Ready for DIVORCE

Article first published as DIVORCE Review on Seat42F.

DIVORCE is coming to HBO. This dark ‘comedy’ created by Sharon Horgan (Catastrophe) is about a long-married couple with a pair of kids who realize that their relationship just isn’t working any more. As they try to disentangle themselves, they find no shortage of complications and complicated feelings, the idea of dissolution a lot prettier than the reality of it. But, presumably, they’ll have plenty of time to figure it out, assuming the show runs for a few seasons.

At the center of DIVORCE is our couple, Frances (Sarah Jessica Parker, Sex and the City) and Robert (Thomas Haden Church, Wings). They aren’t as screwed up as their friends, the violent Diane (Molly Shannon, Saturday Night Live), her cruel spouse Nick (Tracy Letts, Homeland), or the sad single Dallas (Talia Balsam, Mad Men). But they are dissatisfied enough to engage in infidelity and lack of communication, which culminates in the pilot in a decision to go their separate ways. If only it were that easy or quick, the choice one they will have to make repeatedly before they can fully get out.

One may be forgiven for thinking that Sarah Jessica Parker’s return to HBO is simply a portrayal of the next evolution of her Sex and the City character. After all, Carrie Bradshaw was neurotic and annoying, never sure what she wanted, and self-sabotaging. That SJP made the character likeable anyway is a testament to the fully fleshed out being that she created, because on paper it’s hard to sympathize with Carrie, and it’s very possible Carrie and her end-game beau, John, a.k.a. Mr. Big, headed down a similar path as Frances and Robert sometime in their future.

Yet, DIVORCE isn’t a treated as a continuation. Part of that is the much more melancholy friends surrounding Frances, and part of it is the utter lack of cheeriness that pervades the series. At Carrie’s lowest, one knew she would pick herself back up. Frances doesn’t have the same guaranteed rebound, definitely in a tailspin that will take awhile to work itself out, if it ever does. There’s no happy ending or even happy middle on the horizon in this show.

To some, that might be a turn off, and I’d understand that. But HBO viewers are probably, on the whole, a little more discerning, in search of the higher quality programming that makes them think and feel and surprises them, not just a joyous formula. So I think it has a shot at finding its audience.

DIVORCE is good. Not surprisingly so, just as good as expected. It gives a realistic portrayal of something society usually shies away from delving too deeply into. It does so by painting a portrait of a couple that is at once both authentic and dramatic. Neither of the duo are one thing, building years of unseen backstory and emotional history into every conversation, every word chosen. There is a bond here that is formed in a thousand ways over the years, and each of them show in every line of dialogue.

I think Frances sees herself as both a very average, normal person who anyone could understand, and as a victim of a situation she isn’t completely sure what she wants to do with. It’s egotistical, but not any more so than most people, and the contradictions are of the most natural variety. SJP isn’t one of my favorite actresses, but she can do amazing things with the right parts, and this is one of them for her.

At the same time, THC perfectly balances her and brings so much more to the table with Robert than a blank slate for Frances to play off of. He is just as important, even if he’s not as in focus, and the combination is a winning one.

DIVORCE premieres October 9^th at 10/9c on HBO.

THE CARRIES DIARIES "Win Some, Lose Some"

Article first published as THE CARRIES DIARIES "Win Some, Lose Some" on TheTVKing.

The CW's The Carrie Diaries, a prequel to Sex and the City sort of based on the book of the same name, returns for a second season tonight with "Win Some, Lose Some." It's summer, and Carrie (AnnaSophia Robb) is ensconced in a fabulous New York City apartment. Too bad her ex-boyfriend, Sebastian (Austin Butler), shows up and ruins her good times. Luckily, a true, life-long friend is just around the corner for Carrie.

In the first season, the connections drawn between this new show and SATC are few and far between, which could have made it harder to gain viewers. Though most SATC fans aren't watching the CW, anyway, with the network's main demographic having been born too late to enjoy the SATC craze. Either way, season two immediately sets about to make the parallels a little more obvious, tying the two together.

For one thing, Carrie's hair is now looking more familiar. And I'm burying the lead, because Samantha Jones (Lindsey Gort, 2 Guns) is on the scene! It takes awhile in "Win Some, Lose Some" for Samantha to show up, but once she does, she clocks plenty of screen time, with the promise of more in the near future. The official website does not currently list Samantha as a main character, but Wikipedia does, so I'm not sure how much she'll be included in The Carrie Diaries from now, but probably quite a bit.

