in a bolder, fresher direction. But what is present is entertaining, and it definitely feels like a show that can grow into something really cool given time. Or not. We’ll see.

THE COMEDIANS premieres Thursday at 10 p.m. ET on FX.

BODY OF PROOF Examined One Last Time

Article first published as DVD Review: 'Body of Proof - The Complete Third Season' on Blogcritics.

The final season of ABC’s Body of Proof  begins on a sad note, with Dr. Megan Hunt (Dana Delany) just getting back to work after three months off, a break taken following the death of her professional partner, Peter (Nicholas Bishop). To make matter worse, her daughter, Lacey (Mary Mouser), is kidnapped, and a bomb is hidden in a dead body. So Megan’s return is not exactly something to celebrate.

It’s kind of nice, though, to start with a case that will match the current tone of the series. With both Bud (John Carroll Lynch) and Sam (Sonja Sohn) gone from the cast, too, there is a sense of loss and emptiness anyway. By going down such a dramatic, depressing path, it allows the show to match the sadness felt by fans, rather than just trying to pretend that nothing has happened and move on.

Unfortunately, the replacements for those missing characters seem a bit too contrived. I like Mark Valley (Harry’s Law, Boston Legal), but his character of Tommy Sullivan, the new police detective that works with the Medical Examiner’s office, has a past with Megan. Yes, he is more magnetic than Peter, but the two men are far too similar, making every feel like replaceable archetypes. Why must TV shows force past connections? Why not allow new relationships to bloom on their own? Why does Tommy so neatly fill the role that Peter did? There’s both a sense of continuity, and one of overreach, right from the start of the run.

There are some things this third season of Body of Proof does correctly. It allows Megan to delve deeper into her father’s suicide, uncovering a cover up, and find closure. In fact, her story overall ends on a very hopeful note. The ensemble is still intact, with delicious friction between Megan and Kate (Jeri Ryan), and comic relief provided by Ethan (Geoffrey Arend) and Curtis (Windell Middlebrooks). Each member of the cast gets some nice bits of their own this year.

The final thirteen episodes are teeming with fantastic guest and recurring stars. Among those featured in The Complete Third Series are Henry Ian Cusick (Lost), Alan Dale (also Lost), Luke Perry, Joanna Cassidy, Richard Burgi (Desperate Housewives), Lorraine Toussaint (Saving Grace), Marissa Ramirez (Blue Bloods), Annie Wersching (24), Christopher McDonald (Harry’s Law), and Sharon Lawrence (NYPD Blue).

Of course, bringing in that kind of roster, especially while struggling to stay on the air, does seem a bit gimmicky. And the biggest issue with the show, that it concentrates too much on the case of the week, rather than the soapy drama between the characters, which is the bread and butter of most ABC series, is not overcome. But as far as procedurals go, this one is better than many.

Now that it’s canceled, Body of Proof will be missed, most especially because Dana Delany deserves to be on screen. She is a wonderful actress who can draw an audience, a fact proven in the multiple shows she has starred in. At least we have The Complete Third Season on DVD to rewatch and enjoy, as these are pretty solid installments, especially the series finale. Hopefully, she’ll be back before you know it.

This three-disc set has five bonus features, including an amusing gag reel. Other offerings include featurettes on the look of the production, the importance of props, a set tour, and the visual effects that make Los Angeles look like Philadelphia. It’s an appropriate amount of extras for the size of the release, and while none are super memorable, they do fit with what is presented.

Body of Proof The Complete Third Season is available now.

Land At China Beach

Article first published as DVD Review: China Beach: The Complete Series on Blogcritics.

There are some shows that fans wait years and years for, desperately hoping they will eventually be released on DVD so their favorite episodes can be relived, but are consistently disappointed. One such beloved, critically-acclaimed series is China Beach, the four-season Vietnam War drama that broke new ground by approaching the conflict from a perspective other than male-domination, and is one of the most-requested shows. Finally, China Beach arrives, the complete series being released by Time Life.

China Beach is set at an Evacuation Hospital in Vietnam, and follows the adventures of the women serving our armed forces, as well as those on the civilian side of things. This isn't a softer tact, per se, but it does give us something other than what we are used to seeing from a war drama, meaning feelings are allowed to be explored, as well as the mental and emotional scarring that can occur from such locals and experiences, often ignored when the focus is on violence and bloodshed.

Portraying women is not the only way that China Beach sets itself apart. It really gets into the characters' heads, even following them home from time to time. Animated sequences allow the viewers to better understand the people and what they are thinking, and real interviews with real veterans keep the show grounded in gritty reality, even as it tells a compelling fictional story. China Beach is a bit like an intentionally less-funny version of M*A*S*H, with a comparable originality and risk-taking approach, but containing more depth.

The heroine of the piece is First Lieutenant Colleen McMurphy (Dana Delany, Body of Proof), who not only stands strong, but also faces her own limitations and emotional wounds. She's a very striking woman, hailing from Kansas, who puts others first. Delany brilliantly and boldly tackles the role with gusto and talent, winning two well-deserved Emmys during the series' run.

