In Plain Sight (1.7)

Sunday, July 13, 2008

In Plain Sight 1.7 – "Iris Doesn’t Live Here Anymore"

One of these kids is doing is doin' their own thing, one of these kids is not the same...

Iris McBride, 17, and her boyfriend Lawrence Parker, are walking down a block in an East L.A. neighborhood minding their own business when a car pulls up alongside them and the Hispanic teens inside begin harassing them. The young couple tries to ignore their taunting, but when the guy in the car pulls out a Mac-10 and starts spraying bullets everywhere, Lawrence springs into action and jumps in front of Iris, taking several bullets for her. It's bad enough for Iris that her boyfriend has just been shot almost to death, but the fact that the shooters were members of one of the most dangerous gangs in the country makes matters much worse-not only for Iris but also for her entire family. Five hours later, Mary and Marshall have arrived in Los Angeles to transport the McBride family to Albuquerque, who haven't yet been told that they'll have about ten minutes to gather up their belongings and leave their lives behind-immediately. Her father, Warren McBride, a successful doctor, is livid when he learns that just because his daughter disobeyed him and went to the wrong part of town, he has to give up his successful medical practice that he worked so hard and long to build. Mary assures them that things will get better, but that's hard for them to believe when they'll have to move to Albuquerque to live on a government stipend in "Casa WITSEC" until their finances can be sorted out and the only job that the haughty Doctor McBride can get is at a free clinic-and that's only possible because Marshall pulled a few strings. Mary certainly knows what to do to keep Iris safe when she has to return to Los Angeles to ID the suspect, but what Mary's not so confident about is how she's going to keep the now "Morris" from falling apart, or worse, getting themselves killed. Meanwhile-back in her own hot mess of a personal life-Mary's trying to get back into some kind of rhythm with Raphael, which isn't easy when your younger (and sluttier-dressing) sister is trying to move in on your territory. And especially when said younger sister catches another woman answering her own boyfriend Chuck's phone...

Manatee: This was one of my favorite episodes of IPS yet.

Marmot: Definitely. It was finally about something interesting, not trying to protect someone from being killed. Immediately killed, that is.

Manatee: It was just the pure emotional side of leaving your entire life behind to start again. Sometimes, I think people dream about the opportunity to start over fresh, but this was a great look into the drama behind what's really involved. Quitting the medical profession, leaving your family, seasons Dodgers tickets, or what have you. Not to mention the idea of being a father first and an individual second.

Marmot: Exactly. This was a really well written episode, especially the struggle the father was having with being a proud, but ultimately selfish person and sacrificing personally for his family. It was ultimately resolved, but it was a definite struggle for him to get there. Kudos to writer Linda Burstyn on this episode.

Manatee: This was an episode I was looking forward to - clips had been on the previews prior to the premiere. My personal struggle with this show is that I want it to be more procedural than it is. I'll tell you why. Her personal life, family drama is not handled well. If it was, then I'd be fine with flying with it. But the drama with the boyfriend, who cares. So they obviously lack chemistry. The sister is a bad actress. And her personal issues are (I think) supposed to be mysterious, but come across as lazy... maybe the writers didn't know where they wanted to go with it yet. We've never really learned enough about her "previous" life or the suitcase of drugs to really feel invested in her "baggage" issues.

Marmot: Was that an intended pun?

Manatee: Yes

Marmot: Good. I agree with you on the sister. She's really just eye candy. I get the scene with her in her underwear, but her ethical struggle of whether or not to go after her sister's boyfriend doesn't really come across when looking at her chest and legs.

Manatee: The scenes involving her family make we want to turn off the tv and tune back in when the work stuff comes on.

Marmot: Where was the mom in this episode? The scenes with her family are always strange, because they rarely have Mary in them. When she does show up, it feels like you're watching a spinoff and she's guest starring. So it gives it more of an ensemble feel, but it's not an ensemble show. Just weird.

Manatee: The mom is even more pointless than the daughter. Do you ever get the feeling USA is airing the shows in a different order than they filmed them and those family scenes are just cut and paste into the show as needed?

Marmot: I think you may be on to something. Like they're just splicing their scenes in when the show is running short.

Manatee: Because the fam stuff doesn't always correspond like it did with that gambling episode. I don't think this show is going anywhere - it ranked #3 this week for cable series. I'm sure there is bound to be a second season!

In Plain Sight (1.6)

Sunday, July 6^th @ 10 PM

USA

In Plain Sight – Season 1, Episode #6 - “High Priced Spread”

Mary learns that her witness, a NCAA basketball star, has a gambling problem. (USANetwork.com)

Manatee: Why are TV shows so darn convenient? A ward in Witness Protection has a gambling addition, so did Mary's dad. Now as the ward battles his addiction, so must Mary battle the legacy her father left her.

Marmot: What's sad is the fact that this was probably the best episode so far.

Manatee: It wasn't bad. I guess your standards lower when it's summer time.

Marmot: Let's talk about the elephant in the room: Marshall hooking up - repeatedly - with his former college professor/TA. How completely pointless was that?

Manatee: I'm not sure what that was all about. I kind of always figured he (what do they say?) "Held a torch" for Mary.... he was really in love with her, his best friend, but she seems him as only that.

Marmot: I think that can be true still. When you have feelings for someone like that, who is a close/best friend, there's can be a disconnect between love and lust. I don't think Marshall would ever get into anything serious if he truly is carrying a torch for her, but he'll allow himself the occasional hook up, then find some kind of flaw that Mary doesn't have, thereby justifying (only to himself) holding out for Mary, instead of allowing himself to open up to the possibility of someone else. It's dangerous and lonely waters that he is treading in.