It's very hard to make a prequel series (whether or not they call it that, it is considered such) because the performances of certain characters will inevitably be compared to those that came before them. Robb is not a lot like Sarah Jessica Parker, even though her locks now match somewhat, but I think Gort hews a little closer to Kim Cattrall. The mannerisms and the voice are a little off, but with her mouth closed, Gort looks a lot like her predecessor. Now, whether matching the look is a good thing, further inviting comparisons, when the personality is off, is debatable. I'm just reporting the facts.

"Win Some, Lose Some" does not really establish the needed chemistry between Carrie and Samantha. Their bonding feels a little false, and it's puzzling why Sam, as she's presented, would tag along with the kid. Her dialogue indicates Carrie is annoying her. Samantha actually seems kind of bored and lonely, which is the only explanation that makes sense for Samantha to follow Carrie around. Not the best start to an extremely important relationship.

That aside, though, "Win Some, Lose Some" is not a bad episode. It splits off the characters in pleasing pairings, and moves the story along. Plus, it's set during the summer, which is rare for a TV show to do. I wonder if The Carrie Diaries will stay in the warmer months for awhile, given that the sequel to the book is set in the summer? Let's hope so, because it feels novel and interesting.

Maggie (Katie Findlay) and Mouse (Ellen Wong) are at odds over Maggie sleeping with Sebastian last season, and apart from Carrie, we see how these two girls work out the tension between them. With Carrie destined to move on without her high school gal pals, one hopes that they can rely on each other, long after Carrie exits the picture. The season premiere finds a lot of strife in their friendship, but perhaps they can come to some sort of understanding eventually.

Elsewhere, there's a nice little story between Dorrit (Stefania Owen) and her father (Matt Letscher). Again, Carrie clearly is not involved in their lives down the road, based on SATC, so viewers will want to know these two have each other, even when Carrie moves on in the Big Apple.

It's kind of hard to appreciate some aspects of The Carrie Diaries, knowing so many of the characters must either die or having a falling out with the main girl before the end of the show's run. Perhaps it will seek to chart a new path, one in which Carrie's friends and family from her hometown keep in touch, but if this show sticks to the established plot, Carrie will move on without them. Thus, I appreciate that Carrie is on her own in this episode, even as I hope for happy-ish tie-ups of the supporting players, sans Carrie, at the end. Or in the middle, judging by the pacing thus far.

Donna LaDonna (Chloe Bridges) is the one person I wish for most to somehow forge something lasting with Carrie. However, after she does something nice for Walt (Brendan Dooling), The Carrie Diaries can't resist souring our image of her once more.  I love this character as much as I hate her, and it will be interesting to see how Donna turns out as an adult... if we get that far.

The Carrie Diaries is somewhat stuck in honoring what came before it, but for the parts of the episode that a viewer can forget SATC and just take this show on its own, it's enjoyable. Maybe waiting a few more years before making this production would have helped with that somewhat, but since the CW did not, I do appreciate what's being done, even if it's not quite rising up to the shadow it's living in.

The Carrie Diaries premieres tonight at 8 p.m. ET on the CW.

"One More Time" to SULLIVAN & SON

Article first published as "One More Time" to SULLIVAN & SON on TheTVKing.

As I sit down to write a review of the season two premiere of TBS's Sullivan & Son, "One More Time," I looked back at my article last year about the "Pilot," and realize that I want to say practically the same things. It's a funny, charming show that is thoroughly enjoyable to watch, even if the story and premise don't hold up to scrutiny. Yes, there are plot holes, but it's silly and heart warming and that makes it worth my time. It's not stupid or groan-inducing, and that puts it head and shoulders above many other sitcoms.

At the start of "One More Time," it is not revealed how much time, if any, has passed since the season one finale. Yet, that only adds to my fascination with the series. The bar where the show takes place is timeless, with the feeling that one can walk in ten years after the first visit and nothing will have changed, including the patrons. It's sort of like Cheers, in that everyone knows everyone's names, as well as quite a bit more, and they welcome one another as a family. They just enjoy being together.

The 'B' plot of "One More Time" is a very typical Sullivan & Son story. Melanie (Valerie Azlynn) realizes that Owen (Owen Benjamin), Roy (Roy Wood Jr.), Ahmed (Ahmed Ahmed), and Hank (Brian Doyle-Murray) all lack some form of sports knowledge, and so sets about to fill in the gaps. The tutoring sessions quickly become group ones, with the format not unlike Alcoholic Anonymous, except that the flaw each has is that they aren't as knowledgeable as they pretend to be, rather than having a drinking problem.

