I think by now we’ve established the fact that USA Network knows how to cook a mean character. Each and every original series that the network’s produced is a hit on one scale or another — including Monk, which I otherwise can’t speak to because I don’t watch it.

Within the last week, I’ve enjoyed two episodes of Psych from last season (finally caught up!), as well as the pilot of White Collar (twice), the new and extremely exciting series that premiered last weekend. And the latter included commercials for the upcoming season of Burn Notice. All of which actually got me thinking that, if not for the atypical situation of my being behind on one series, and a new one premiering, I might be spending long stretches of time with no USA Network whatsoever.

Now I’ll grant you that that’s not so strange, considering that the major networks take summers off (well, used to … and still should, judging by their offerings), and that USA offers only a handful of original programming. But what about the fact that I want what I want? Read the rest of this entry »

Full disclosure: I was so bored last night, I had to fight to stay awake. Wow; just not a good episode.

And for a season finale? I think the writers of In Plain Sight may have tried to dig a bit too deep with this season, what with the additional three episodes over last. I’m not saying it can’t be done (see Burn Notice, season two), but it may have been too much for this group.

Here’s the issue I take with plots like this one: where’s the drama in the main character’s life “being in danger?” Is Mary McCormack not signed on through next season? Of course she is! Could they, theoretically, pull a Sopranos and have her in a coma for much of next year? Sure, but that doesn’t mean her life will ever be in danger. Unless, of course, USA Networks doesn’t show McCormack the money. In that case…. Read the rest of this entry »

Okay, so that’s not literally true, but, how many surprises do we need in our guest star’s past? His best friend died in a boating accident; his best friend panicked, and our guy left him behind to save himself in a boating accident; our guy is the best friend, and he stole the other dude’s identity. So … we’re supposed to believe that James Frain’s real British accent was a fake? “Not bloody likely.”

The story was a bit contrived. Okay. The real loop I got thrown for was how poor Mary and Marshal suddenly are at controlling their witnesses. I’m sure I will get plenty of argument from Ryan, but the bottom line is that they had a total lack of control over NEW inductees into the WITSEC program. Mary didn’t have clue one what was flying, and I feel like our duo is becoming more detective than protector. Yes, the former is an important part of the job, but what good is entering The Program when those tasked to protect you are incapable? Read the rest of this entry »

Leverage

“OK, so what do we do now?” – Parker
“Well, I just sent Eddie to the hospital … so lets go steal us a hospital.” – Nate

“If I mention Star Trek One, Three, or Five, then everything’s okay, because the odd ones sucked. But if I mention Two, Four, or Six … What do you do?” – Hardison to Eliot, explaining his “code”
[later in the episode]
[over the intercom] “Would Dr. Ralph O’Conn please report to surgery? Dr. Ralph O’Conn, report to surgery! Ralph O’Conn!” – Hardison warning Eliot of the hit man Read the rest of this entry »

Alright, so it was kind of sad, on its face … but, as predictable as it was, I still found the office engagement party to be pretty damn funny. Eleanor (Holly Maples) and Stan (Paul Ben-Victor) awaiting Mary and Marshals’ return with some hats and drinks? Good stuff.

Of all the shows that I watch on TV, In Plain Sight was possibly the last I imagined going PC. That is, a lesbian witness, whose sexual orientation was taken in stride. For whatever reason, I didn’t expect it to happen, but I appreciated how it was handled: nothing different happening here. Sure, there were the occasional comments by Marshal, but his inappropriateness level would have been the same had the witness been a tree, or a rock…. Give it a minute. Read the rest of this entry »

Sorry for the delay; I spent all of yesterday on the phone with the postal service. It seems that no one can find the royalty check that the writers on In Plain Sight must have sent me. It’s like no one even knew what I was talking about. I figured, “the episode aired Sunday night, so they probably meant to get it to me beforehand, in which case, it should have arrived by Saturday, latest.” Thus my response to everyone that, “no, it wasn’t most likely in Monday’s mail.” It wasn’t, anyway, so that blew their theory to hell.

Anyway, while I await what most assuredly must be arriving in today’s mail, I figure I might as well revisit said episode with you. I’ll fill you all in when the check finally gets here.

I thought the training video storyline was hilarious. In its application, I was a bit disappointed by the end, because I imagined Marshal and Mary starring in it, but I like how old-school the original was, and how brain-dead even the new, finished product, was. That it was meant to mirror Mary’s life was a bit too obvious, and I’m kind of surprised that it was news to her; it was like saying to her, “Mary, you wear jeans,” and having her be stunned at the revelation. But, okay. Read the rest of this entry »

Okay, so that threw me for a huge loop. Did anyone follow the logic at the end of last night’s episode of In Plain Sight?

Rafe’s (Cristián de la Fuente) mom is in town for his and Mary’s engagement party. Already a little strange, but, fine. Time for a game of pretend this is happening, so as not to disturb the mother steeped in traditions, and what not. Check. Mary can’t go through with it, tells the truth, and she and Rafe have a showdown. Got it.

Now, here’s where the episode doubled down on things: Rafe and Mary finally (finally!) realize that they’re not on the same page. That something’s wrong with their line of communication. In fact, Rafe’s spent the last nine months seriously contemplating retirement from professional baseball, a move he made real the day before. Clearly, there’s a disconnect in your relationship if you could physically make that kind of HUGE, life-altering decision without your partner in life. So, what does Mary do? Read the rest of this entry »