Among the familiar faces co-starring are: Michael Boatman (Spin City) as Samuel Beckett, an unpopular Graves Registration man; Marg Helgenberger (CSI) as K.C., the fortune-hungry prostitute; Robert Picardo (Star Trek: Voyager) as Dr. Dick Richard, surgeon, womanizer, and occasional purveyor of wisdom; Concetta Tomei (Providence) as Major Lila Garreau, the commanding officer; Jeff Kober (Sons of Anarchy) as Dodger, the quiet warrior of the jungle; Brian Wimmer (Flipper) as Boonie the lifeguard; and Troy Evans (ER) as Bob Pepper, motor pool manager, among others.

Many of these names will sound familiar, and if not, then their faces will likely be recognizable. These are performers who are mostly at the beginning of their careers in China Beach but have continued to thrive in the industry. What this means is that the show is stocked with a solid cast that is excellent at making you care for their complex characters and root for their survival.

Not everyone stays around for the duration of the show, despite its short run, and cast members enter and exit with some frequency, in both guest parts and recurring capacities. However, that only adds to the realism of the series, as in a war-time environment, this is a part of life.

All sixty-two episodes are included on this twenty-one disc set. Relive the helicopter crash, suicide bomber, romance, drug abuse, prom night, leopard cub, race relations, kidnapping, parasite, betrayal, reporters, rogue Santa, a mixed-race baby, pirate radio, deaths, stand-up comedy, PTSD, a trip to the Vietnam Wall, and so much more. For those who already love the show, it's a pleasurable stroll down memory lane, and a chance to possibly fill in some gaps, since it aired in the days before DVR. For new fans, such as myself, it's a wonderful complete saga primed to dive into and fall in love with.

One of the hallmarks of China Beach is its fantastic music, pivotal to the way the stories are told. It is because of the problems in securing home video release rights of all of these songs that China Beach has proven so difficult to get released on DVD before now. However, the press materials report 268 songs have been cleared, an average of more than 4 per episode, so the soundtrack will be mostly intact in this release.

Not only that, but Time Life has given us a wealth of extras to complement the run, around ten hours in all. There are featurettes, interviews, deleted scenes, commentaries for the premiere and finale, and a gag reel, all spread across the four seasons, each packaged separately within the larger set. There are also two discs dedicated solely to bonus features, with a focus on last December's 25th Anniversary reunion of the cast.

It's great to see what the performers thought of the show, and their experiences filming it, all of these years later. Most of the principal players participate, including those who currently have busy careers. There should be plenty here to satisfy any fan.

The packaging itself is pretty cool, too. While the DVD cases are basic, they are housed in a beautiful wrap-around box, with magnetic closure. There's a thirty-six page booklet with notes and images from the show, and you even get a pair of China Beach dog tags. Not shabby at all!

A Limited Edition version is available with signed scripts and cast photos. This is not the edition I got, so I cannot speak to the value of the extra materials, but they look cool in the picture posted online!

If there's one complaint I have it's that there doesn't seem to be much effort put into restoring picture or audio quality. China Beach hails from before the days of high definition, but it isn't that old, and other aged series have been restored before release. This one has not been, or not much anyway, and the presentation is not nearly as good as it should be, though it's not the worst I've ever seen, either.

Overall, despite the visual problems, I find it easy to recommend this set. There's a lot here, both in terms of story-telling and performance, as well as bonus features. It's a compelling, dramatic series that will make you cry and think. I wish it had run longer, but I'm grateful there are as many installments as there are.

China Beach: The Complete Series is available now, exclusively online.

Dig up Body of Proof The Complete Second Season

ABC is not usually beholden to the procedural formula, preferring to specialize in soapy drama instead. However, there are exceptions. One such example is Body of Proof, a crime-of-the-week show following a medical examiner and her team. Body of Proof The Complete Second Season has recently been released on DVD.

The main issue I take with Body of Proof is that it is rote. Week after week, Dr. Megan Hunt (Dana Delany) and her co-workers manage to figure things out before the cops (John Carroll Lynch and Sonja Sohn) do. The whodunnit may not always be predictable, but it is nearly certain that Megan will finger the killer by the end, thus maintaining her glowing reputation.

The thing is, Megan isn't even the boss. She is a former surgeon who now works on the dead instead of the living. She must take orders from her ex-husband's girlfriend, Dr. Kate Murphy (Jeri Ryan). It's not an ideal situation.

Which is why Body of Proof manages to stay entertaining. Like it's network sibling, Castle, too much time is devoted to the crime, but when the series dares to stray into the personal interactions of the team, it becomes quite entertaining. Body of Proof has a fantastic cast that is often wasted. When they are used, they really shine, with terrific chemistry, witty one-liners, and shifting relationships. This focus on the personal is slightly amped up in season two by the promotion of Megan's daughter, Lacey (Mary Mouser) to series regular, and the scenes between Megan and Kate remain the best part of the show.

