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RSSBeen There, Watched That . . . A Review of 'In Plain Sight'
I never thought I'd say this but sometimes watching so much TV can actually be a bad thing. I know, I know. Perish the thought.
But I would have enjoyed the new USA series In Plain Sight (premiering Sunday at 10 p.m.) so much more if the whole series wasn't a mishmash of clichés I've seen many times before. Sure this series is about U.S. Marshals who safeguard the people in the Witness Protection Program but it is still awfully familiar.
It's as if star Mary McCormack, who plays U.S. Marshal Mary Shannon, came a little too late to the "series featuring a strong female as the lead character" party. McCormack turns in an enjoyable and thoroughly entertaining performance that I feel like I've already seen. Mary is the kind of law enforcement official who will walk into a men's bathroom to interrogate to a suspect. She'll exchange smart and slightly flirtatious banter with her partner. She has a self-deprecating sense of humor. And mother issues. And a sibling in trouble. Certainly there's room on the TV landscape for additional female driven TV series. But this series is more retread than innovation. Call it - In Plain Saving Cold Case Closer Grace.
McCormack is surrounded by a strong cast including Lesley Ann Warren as her mother, Frederick Weller as her partner, Paul Ben-Victor as her boss and Cristián de la Fuente as her lover. I'm only one episode in and I already thinking there's a drinking game in how often de la Fuente is shown without his shirt on.
So I like the series. I'm just not in love with it yet. For now three stars. After you've watched the series premiere of In Plain Sight, let me know what you think.
More final words on some season finales
Sure I could have spent Memorial Day weekend outdoors at barbeques enjoying the beautiful weather. But who has time with such frivolities when there is still so much TV to catch up on. A look at a few more finales and remember don't read until you've watched Ugly Betty, Criminal Minds and Law & Order:
Ugly Betty: Overall: Choose you Betty. Choose you. What worked: I love Vanessa Williams and continue to think she is giving the performance of her career. She is endlessly enjoyable to watch. The scenes between Daniel and Betty are some of the most heartfelt. And I did laugh out loud when Naomi Campbell took out her cell phone and everyone ducked. What didn't: For some reason the whole Gio/Henry/Betty triangle that I used to love now seems way past its prime. I mean really who proposes and then immediately leaves? Suddenly neither one of them seems like the right choice for our Betty. I'm so hoping Betty is heading for a "I choose me" moment a la Kelly Taylor, don't you? And Alexis suddenly turning on Daniel didn't quite make sense and undermined the relationship the show has built between those two. Maybe that's why will be seeing less of Rebecca Romijn next season. How the show is looking for next season: The series needs to decide what it's going to be in its third season. Because since returning from the strike it's been a little all over the place. That's not exactly ugly but it hasn't been pretty.
Law & Order: Overall: The show's still got it. What worked: Yay to seeing more Sam Waterson and giving his character a juicy story line. Plus the show thrives on ripped from the headlines stories and I loved Tom Everett Scott as the corrupt governor. Anthony Anderson fits right in with the show and he and Jeremy Sisto make a great team. What didn't: Really, Jack is the only one who recognizes the Governor's voice on the tape? Really? I know this worked best for the plot, but come on! How the show is looking for next season: Here's hoping Scott returns next season to reprise his role. Now that Jack's his enemy who knows what could happen?
Criminal Minds: Overall: I'm going to have to watch the season premiere. What worked: You know I've often written off this show as too dark and violent for my taste. But I really liked the finale and the way it built up to a shocking cliffhanger. And I liked how the series explored the long term damaging effects the job can have on people. What didn't: Alas poor Erik Palladino, the minute Emily said he loved his wife, you knew he would be shot. The series remains slightly too predictable and the dialogue (like the conversation between Palladino's character and Emily) a little too stereotypical. How the show is looking for next season: As I said I'm going to have to tune in to see who was injured in the car explosion. Do you guys have any guesses?
