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.

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Past Life already past its shelf life

     Fox added a new show to their lineup last night called Past Life.  Taking Fringe's normal Thursday 9pm time slot for now, aside from last night's 'special preview episode', it is clear that the network is hoping to cash in on viewers already accepting of the strange and supernatural.  That idea would be sound, if this show were any good at all.

     Following a long-used formula, two partners attempt to solve crimes.  The believer is Dr. Kate McGinn (Kelli Giddish, All My Children), who has recently hired ex-police detective Price Whatley (Nicholas Bishop, Home and Away) to assist her.  Of course, Price is skeptical, but Kate says that is fine, as long as he uses his skills.  By the end of the preview episode, he is starting to believe.  A lot too quickly.  Combine that with his natural superstitiousness, and none of it even feels genuine.  Both characters are flat, predictable, and too ill defined, as well as poorly acted.  Their chemistry is not great, even though surely that is what is supposed to hook viewers enough to tune in week after week.

     They are joined on the team by Dr. Malachi Talmadge (Richard Schiff, The West Wing) and Dr. Rishi Karna (Ravi Patel, Easy Money), the grumpy boss and the token Indian, respectively.  And who came up with the character names on this series?  Anyway, considering the premise, that they are investigating people who remember past lives, and were victims of an unsolved crime in said past life, you'd imagine the client list is small, no?  Yet, they can budget four professionals, three of them with doctorates, in an office?  I don't believe it.  I have a hard time believing they can find a dozen or two clients a year in the entire country, let alone this.

     The script was weak, the acting hokey.  Schiff can act, but he's wasted here.  I recommend not tuning in.  However, if you are so inclined, it will be airing on Fox Thursdays at 9pm.