After a short first season, year two basically keeps the same set of circumstances, though a few things are allowed to evolve over the course of the sophomore run. Some memorable installments:

• "Love Thy Neighbor": The cul de sac central to this episode is a play off of Delany's former series, Desperate Housewives, making for some fun tongue-in-cheek moments. Kate tries to not-obviously bribe Megan.
• "Hunting Party": Kate fires Megan from a case at the request of a wealthy guy who is not afraid to throw his money around, but Megan still manages to save the day.
• "Missing": Bud (Lynch) is under investigation after an interrogation gone wrong, and Megan's mother (Joanna Cassidy) offers to help her daughter, though her motives remain murky.
• "Point of Origin": Megan clashes with firefighters.
• "Hard Knocks": Megan's ex (Jeffrey Nordling) decides to move away, making Lacey choose between her parents. Bud tells everyone that his wife is expecting.
• "Home Invasion": Curtis (Windell Middlebrooks) gets Kate's job, leading to lots of tension in the office.
• "Going Viral": In this two parter, a deadly virus is plaguing the city, and it's up to Megan and company to stop the body count on it's sharp rise.
• "Mind Games": A serial killer from Megan's past returns, posing a serious danger that results in the death of one of the team.

There are also 12 other episodes on the four-disc set, so plenty to keep you busy for awhile!

One thing ABC does do right is bonus features. There are quite a few on these DVDs, including a goof reel and some webisodes. Featurettes examine the set design, how the crew makes the dead bodies so realistic, various stunts in the series, and special effects. There's also a fashion bit, if you're into that sort of thing, and many Delany fans probably are, given her good looks and sense of style, both in this role and in others from her earlier career.

All in all, it's a decent series with some really interesting characters, and slightly better than average procedural cases. Were the focus to be even more about the people, it could be something really special. As it is, it's still worth a watch if you like a crime mystery.

Body of Proof The Complete Second Season is available now on DVD.

If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! Check out my website, JeromeWetzel.com! Article first published as DVD Review: Body of Proof The Complete Second Season on Blogcritics.

Desperate Housewives desperate no more

As ABC's Desperate Housewives begins its two hour finale last night, there is still a lot going on. Bree (Marcia Cross) is standing trial for murder. Renee (Vanessa Williams) is days away from her wedding. Susan (Teri Hatcher) has to break some big news to her dearest friends. Lynette (Felicity Huffman) is facing a finalized divorce. Gabi's (Eva Longoria) marriage comes under new strain. Karen (Kathryn Joosten) is staring death in the face. And Katherine (Dana Delany) returns, stirring up trouble.

That's a lot to cover in two hours, and yet, Desperate Housewives makes it look effortless. Sweeping through plots without rushing them, building suspense, but not into anything too over the top, the final two hours hit every emotional note they need to hit, leaving viewers with specific impressions about where their favorite characters will be. The show knocks out the tears in the final moments, leaving a refreshing feeling of completeness.

At first glance, the ending is sad. Bree, Lynette, Gabi, and Susan have been through a lot together, and they reflect on this as they play their final hand of cards. They will not grow old together on Wisteria Lane, sharing more memories and moments, even though they were extremely important in each others' lives for so long.

But leaving Wisteria is for the best. The lane is full of gossip and murder, rumors and betrayal. For each of the four main players to live happily ever after, they must escape this cycle. And they all do. Perhaps they need each other to overcome their challenges, but not to sail off into the sunset. By moving away, they prove they are desperate no more, and finally find peace in their lives and marriages.

The beginning of the two hour finale starts with Karen. Her neighbors prove just how much they care about her by allowing her to spend her final days in her own house, with Roy (Orson Bean) by her side. As an ultimate thank you, Karen takes the rap for the murder, allowing Bree and the others to go free. With her failing health, Karen isn't charged with her own trial, and gets to slip peacefully off into the night, a beloved record playing her out. It's sweet and sad, but also celebratory of a life well lived, full of love.

This theme continues with the others. Renee is married to Ben (Charles Mesure), who proves to be an honorable man who will treat her well. While it might have been nice to have seen Renee's future, it isn't strictly necessary because of where she ends things. Besides, she is never as deep into the mire as the rest, anyway.

Bree finds romance once more with Trip (Scott Bakula). They move to Louisville, where Bree is finally surrounded by other ladies like her, and she rules them all. This is a fitting ending for Bree, who deserves a fresh start. What's more, in Trip, Bree may finally have found the perfect man, one who will treat her how she wants to be treated, and be her equal. It comes late in the game, but late is better than never.

Gabi supports her family with a successful business venture, side by side with Carlos (Ricardo Antonio Chavira), bickering all the while. Carlos's comment at Renee's wedding, that they dance a tango instead of a waltz, is fitting. There is a nice throw back to their very first story, involving a gardener, which really highlights where they've been, and what they are now. These two have been through so much together, and have shown the most growth of anyone in Desperate Housewives. They are richly rewarded for this.

Lynette and Tom (Doug Savant) reconnect. How can they not? They belong together. Katherine's last minute offer throws a monkey wrench into their union, but after what they've been through in the past year, anything else is an easy hurdle. What they both realize, with jobs and children stripped away, is that they mean more to each other than anything else. And so they move to New York City, Lynette as a CEO, finally succeeding as more than a wife and mother, and live in a penthouse apartment. Fitting.

Susan gets the least reveal of anyone, but then, her story is the furthest from being over. As Julie (Andrea Bowen) goes into labor on the way to Renee's wedding, Susan once more has to deal with a slapstick emergency, a theme in her life. Unlike the others, Susan's existence will never be calm. But moving in with her daughter, helping to raise her grandchildren, she will find what she is looking for. There may be a number of other challenges, but this cannot be told in a scant few moments, so we're left with the impression that Susan is beginning a new journey instead. She still has a long road ahead, but at least she's on the right path.