Highlights of the Week Ahead
All times listed are Eastern Time for May 26- June 1
We'll be seeing a lot of Daniel Dae Kim this week. Of course, he'll be in the Lost finale this Thursday at 9 p.m. and he also stars in the The Andromeda Strain beginning Monday at 9 p.m. on A & E. Benjamin Bratt, Eric McCormack, Ricky Schroder, Andre Braugher, Christa Miller, and Viola Davis also star. The mini-series concludes Tuesday night.
Don't forget that ABC Family says goodbye to Wildfire Monday at 9 p.m. And that Ryan Sypek, who plays Junior on Wildfire, will guest star on Greek Monday at 8 p.m. on ABC Family. I don't think there's a show easier to love than Greek. It really is a perfect show. It doesn't make you think too hard. It's endlessly entertaining with smart pop-culture references (how many times did you repeat the scene that Beaver screaming "Donna Martin Graduates"), clever inside jokes (we all loved Alan Ruck calling his date Sloane in a nice homage to Ferris Bueller's Day Off) plus characters you really care about. And what do we make of Evan's recent return to the dark side (paying someone to not date Casey, really Evan?)
Fans of The Unit you already know the show is coming back for a fourth season and here's some more good news. Repeats of the series begin airing Tuesday at 9 p.m. on CBS. In this October repeat, Jonas must protect a pop diva (played by season four American Idol finalist Mikalah Gordon).
Men in Trees won't be back for a third season in the fall, but at least you'll be able to see the rest of this season. The show returns to the schedule Wednesday at 10 p.m. on ABC. Jack prepares for his first college lecture and Annie auditions people for Elmo's First Annual Talent Show.
The Sex and the City movie opens Friday. There are not words for how excited I am. So skip TV on Friday, heck skip work and rush to see the movie. Let's all hope it can live up to the hype.
That's all for today. I'm back on Wednesday so we can begin to prepare for the season finale of Lost (go to your happy place) and with this week's familiar faces. Have a question. Seen a familiar face? Want to nominate a quote of the week or a topic for discussion? Write me at amytvgal@zap2it.com. Talk to you on Wednesday.
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Zap2it Twitter Talk 
Amy thanks for the tip about Daniel Dae Kim, I remember the first time I seen him was when he was on one of the episodes of Star Trek Voyager, then seen him playing a cop I think in the first season of 24. Right off the bat I remembered him from Voyager. So glad he was found and put on Lost, I'm just hoping with my fingers cross that's he doesn't bite the bullet in Lost season finale. I'm looking so forward that that and yes I'm being in my happy place with happy thoughts of hopes of no only Jin fate but Desmond as well while their on the freighter with all tha C4 explosive on board. Please don't let the season end with a big bang just move the friggin island John, lol.
Just checked the ratings... weekly and for the season. NCIS is no 9 and 13 respectively. Yet I find nary a mention of the show's finale this season on Zap2it... anywhere! You all blather on about shows that 'no one is watching. I'm beginning to feel like there must be something wrong with me for enjoying the show and caring about the characters. Rather tramatic final show... a big audience all season considering its been up against 'IDOL'... some 'insider' feedback would be appreciated. Thanks
Holy cliffhanger on Criminal Minds! Excellent way to make me really want summer to rush by!
Ugly Betty was good, but I feel like the show just isn't consistant. One week Gio is the most annoying person ever and I never want to see Betty with a deli sandwich again and the next week, I adore him! I loved Henry all along and now I think he is a jerk to propose!
I completely agree regarding the Daniel/Alexis relationship. She caved way to quickly, especially consider all the pacts they were making not to let Wilimenia get to them. I have no respect for Alexis now, especially because Daniel stuck up for her during her tranny issues and she dumps him so quick!
I totally agree with Jim with regards to NCIS. I started watching on when it was syndicated on USA and was hooked. I love Mark Harmon and I really hope the show isn't pulling a "House" because I love the team just the way it is. The show deserves more attention and credit for be so fun and clever.
Ugly Betty has been going down the toilet this whole season. The last good episode was the Rebecca Romijn reveal. I still watch, still enjoy, but I wouldn't exactly say it was a really good show anymore.
I choose Gio because I am so over Henry at this point, but Gio was quickly growing stale, too.