This is absolutely hilarious because they are in a bar, and are awarded drinks for learning things. Hank's confusion that he is actually at AA for a minute is a bit odd, especially because he immediately drinks after, and we don't need hit over the head with the comparison quite so overtly. However, the chemistry of the characters and the choosing of such a standard problem for the setting make the story work, even though it's completely unrealistic that they need intervention for not knowing an obscure rule or two about a game.

 Of course, they have to make Melanie a part of the larger hole, and so her knowledge gap is about Sex and the City. Perhaps a bit cliche, to be sure, but by including her, she doesn't seem like an arrogant outsider. Had she just lorded her wisdom over the others, "One More Time" would not have been as good. By giving the guys a chance to assist her, even if they aren't all typically the type of guy who would have actually watched the girl-led show, it evens out the playing field.

The 'A' plot confused me a bit, though. It involves Susan's (Vivian Bang) husband (Community's Ken Jeong) coming to the bar, seeing how fun it is, and giving up his career to work there, too. Steve (Steve Byrne) isn't so pleased to have his brother-in-law around, especially because his parents make it clear they don't want to support Susan's family. Plus, the doc goes too far when he gets all of his co-workers drinking, too, and soon the hospital is almost completely without staff. Luckily, Steve helps them see that life balance is more important than just letting off steam, and they go back to work.

There are all kinds of problems to cite here. Susan's husband doesn't know pizza and beer are good prior to his visit? All of these doctors think they can just give up their careers and incomes? The local hospital is staffed only be a couple of dozen Koreans and three Jewish guys? It's OK for Steve to quit his job but not his brother-in-law? Not to mention, I was sure Susan was single in the first season, though I have been unable to confirm that on google.

Again, though, it's the overall tone of the series that wins out, beating its flaws. The story is amusing and it works for the environment. Jeong, whom I sometimes find over-the-top obnoxious in certain roles, stays within the boundaries Sullivan & Son is accustomed to. Steve's family interactions are a major selling point of the show, and he's a solid addition to that clan that will hopefully return again.

As such, although I wouldn't look too closely at "One More Time," I was completely entertained for the twenty-some minutes it took to view the episode. I like this cast and I like what they're doing, despite any complaints. It feels like the show is made of a bunch of buddies hanging out, and it makes you want to spend time among them. It's great escapism fluff to make you smile.

Sullivan & Son airs Thursdays at 10 p.m. ET on TBS.

Open up and read The Carrie Diaries

Grade: 81%

Everyone is at least a little bit familiar with the HBO hit Sex and the City. When the author of the book that series is based on, Candace Bushnell, decided to write a prequel, it is little surprise that the CW, known for their teen-centric dramas, would latch on. THE CARRIE DIARIES, premiering Monday, January 14th at 8 p.m. ET. The show has a built in audience, and will surely deliver big ratings, at least initially, from Sex and the City fans who want to see how it all began.

What’s disappointing is that there is not more connection between THE CARRIE DIARIES and the original series. Yes, they are made by different people, but given the popularity of Sex and the City, and that is what the CW will be banking on to build an audience, besides their typical demographic, a cameo by Sarah Jessica Parker, or a glimpse of a familiar setting, would go a long ways. While Samantha, Miranda, and Charlotte won’t show up for awhile, some thread to their world would be nice. The only touch I noticed in “The Pilot” that speaks to this is the final shot of Carrie (AnnaSophia Robb, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) writing as she looks out the window.

That being said, the bones of the new show are firmly in place as THE CARRIE DIARIES begins. Robb may not look all that much like Parker, but she has the narration, fashion sense, and free spiritedness down. Carrie is still in high school and has a long way to go, but she’s starting off on the right foot.

Also, leaving the series set in the 1980s is a good decision. It allows it to be a period piece, setting it apart from the rest of the CW’s lineup. In retrospect, the production team can hand pick the best trends and music from that era, knowing what will stand the test of time. In this arena, they do well.

The key to the story of THE CARRIE DIARIES has to be that Carrie will grow into the character fans the world over love. That’s why the scenes set inNew York Citywork far better than the ones that take place inConnecticut. In the Big Apple, Carrie visits Century 21 department store and is introduced to the cultural scene by the style editor of her favorite magazine, Larissa (Freema Agyeman, Doctor Who, Law & Order: UK), which sets her off towards her life goals.