These women deserve to be happy. That cannot be said at the beginning of Desperate Housewives. Their trials and tribulations make them work for the joyous ending. But they do so, and they come out stronger because of it. The series is the story of this battle, and how they help each other through it. Now it's time to enjoy the spoils of their rewards, which would make boring television, so it's nice that they end where they do.

The final shot of Susan leaving the street, driving past the ghosts of Wisteria Lane, is powerful. Sans Edie Britt (Nicolette Sheridan), who recently engaged in an ugly court battle with creator Mark Cherry, just about every notable character killed off returns, dressed in white. There's Karl (Richard Burgi) and Rex (Steven Culp) and Chuck (Jonathan Cake) and George (Robert Bart), and even people who aren't Bree's exes, too! Beth (Emily Bergl), Martha Huber (Christine Estabrook), and many more return. And of course, Karen, Mike (James Denton) and Mary Alice (Brenda Strong) are there. It's not everyone, but it's a lot. It's hard to imagine a more perfect tribute, and it certainly will be an image that sticks with one through the years. Awesome.

Thank you to the cast and crew of Desperate Housewives for eight mostly wonderful years. While it was time to end it, you did so well, and you will be missed!

If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! To buy Desperate Housewives DVDs or streaming episodes, please click here. This article was first posted as Desperate Housewives desperate no more on TheTVKing.com

Does Body of Proof "Love Thy Neighbor" ?

     For the second season premiere of ABC's Body of Proof, "Love Thy Neighbor," the team investigates a case in a neighborhood that purposely will remind fans of Dana Delany's previous series, Desperate Housewives. In an idyllic cul-de-sac, a man is murdered, and the body is made to look like an accident. But a little digging, and the team discovers an extensive circle of swinging, and eventually, the real cause of the murder, a meth lab. Throughout the case, Megan (Delany) proves she still has her wits, even while increasingly bothered by the relationship between ex-husband, Todd (Jeffrey Nordling), and her boss, Kate (Jeri Ryan). Specifically, how they might mess up Megan's still-in-repair relationship with her daughter, Lacey (Mary Mouser).

     The setting is a fantastic homage, and even Megan's toss off about "desperate housewives" at the end of the episode doesn't seem too corny. The whole thing is done with affection, rather than parody. The characters making up the neighborhood get filled by some fantastic guest stars, including Joelle Carter (Justified), Derek Phillips (Friday Night Lights), Rick Fox (Dirt, Oz), Christopher Wiehl, (Jericho), and Danielle Bisutti (True Jackson, VP). The cops find evidence of kinky sexcapades and false real estate schemes, with juicy twists and delicious surprises. As a case of the week, this one is pretty darn good.

     Thankfully, much of "Love Thy Neighbor" focuses on Megan's personal life, rather than just the case of the week. ABC. is generally pretty good about keeping the characters interesting in their procedurals, and Body of Proof looks to continue that trend. Megan now seems far closer to Lacey than when season one ends, and she is desperate to keep that mother-daughter thing from deteriorating, a perfectly understandable reaction. It's hard to tell how much of Megan's distress over the situation comes from worrying over Lacey, and how much is jealousy concerning Todd, but the former seems to be winning. Nice job keeping that at the forefront, while still going about this week's business.

     Other characters besides Megan are showing some growth and depth, too. Is Kate just acquiring a fancy, expensive new piece of machinery so that her staff doesn't hate her for what she is doing to Megan? Bribery is not necessary, as Kate is staying as classy as possible under the circumstances. Ethan (Geoffrey Arend) and Curtis (Windell D. Middlebrooks) continue to bicker, but help each other.

     Bud (John Carroll Lynch) gets to complain to Sam (Sonja Sohn) about his sex life. This opens up something that is perhaps not necessary to know about Bud. But it also humanizes him, and allows a real look at the two homicide detective's working relationship. This is welcome, and so are the scenes of the two doing their own jobs, as the pair are often only on the fringe during season one. Clearly, both actors can handle a bigger workload.

     Peter (Nicholas Bishop), so far, remains generic and boring.

     Watch Body of Proof Tuesdays at 10 p.m. ET on ABC.

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     To order the Body of Proof DVD or purchase streaming episodes, please click here.

Body of Proof: The Complete First Season on DVD next Tuesday

     After stints on ABC's Desperate Housewives and Castle, Dana Delaney finally gets her own series on the network with Body of Proof, which premiered last spring, and comes to DVD next Tuesday, September 20th. Delaney plays Dr. Megan Hunt, a medical examiner who used to be a neurosurgeon, until she is in a car wreck, and can no longer live with the guilt of killing anyone. Plus, her hand goes numb.


     Now Hunt cares, something she didn't use to do, so she goes out of her way and solves the crimes that result in the victims she examines. She is very intelligent, doesn't have much respect for authority or rules, but gets away with it because she helps bring justice to the world. She is sort of a cross between House's House, Castle's Castle, and Bones's Brennan, three of the best offerings in the crime procedural genre, but Hunt doesn't quite live up to the standards of any of the trio.