As much as I love ugly betty i have to admit that teh strike hasnt been good on teh show! but im hopin that it return to its former self in the third season!! anyway im just sad the seasons over u hate summer reality shows!!!although cant wait for teh finale of Lost!!!
Finally some attention to Criminal Minds. Thanks Amy.
I must say this was my favorite season finale to date. I can't wait to find out what happens next. Vote: Hotchner
i actually thought the crim minds finale was a bit too predictable...i'm thinking it'll prob be paget brewster *oe possibly shemar moore but i doubt it's him.
it won't be tomas gibson, joe mantengna, garcia, or spencer reid, (wait was that woman from dawson's creek who also plays gibson's wife one of the possibilities who blows up cause if so then my money's on her.)
they've all already had horribly traumatic things happen to them on the show in their 2 plus seasons already. (shemar moore also) i think paget brewster's the only one there who hasn't had something horrible happen to her yet, so i think it might be her.
all that said, i like the show in general but i have to agree with amy on a lot of her points, the show in general is a little too predicatable and kinda generic, not that there's anything wrong with that, like i said i enjoy it on a weekly basis, and sometimes it can be clever, but for the most part, its kinda feels like generic crime proceedural with a team that each represents a different take on crime solving. (also not helping is other tv shows that covered profilers already like well Profiler for example.)
its a well done show most weeks, but its not one to change the face of tv (although it does make it way more violent if that counts)
Law and Order is a hundred precent better this season, i don't know how **** wolf and the other producers did it, but the cast changes this season have been nearly flawless, and the eps themselves feel a lot tighter and a lot faster paced then in the last several years. Bravo! (I really really like Jeremy Sisto's low key approach, he's an excellent addition. i wasn't too sure about Linus Roache at fitst, but he's been proving himself to be a first rate ADA as well. not just anyone could take over that role, and he's been handling it quite nicely so far. i'm not too sure about a. anderson just yet. i still miss Jesse Martin's sardonic everyguy.)
I think the NCIS team will all end up back together by the end of the 2nd or 3rd ep of this coming season. this does not strike me as a House type situation where they'll be new people, also they all loved working under Gibbs (unlike the trio who worked under House.) That's a very enjoyable show as well, hooked me back in their 2nd year when i stumbled across it accidently. (This was when The Amazing Race aired next to it) ITs got a nice light vibe to it most of the time, but i find a lot of the eps to be kinda forgettable though, i know because i've seen a large majority of 'em and yet when i look on USA i completely forget who did what, and these are eps with Ziva which I know i've seen all of!!!! its a good show though!
I agree, I'd like to see Amy discuss NCIS more, but we can't really expect her to watch everything, can we? NCIS is definitely in my top two shows. I don't think I'm worried about the finale and what it means for next season though. The only time I've seen them follow-through on a threat to mess with the team is when they killed Kate, and that was a shock that, if I recall correctly, they didn't advertise or tease. And she wanted to leave the show. They once teased that Mark Harmon would be leaving and he didn't, although I did hear Harmon had some differences with Bellisario and he threatened to leave over them. Many of the main characters - Tony, McGee, and Ziva - have all been framed for murder and found innocent. I just wasn't worried with the finale. I think, as a previous poster said, Gibbs will have the team back together by the first few eps of next season. And, to be honest, I don't think Vance, the new director, is even a bad guy for doing it. I actually think he has his reasons, like maybe he thinks there is a double agent in the service and somehow splitting the team will help catch him. I don't know, but his shredding that do***ent before he gave them their new orders makes me think he's playing his own version of internal affairs. There will be a reason, I believe, and the team will be put back together.
The Finale of LOST! I cannot wait, but at the same time I am a bit sad because I know how long I will have to wait for next season. LOST is easily my favorite show on television and this season has been nothing but stellar! The writing has been top-notch and say what you want about other shows, but LOST has always been the best acted TV show on the air! The show has the best ensemble and many have been given the chance to showcase their talents. Here's hoping Matthew Fox gets some recognition this year! I know some disagree, but he IMO is the most overlooked performer on TV. I cannot wait to see your take on this finale which is sure to be a great capper to an outstanding season!