Back at the high school, Carrie hangs out with Mouse (Ellen Wong, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World), Maggie (Katie Findlay, The Killing), and Walt (Brendan Dooling), while drooling over Sebastian (Austin Butler, Life Unexpected). None of these people speak to who Carrie will become as an adult, which is probably why they will, or should, all drift away sooner, rather than later, during the run of the show. Obviously, in high school, Carrie is just beginning her real life, but knowing that none of these people play important roles later, the investment to be made in them is minimal.

The balance will have to be found in making Carrie’s high school days matter. Because they don’t, viewers will want her to hurry up and get out of her small town. But she can’t too quickly, because she has years left there. This could potentially stifle the plot, and perhaps the gun was jumped by bringing in Larissa and Carrie’s downtown job so soon.

Carrie’s home life is a different side of her entirely. Dealing with her mother’s recent passing, Carrie acts as a sort of mother figure to her younger sister, rebellious Dorrit (Stefania Owen, Running Wilde), while trying not to be too much trouble for her father, Tom (Matt Letscher, Scandal, Eli Stone). Dorrit and Tom are not in Carrie’s adult stories, so do they drift apart, do they have a major falling out, or will tragedy strike?

The home stuff is actually pretty interesting, because unlike the high school scenes, it contributes to Carrie’s maturation. But, again, because we all know what is to come, it feels a little painted into a corner. Sure, Carrie might maintain healthy relationships with her family, even though they aren’t mentioned for six seasons and two films, but it seems unlikely.

THE CARRIE DIARIES struggles with delivering the CW’s normal fare, teen angst, while building towards something much more. The “Pilot” is intriguing, but not overly special. The cast seems capable enough; will the writing find a balance that succeeds in moving things appropriately forwards? Having not read the novel yet, I do not know if the source material has a good answer for any of this, but the television show has to if it wants to stay on the air.

Want to read some of my fiction? It's on my website, JeromeWetzel.com! Also, for the latest updates and article links, as well as commentary on episodes I don't fully review, please follow me on Twitter!

Article first posted on Seat42F

The Big C "Taking the Plunge"

    Showtime's newest half hour dramedy, The Big C, got off to a rocky start this past summer.  However, happily, the series improved as the episodes went by, and the show ended with an exciting finale last night.  In the beginning, it was cliche and one-note characters that harmed The Big C, but as each week unfolded, each figure got more defined, and developed personality.  There were a few bumps along the way, but some surprises twists and touching moments made this show a permanent spot on my TiVo season pass list.

     Cathy (Laura Linney) finally told her family about her cancer, and that's when things really started taking off.  A large chunk of the season was plagued by marital drama between Cathy and her husband, Paul (Oliver Platt), whom she kicked out almost as soon as she was diagnosed.  Perhaps it's a bit convenient that their union was saved so completly by Paul finding out why Cathy had been acting odd, but Paul always loved Cathy, and it's no wonder he wanted to protect her.  The show touched on Cathy having issues handing over control of anything to Paul, and asking for help.  Although they were not in evidence last night, I assume that will be the ongoing disagreement in season two.

     Cathy's son, Adam (Gabriel Basso) was handled more off-screen.  We only really saw his reaction to his mother deciding to undergo a dangerous treatment.  At first, I was sad at the omission.  But in retrospect, there was plenty of screen time given for Adam to seem completly unaffected by what should have been very emotional stuff, and so, the missing moment wasn't necessary.  Instead, Adam had a much more satisfying climax.  He accidentally discovered a key that he shouldn't have to a storage locker he wasn't supposed to go to until his mother passed away.  It was filled with gifts for his future birthdays, Christmases, graduations, etc.  While Adam had not even shown a frown through other issues, this brought him to tears, as I'm sure it did to any member of the audience with a soul.

     Sean (John Benjamin Hickey) also faced some last minute growth when his former lover, Rebecca (Sex and the City's Cynthia Nixon) told him that she was pregnant with his baby.  Homeless by choice, as part of an environmental activist philosophy, Sean had to do some major self reflection, knowing he would soon be responsibile for another human being.  Sure, Rebecca offered to raise the baby herself, but did anyone believe for a minute that Sean would accept that offer?  Cathy's gift of a house to him was the perfect step.  It didn't seem forced at all.  Still, there will be adjustment.  I chuckled when Sean went out and slept on the lawn because he just couldn't feel comfortable on the couch.  I hope this will earn Nixon a full-time promotion come season two.