     Make no mistake about it. Body of Proof does fit firmly into that crime procedural genre. Does Megan step outside the purview of her occupation, as she is only a medical examiner? Possibly, but I don't hear Detectives Bud Morris (John Carroll Lynch, The Drew Carey Show, Close to Home) and Samantha Baker (Sonja Sohn, The Wire) complaining when she helps them catch yet another killer. If you have a genius, use her. And make no mistake about it, Megan is a genius.

     Which is why her boss, Dr. Kate Murphy (Jeri Ryan, Star Trek: Voyager, Shark), lets Hunt get away with spending a huge portion of the department's budget, despite the fact that she has many co-workers to share the money with.

     There's her partner, Peter (Nicholas Bishop, Past Life, Home and Away), who is generic and dull. Seriously, if Peter were to be replaced in season two with a similar looking guy, few would notice. Curtis (Windell D. Middlebrooks, The Suite Life on Deck, Scrubs) is often grumpy, but helpful, and has a contagious excitement when cases get interesting. Ethan (Geoffrey Arend, Trust Me, Daria) is an eager to please, still learning, underling, who frequently gets saddled with the crappy jobs. Considering that Curtis ranks above Megan, it may seem odd that he often ends up helping Ethan with said disgusting chores, but perhaps realizing Megan's genius, Curtis only good-naturedly complains. None of these supporting players get much development in the freshman run, though the latter two show promise.

     Finally, there's Megan's family. Her teenage daughter, Lacey (Mary Matilyn Mouser, Life Is Wild), whom she drives away during her surgeon days, is someone Hunt wants back in her life. Now that she seems to value more than her career, to which she still devotes most of her focus, she is trying to repair things with Lacey. Ex-husband, Todd (Jeffrey Nordling, Desperate Housewives, 24, Dirt), is another story, especially when, in the season finale, it is revealed that he is secretly involved with Kate. It's just unnecessary melodrama, especially because Kate and Megan's interactions are the best part of the series, and this revelation threatens that relationship.

     In summary, Body of Proof does little to raise itself above its peers, of which there are many currently on television, and quite a few of them much better. With this talented cast, there is a chance that that might change in season two. After all, with only nine episodes in the initial run, the series is just finding its legs. Now it's time to steer the show more character focused, and less about the case-of-the-week, if it wants to remain interesting.

     The bonus features are, sadly, about as dry as the nine episodes in the DVD set. "Examining the Proof" spends ten and a half minutes assuring viewers that the science and medical details are real. It is commendable that the staff behind the series puts so much effort into authenticity, using consultants with wounds and terminology and even the set. But we get it already. Having the entire cast and a number of others keep telling us that is not needed.

     "If Looks Could Kill" is a five and a half minute feature focusing on Roberta Haze's costume design. Clearly, she is a legend in her arena. Her detailed explanation of how she differs Megan and Kate's looks is interesting. But again, if one is not into clothes and fashion, this feature isn't all that beneficial, and is worth skipping.

     "Body of Goofs" is the mandatory (for ABC shows) blooper reel. Clocking in at over three and a half minutes, there is everything one would expect in such an extra. There are plenty of flubbed up jargon, and cast members screwing up lines. John Carroll Lynch, who opens the bit with an interview from his "dressing room pool" stands out as the most amusing part of the segment. But again, disappointing.

     Finally, "New Evidence: A Sneak Peek at Season 2" is simply a forty-five second commercial for the new season. Which begs the question, why word it so promisingly if it's just a commercial? Viewers can see the same thing, or practically the same thing, on other venues. While not promoted as a bonus feature on the packaging, the title given the segment leads to a huge letdown when it is actually watched.

     It's hard to recommend Body of Proof: The Complete First Season on the aforementioned merits. It isn't terrible, but it isn't great. It falls somewhere in the middle of quality television. What will make the biggest turning point in deciding on whether or not to purchase a copy is how season two plays out. Until a few episodes get to air, I find myself ambivalent.


     You can buy Body of Proof: The Complete First Season on DVD next Tuesday, September 20th, and watch new episodes Tuesday nights at 10 p.m. ET on ABC, beginning the same day.

     If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! Click here for all my Body of Proof reviews.

     To pre-order the Body of Proof DVD or Blu-ray, or purchase streaming episodes, please click here.

Article first published as DVD Review: Body of Proof: The Complete First Season on Blogcritics.

Body of Proof Season One Overview

     ABC premiered a new medical drama, Body of Proof, in late March. After reviewing the pilot, it seemed to be a standard medical/crime procedural, so I allowed it to languish on my TiVo for months. Truthfully, I was just hoping it would be canceled, and I wouldn't have to watch it at all. There are a few interesting procedurals, including Bones and Castle, but most are boring and rote. But then Body of Proof got a second season, and I decided to give it a shot. Having watched the entire nine-episode run these past few days, most of my initial opinions hold firm. It is definitely a standard procedural, and far from the best on TV, but there are a few hints of something decent, so I will at least be watching the season premiere next fall.

     The best thing Body of Proof has going for it is that it stars Dana Delany (Desperate Housewives) as the central character, Dr. Megan Hunt. Delany excels on Desperate Housewives, and continues to stretch her range on Body of Proof. She now plays a surgeon who, after an accident, been forced to switch careers, becoming a medical examiner. Although at first she comes acros as cold, Delany brings an earnestness and compassion to the role. It takes but a few hours for her to start to see the bodies as people, and really care about what happens to them.

     Delany's plot is furthered by the fact that she has an ex-husband, Todd (Jeffrey Nordling, Desperate Housewives, 24, Dirt), and a teenage daughter, Lacey (Mary Matilyn Mouser, Life Is Wild), whom she drove away during her surgeon days. Now that she seems to value more than her career, to which she still devotes most of her focus, she is trying to repair things with Lacey. While Mouser isn't the best actress, the strongest episode of season one, "Talking Heads," is one in which Megan gets very involved in Lacey's life, and Lacey reciprocates.

     Todd, on the other hand, remains an obstacle for Megan. While it may be understandable, given their history, that he harbors bitter feelings towards his ex, he does not think of her when acting, and barely considers her in regards to Lacey. In the season finale, "Broken Home," Megan learns that Todd and her boss, Kate (Jeri Ryan, Star Trek: Voyager, Shark) are in a secret relationship, damaging Megan's relationship with both of them. Todd doesn't seem to care about Megan's feelings of betrayal, and insits that he has done nothing wrong. He may be technically right, but his reaction is not.

     Megan and Kate may or may not be okay when the season ends. A true pleasure of season one is any scene with Delany and Ryan together, both being fantastic veteran actresses. Ryan's role is too small, and for that reason alone, it is forgivable that she gets involved with Todd, which gives her more screen time. Kate's place as Megan's boss, who Megan infrequently listens to, but both seem to have some personal mutual respect, is a delight, and the two have wonderful chemistry. The Todd subplot should be gotten rid of, but any time Kate wants to get more involved in a case, it's welcome.

     Also fun are Megan's co-workers in the lab. Curtis (Windell D. Middlebrooks, The Suite Life on Deck, Scrubs) is grumpy, but helpful, and has an excitement when cases get interesting. Ethan (Geoffrey Arend, Trust Me, Daria) is an eager to please, still learning, underling, who frequently gets saddled with the crappy jobs. Considering that Curtis ranks above Megan, it may seem odd that he often ends up helping Ethan with said disgusting chores, but perhaps realizing Megan's genius, Curtis only good-naturedly complains. Neither get much development thus far, except for Ethan's love story with a beautiful woman (his real life wife, Mad Men's Christina Hendricks) in "Dead Man Walking," but hopefully that will be corrected in season two. Perhaps even a return of Hendricks?

     Sadly, Megan's partner, Peter (Nicholas Bishop, Past Life, Home and Away), is generic and dull. There is nothing about him that stands out or is memorable, and he could be replaced by a similar looking actor tomorrow, and few people would notice. While he does sometimes give Megan good advice and offer her a sympathetic ear, Bishop is doing not a single thing to make his character stand out or interesting. If Peter is going to stick around, or god forbid, be a love interest for Megan, major changes are needed.

     The final main characters, Detectives Bud Morris (John Carroll Lynch, Close to Home, The Drew Carey Show) and Samantha Baker (Sonja Sohn, The Wire), are a mixed bag. While Baker gets some character development while investigating the death of a friend in "Buried Secrets," and Morris is shown bonding with Megan in "Helping Hand," one episode is all either get to do anything other than typical police work. Both seem to be very capable actors, but both also take episodes off, and the plot changes little with only one at a time working. It's a shame, because Morris and Baker are probably the biggest untapped potential of the series. Often on screen separately, as they don't work in the lab, they get cheated more than the others.

     So the main problem with Body of Proof seems to be that some of the supporting characters need to be beefed up. While Delany is fantastic, Body of Proof would be more interesting if it was more ensemble-focused, rather than banking on just one star. It has a deep enough talent pool to do so. Season one is not bad, but it could be better.

     Body of Proof will return this fall to ABC.


     If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! Click here for all of my Current Season Reviews.

     To pre-order the Body of Proof DVD or Blu-ray, or purchase streaming episodes, please click here.

Article first published as TV Review: Body of Proof - Season One Overview on Blogcritics.

JWTV Quickie: Body of Proof - "Pilot"

     When we last saw Dana Delany, she was leaving Desperate Housewives' Wisteria Lane with a female lover, not long after she matched wits with Castle on Castle. I guess it should be no surprise, then, that the star is popping back up on ABC. This time, in Body of Proof, Delany plays Dr. Megan Hunt, a medical examiner who used to be a neurosurgeon, until she was in a car wreck, and could no longer live with the guilt of killing anyone. Plus, her hand goes numb. Now Hunt cares, something she didn't use to do, so she goes out of her way and solves the crimes that result in the victims she examines.

     Does Megan step outside the purview of her occupation? Possibly, but I don't hear Detective Bud Morris (John Carroll Lynch, The Drew Carey Show, Close to Home), whom clashes with Hunt throughout the case, complain when she helps him catch the killer. If you have a genius, use her. And make no mistake about it, Megan is a genius. Which is why her boss, Dr. Kate Murphy (Jeri Ryan, Star Trek: Voyager, Shark), lets her get away with spending a huge portion of the department's budget. Also, I'm guessing, why Bud will be using her again and again, since he's listed as a main character.