     One of the biggest twists, though, came at the end of last week's penultimate episode, when Marlene (Phyllis Somerville), battling Alzheimer's, decided to put a bullet in her own face.  Her funeral was almost fun, as she planned it herself, complete with polka band and scratch off lottery tickets.  Marlene was probably my favorite character, and I felt as affected as the other characters by her choice.  At first, Cathy seemed to see Marlene's act as noble by ending things on her own terms.  Thankfully, the writers took the opportunity to show some of the consequences of her passing, and Cathy came to understand that she wanted to live.  I understand why someone facing such a grevious condition might choose to end it, but others are affected by your actions.  And some will be sad to see you again.  She will be missed.

     All in all, the show did not reach the brilliance of other Showtime hits, such as Weeds or Nurse Jackie, but it carved out it's own little niche, which it will hopefully occupy for at least a few years.

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

The United States of Tara is held together by love

     Showtime's United States of Tara ended their second season with "From This Day Forward" this week.  If I can some up the change from season one to two it is this: the second season focused more on Tara (Toni Collette, Little Miss Sunshine)  than her personalities.  This was a good thing.  Season one was lots of fun, watching the crazy woman who could turn into Alice, Buck, T, or even Gimme at any time.  And sure, there was some delving into her past to discover how she got the way she is.  But now the focus is on Tara's growth and acceptance, and why certain personalities are.  Adding Chicken and Shoshanna, two new alters, into the mix, revealed more about the woman than the new characters.  And we got a lot more background on how Tara grew up.

     That wasn't the only thing that was different, though.  Tara's family got much more interesting.  Marshall (Keir Gilchrist) accepted who he was, and figured out just what kind of gay he was going to be.  Max (John Corbett, Sex and the City) cheated on his wife, and had to figure out all over again how he fit in with the alters.  Kate (Brie Larson) had her own awakening, and was once again unlucky in love, despite her sincere efforts and hopes.  And my favorite of the bunch, sister Charmaine (Rosemarie DeWitt, Rachel Getting Married) was left at the altar by her fiance, who just wasn't right for her, allowing her to stop trying to be normal and follow her heart back into the arms of true love and father of her unborn child, Neil (the incredibly talented and sweet Patton Oswalt).  Or so it appeared.

     The season ended with many more questions than it began with.  Who was Tara and Charmaine's half brother?  What exactly did he do to them?  Why is Tara the only one with split personality?  What effect did it have on Charmaine?  It may be too late to get all the answers, with their mother still being defiant, and their father slipping into Alzheimer's.  Will Tara begin getting better as more is revealed, or will she keep splitting into more people?

      One thing was not left up in the air though.  The series is about a devoted family who love each other very much.  Whatever issues they go through, they will support each other, and come through them.  Not in a soap-opera cheesy way, but in an authentic, caring way.  The show is realistic, despite being about an unusual topic, and sheds light on well defined characters, played by an amazing cast.  I look forward to season three next late winter / early spring.

United States of crazy

     United States of Tara returned to Showtime last night to begin its second season.  Centering on a woman with multiple personalities, it tells the story of a family and their struggles to get through life.  Tara is played by the superb Toni Collette, as are her alters, Alice, Buck, T, and Gimme.  Word is there will be a new alter soon, known as Shoshanna, a therapist.  Shoshanna was not to be seen in this first episode of the season, but the groundwork for her appearance was laid.

     As the episode begins, Tara has gone for three months without any of her other personalities asserting themselves.  This follows her stint in a heavy therapy situation where she sought, and failed, to discover the trauma that made her who she is in the first place.  However, by episode end, Buck made a come back, and began to woo the lovely Joey Lauren Adams (Chasing Amy), a barmaid (see picture).  How this will affect Tara's relationship with her husband, Max (John Corbett, Sex and the City) is anyone's guess, but I'd bet he'd be happier than if it was any of her female alters taking up with a new man.

     Tara's kids are also a major draw.  Unlike in other dramas, they are utilized as full characters in their own right, with intriguing plots.  Daughter Kate (Brie Larson) is done with her sexual harassment suit attempt and has switched her manipulative skills to debt collection.  Son Marshall (Keir Gilchrist) has seemingly embraced his gayness in public, though that will be tested soon, and forgiven his mother, or rather T, for stealing his guy.  Equally fascinating, though not a child, is Tara's sister Charmaine (Rosemarie DeWitt), who after her boob job was corrected, finds herself torn between a dreamy guy who wants to marry her, and Max's portly friend Neil (hilarious, but also good at drama, Patton Oswalt).