     Now I could tell you the basic story of Body of Proof's "Pilot", but if you've watched one of the gazillions of other crime-related procedurals currently running, you pretty much know how it goes down. Megan is a mix of House's House, Castle's Castle, and Bones's Brennan, three of the best offerings in the genre. She is very intelligent, doesn't have much respect for authority or rules, but gets away with it because she helps bring justice to the world. If this show succeeds, and the high ratings it racked up during last night's premiere are a good first step, it should not be because it masters a formula. We have more than enough shows that do that. I, for one, will not be watching if it relies too heavily on a case of the week format, though I'm willing to give the series a chance to prove itself before I tune out.

     No, what I want to see, and what I hope the writers deliver, is interesting characters. While I find Hunt's co-worker, Peter Dunlap (Nicholas Bishop, Home and Away) dull, and am not impressed with Bud's partner, Det. Sam Baker (Sonja Sohn, The Wire), I like Bud, Kate, and geeky mentee Ethan (Geoffrey Arend, Trust Me) just fine. I love 'why doesn't anyone call me Doctor' Curtis Brumfield (Windell Middlebrooks, Scrubs) even more, especially when he's ranting how Hunt shouldn't get the special priveleges that she does. Delany is fantastic as Hunt, bringing just the right amount of depth and layer. My heart breaks when she admits to losing her daughter for her career, and then losing her career. The only inauthentic moment of the entire hour is when, as shown in the preview, Hunt mouths off to Bud about being worse than he's heard.

     But my main concern, starting out, is I need to see plenty of Hunt's family. Todd (Jeffrey Nordling, 24, Dirt, Desperate Housewives) is a scheming jerk, keeping Hunt away from their daughter, telling Hunt not to even come to a birthday party. Or maybe he's not. Let's see more of their backstory! Maybe, considering Hunt's referenced past, he is justified in trying to keep sole custody, at least in regard to the old Hunt. Now Hunt wants to be there for Lacey (Mary Matilyn Mouser, Life is Wild), and if cake is any evidence, it's not too late. If the series can give enough time to personal details, it will be great.

     A special episode of Body of Proof will air this Sunday, and then the series returns to its normal time slot Tuesday nights at 10 p.m. ET on ABC.

For frequent mini-reviews and occasional TV news, follow Jerome on Twitter.

Click here for an alphabetical list of all of Jerome's Current Season Reviews.

Desperate Housewives's mystery a little anti-climatic

      Last night, ABC's Desperate Housewives solved a major mystery, possibly.  Julie (Andrea Bowen) was strangled and almost died last fall, but the person who attacked her was never caught.  While most theories went towards the familiar, or the new family in town, the revelation of a strangler last night may have been the answer to the long-running mystery.  Next week's preview promises a serial killer on the lane.  But if the same guy who killed Irina (Helena Mattsson) did attack Julie, the question is, why?  There was motivation for Irina, but we haven't seen Julie talk to the boy.  Besides, I couldn't even find the actor's name that played him.  He wasn't yet added to imdb, tv.com, or other sources that I checked.  So who really cares?

     Luckily, some of the other plots are getting much more interesting.  I don't think Sam (Sam Page, Shark) is even Bree's (Marcia Cross) stepson.  His tricky ways to discredit others almost cost Bree her livelihood.  Did he do it just because he was jealous of the family he never had?  Or, like I said, is he not really related, and has other dark reasons for trying to sabotage her?

     Mike (James Denton) got himself into some big trouble, going into deep dead and having his truck repossessed.  How did that happen?  We haven't seen him do anything that cost a ton of money, but he told Carlos (Ricardo Chavira) that this had been going on for the past year.  Obviously, there is more to this subplot, and hopefully it won't be long before those answers come.

     This year's newbies on the block are close to having the lid blown off all their secrets.  Patrick (John Barrowman, Torchwood) has arrived and looks to be considering a kidnapping after deciding not to kill Angie (Drea de Matteo).  Fans of the former Sopranos star, though, don't get too relieved.  Rumor on the net is that she will bite the big one before the season closes.  It's too bad.  With the probable eminent departure of Katherine (Dana Delany), Angie would be poised to actually stick.  Seems the block just can't bring itself to permanently add a fifth desperate housewife to it's clique.

     Saddest of all may be the breakup of the gay couple, Bob (Tuc Watkins, One Life to Live) and Lee (Kevin Rahm, Judging Amy).  It was great to see the pair get more screen time and development this season.  I hope Lee comes back to Bob soon, and isn't gone from the show for good.  I was also not pleased with talk of them moving away.  That may still happen.

     Of course, all the plot twists can be witnessed by tuning in to Desperate Housewives Sunday nights at 9pm on ABC.

Dana Delany takes a page from Castle

     Desperate Housewives star Dana Delany spent a couple of weeks off of Wisteria Lane recently co-starring in an exciting two part episode of Castle.  As a rule, I don't watch procedurals, so despite my great respect for Nathan Fillion, dating back to his days on Two Guys, a Girl, and a Pizza Place, and through Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Firefly, Serenity, and Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along-Blog, I have not seen that show since the pilot.  What I hadn't realized was that it had really built up a splendid ensemble cast, and by the end of the two hours, I had added a season pass to my TiVo.