     Bottom line is, there is plenty of crazy coming out of Tara and her crew, and I'm surely not going to miss a second.  United States of Tara airs on Showtime Mondays at 10:30pm.

White Collar remains must-see

     Back in October I raved about USA's newest series, White Collar.  What I didn't write about was that three weeks later, I gave it up.  It fell into the rut that most of the network's dramas do, where the case of the week was much more important than the overall story, and that was a huge disappointment to me.  However, with a new premiere looming and rumors that the fall finale had been game changing, I decided to review both where the show left off, and where it picked up again last night.  It made me wish I had never canceled my season pass, which has been restored to the TiVo.

     While each week Neal (Matthew Bomer, Chuck) is still doing the FBI's dirty work, the drama about his missing girl, Kate, (All My Children's Alexandra Daddario) has become more prominent.  She is still around, working for (willfully or not is still a mystery) a crooked agent.  What's more, the mid-season finale left viewers thinking that the man behind the curtain was Neal's partner, Peter (Tim DeKay, Carnivale).  While this would have completely changed the tone and action of the series, and part of me is still wishing it had been true, last night's episode revealed that it is not Peter, but he is onto the real baddie, and remains committed to helping Neal with the issue, though he is suspicious of Kate's motivations.

     Another element I am really enjoying is the developing relationship between Neal and Peter's wife, Elizabeth (Tiffani Thiessen, Saved By the Bell, Beverly Hills 90210).  It is not sexual, but a good friendship that is blossoming.  That Neal often goes to Elizabeth when he begins to doubt Peter, or turns to her when he can't rely on Peter, speaks volumes about the two.  It is a welcome intimacy not often found on television: friendship between straight members of the opposite sex without additional urges.  It may be the number one reason I recommend this show.

     White Collar also stars two other delightful actors: Sex in the City alum, Willie Garson and former The Middleman lead, Natalie Morales.  White Collar airs on the USA Network Tuesday nights at 10pm.

The Closer closes fifth season

     I am not a fan of Kyra Sedgwick, and as such, have never given The Closer a chance.  This, despite the fact that it is the highest watched cable series ever, and the number of viewers has grown every season.  So when I received the screener DVD for tonight's season five finale, I decided to give it a shot.  After all, I can't stand Sarah Jessica Parker, but I liked Sex and the City.  I thought that maybe this would be the same.  I soon confirmed my suspicion, though, that this was a procedural show, not serial, and so while I may like an episode, it is not something I would probably watch regularly.  The following review does contain some slight spoilers, but does not ruin any big twists or the ending of the episode, which airs tonight on TNT.

     This was a great episode.  Sedgwick's Brenda Leigh Johnson is a tad annoying, but she is surrounded by a strong supporting cast, especially J.K. Simmons (Spiderman trilogy) as Chief Pope.  He is grumbling, but lovable, and this week, he has a major beef with Johnson that goes beyond the current case.  If only she knew what it was, she might also discover why her live-in boyfriend Fritz (Jon Tenney, who recently did an arc on Brothers & Sisters) seems irritated with her as well.  The answer to that question may throw quite a wrench into her relationships with both men.  Or maybe not.  You'll find out if you watch the episode.

     The rest of the police team really gelled.  I don't know if they've been fleshed out as individuals, as they all sort of blurred together this week, aside from Taylor (Robert Gossett), who's tough demeanor with the warm center, played apart from the stereotypical, would make a welcome addition to any show, crime related or not.

     This week's main case revolved around the suspected abuse of an officer under the command of Captain Raydor (Mary McDonnell, Battlestar Galactica), returning as a nemesis to Johnson.  Raydor wants Johnson to investigate if one of her women is being beat by her husband, but wants Johnson to tread lightly, though the officer refuses to cooperate.  Of course, things do get ratcheted up a notch, and while the conclusion was predictable, (I knew what really happened as soon as Johnson arrived at the crime scene) watching Sedgwick and McDonnell spar was massively entertaining.  It was a great dynamic, and were McDonnell to return to the show, I'd certainly be interested in watching again.

     Even if you have never watched The Closer, I do recommend turning it on.  You might be pleasantly surprised by what you see.  No prior knowledge needed.