     Delany was wonderful, as expected.  If her taking the role seems odd to you, as she is already a series regular, perhaps it was to draw some of Housewives's audience over to Castle, or build her name recognition before her new pilot premieres.  Whatever the reason, it was nice to see her reunited with her Housewives husband, who is the title character on Castle.  She really showed a different side of her, and she brilliantly portrayed the tough FBI agent.

     Aside from Delany, Stana Katic really proved herself as Beckett, Castle's partner who was being hunted down by a serial killer.  The episodes also featured Leonard Roberts (Heroes) as Delany's partner.  It was a gripping story, spurred by a book written by Castle which was being made into a movie, and the lead character was based on Beckett.  I think the literary aspect, as well as Fillion's humor, is what sets this aside from other legal or crime dramas on television.  These two episodes involved a very devious, very intelligent serial killer, who was every bit a match for our heroes.

     Next week, Castle and Beckett will try to figure out who would drop a gargoyle on a historian.  Fun!  Tune in Monday nights at 10pm on ABC.

Actors joining Burn Notice, leaving Desperate Housewives

   USA is not known for adding characters to its shows.  Sure, Natalie (Traylor Howard) joined the cast of Monk to replace Sharona (Bitty Schram), and there was Anne Dudek (House) playing a police detective that was not Juliet (Maggie Lawson) in the pilot of Psych, but generally, USA dramas keep the same cast year after year.  That's about to change as the four actor ensemble in Burn Notice adds a fifth next season.
     The new series regular is Jesse Garcia, played by Coby Bell (The Game, Third Watch).  Word is, the new guy in town will have many of the same talents as Michael Weston (Jeffrey Donovan), including playing different characters, smooth talking, and reading people.  Basically, spy stuff.  So will he just hang around for one season, or will he stick?  Only time will tell.  Just please, please don't mess up the balance that has been perfected among the regular cast.
     Over on Wisteria Lane, though new characters will surely be announced, it's the women leaving that are getting the attention.  It took several tries to get a fifth housewife that could hold her own and click with the other four, but after recent plots, it appear Katherine (Dana Delany) has fallen out of favor.  Just her character, not the actress.  ABC has a pilot called Body of Evidence that they'd like her to star in, and she has accepted.  Delany hopes to still pop up on Desperate Housewives occasionally, if her series is picked up.  If not, she may stick around.  Or if it is picked up and quickly canceled, she may come back.  Creator Marc Cherry has vowed not to kill her off, and is happy to leave the door open for her return.  Katherine's new lover, Robin (Julie Benz, Angel, Dexter) also has an ABC pilot, No Ordinary Family, so perhaps the two could leave and live happily ever after together?
      Burn Notice has just completed it's third season, but will return to USA soon.  Desperate Housewives can be found on ABC Sundays at 9pm.

Housewives leaves on another cliffhanger

     ABC's Desperate Housewives bowed out for the calendar year last night with a 'big event'.  Though reports of a place crash were prevalent on the internet ahead of time, it was not a large liner (as indicated by an early false rumor that it might be an Oceanic Airlines plane that came down) that landed in the street, but a small two-seater.  This must be the most unlucky block in the country, already hit by a tornado, multiple murders, suicide, hit and runs, etc.  Predictably, it took out the woman about to cause huge issues for one of the housewives, newcomer Angie (Joey's Drea de Matteo).  It also killed at least one other in the Santa house, but of course, Mark Cherry will leave us hanging until January to find out who.  It is unlikely that Bree (Marcia Cross) died, but Orson (Kyle MacLachlan, Sex and the City), or more likely, Karl (Richard Burgi), has also bitten the dust.  After the tornado cliffhanger, its more frustrating than exciting waiting to find out for sure.

     This season has only been all right so far.  On the good side, the fued between the Scavos (Felicity Huffman and Doug Savant) and the Soliss (Eva Longoria Parker and Ricardo Chavira) has been handled in such a way where no one is demonized, but you can still see how they would have had such a falling out.  The suspense has been built, with both sides acting in reasonable manners, but still managing to make things worse.  Surely, this fight will be over post-crash, especially since Lynette (Huffman) saved the Solis daughter as the plane came down.  Also, the addition of the new neighbors (de Matteo and Jeffrey Nordling) has been interesting and mysterious.  The couple is likable, and hopefully whatever their issues are, they will be able to work them out and stay on the block.  Plus, Karen (Kathryn Joosten, The West Wing) is appearing more than ever, and even has a love interest!

     On the other hand, the return full time of Julie (Andrea Bowen) has been less than satisfactory.  The wise teenager who parented her mother has turned into a whiny adulterer.  The delightfully complex Andrew (Shawn Pyfrom) is gone with almost no explanation.  And Katherine (Dana Delany), the first new housewife that could have rivaled the originals, has sunk into a dark, sad, depression-fueled mental condition.  It's sad, really.  So much wasted potential in that character.  There have also been mini-episodes during the commercials, but they have been completely uninteresting.

     Will the show pick back up in January?  It looks like many of the plots of this year are resolved or close to it, but there is plenty more to come.  Given the ratings and long term contracts, it looks like Wisteria Lane has plenty more chances to get things right, as they have done more often than not in the past.