Manatee: Makes sense. I just didn't really feel like the episode help up at the end. Ultimately, where was the older brother? Kidnapped by the bookie's goons or out for a stroll still po-ed at this little brother and thus skipping the game? I know the authorities contacted Mary and said Scott was safe, but it was kind of vague and a little too easy and convenient if you ask me.

Marmot: I just assumed that the older brother was kidnapped by the evil suburban bookie, but that's because the show told me to. In retrospect, he may have never been in danger.

Manatee: Maybe he pulled over for an ice cream?

Marmot: I would. It's hot in New Mexico.

Manatee: How did you feel about Mary's emotional breakdown?

Marmot: Weak. She was pushing hard to get those tears out. I wonder something...how far away do you think Mary lives from Walter White on Breaking Bad?

Manatee: Hmmm, good cross over idea. Maybe he should join Witness Protection.

Marmot: There are only about 850,000 people in Albuquerque

Manatee: That's a good amount, but I'm sure they've met before.

Marmot: They would have to run into each other at some point.

Manatee: At the gas station

Marmot: Probably. Or Target. I bet Mary shops at Target.

Manatee: Walter strikes me as more of a Wal-Mart guy.

Marmot: Hmm. I think you're right.

In Plain Sight (1.4 & 1.5)

Sundays June 22nd & 29th, 2008 @ 10 PM

USA

In Plain Sight - Season 1, Episodes 4-5 - "Trojan Horst" & "Who Shot Jay Arnstein?"

Episode #4: Mary and Marshall are caught in the cross-fire of a contract killer while transporting a witness.

Episode #5: Mary works to solve the mystery of who tried to kill her witness, an art dealer. To complicate matters, both his mistress and his wife are in the program…and key suspects. (USANetwork.com)

Marmot: So we got a little behind in our summer viewing habits. It's all the days spent splashing around at the beach. Marmots and manatees love that stuff. Seriously, look it up. But we have 2 big reviews of In Plain Sight, and that's pretty exciting. They were two very different episodes, too. In one, Mary hunkers down, a la Outlaw Josey Wales and takes on a bunch of baddies who are working for a contract killer. Played by Dave Foley. Yes, that Dave Foley.

Manatee: Boy, did he gain some weight. But seriously, I thought that episode (Trojan Horst) really raised the stakes. Mary kicked some butt! The action was a nice distraction for the usual Shannon Family melodrama.

Marmot: I was kinda disappointed that there wasn't a big shootout at the end. But oh well. This show had a fundamental example of bad villany. Dave Foley's character was supposedly working for a woman named Lola, after a song about a man pretending to be a woman. Pretty much anyone could have figured this out. I think it's referred to as the Riddler Syndrome - The Riddler would always come up with semi-elaborate riddles to clue Batman in on his nefarious crimes, when it would have been a lot easier to just keep his mouth shut. Idiot.

Manatee: It always comes back to Batman!

Marmot: Batman is the key to everything.

Manatee: I wish that action had carried over to last night's episode. It went back to Mary's dramatic home life and boyfriend complications.

Marmot: Is she supposed to be a detective? It seems like the show has been increasingly headed in that direction.

Manatee: I don't think so. She's just supposed to take care of Witsec people, but her "clients" somehow get themselves involved in crimes in New Mexico constantly. And she needs to bail them out. She always seems to find the good in these people when 9 times out of 10 they are criminals, hence being in Witness Protection.

Marmot: Yeah, why are most of her people criminals. Don't non-criminals witness crimes? Wasn't there an episode of The Simpsons where they went into Witsec to hide from Sideshow Bob?

Manatee: She did protect that little 8 year old boy who saw his dad kill his mom... but then it turned out the kid really killed his mom. Hmmm, I thought normal people got to be protected. Maybe USA is trying to make a political statement: the government only protects and makes deals with the bad guys?

Marmot: It took me a second to realize you meant the USA network and not the USA country. Personally, I would appreciate some variety in the protectee of the week.

Manatee: I would agree with that. I would also appreciate stronger teasers. I’m sick of the how or why a person gets into Witsec and then it shows them chatting with Mary about entering the program. Then it skips about 6 months ahead to when they are established in Witsec and all hell breaks loose.

Marmot: Yeah, those are tiresome.

Manatee: Shouldn't they be more exciting to hook us into the show, not drive us away?

Marmot: You would think. But then the rest of the show isn't working towards that goal, either.

In Plain Sight (1.3)

Sunday, June 15th, 2008 @ 10 PM

USA

In Plain Sight - Season 1, Epiosde 3 - "Never the Bride"

In "Never the Bride," Mary acted as maid of honor to protect her witness, Treena the diamond smuggler, at her high-profile wedding. (USAnetwork.com)

Marmot: I hated this episode. Just really bad.

Manatee: Not that episode # 2 was stellar, but what a sharp turn for the worst. I'm not sure that this show will be able to produce any more decent episodes. I'm pretty sure it's sinking.

Marmot: That was quick. Where was the mom in this episode?

Manatee: She didn't appear at all. That's one issue with this show. We've talked about the balance (imbalance) of the family/personal life vs. work life. The BF was missing in episode 2 but showed up and purposed in episode 3. The mom was absent though in episode 2 she had a large story line. The stupid sister was still there unfortunately.

Marmot: It's odd that the Mom just sort of disappeared. I was also hoping the guy with the eye patch would show up, but no dice. I thought the whole story in this episode was weak, with Missy Pyle stealing diamonds...what?

Manatee: The whole story line was unfortunately all revolving around Mary's emotional commitment issues and the Witness Protection aspect just mirrored her issues.

Marmot: Which could be nice, if used properly. But...it wasn't. I couldn't care less about what was going on with her...client? What are they called?

Manatee: Ward?

Marmot: I don’t like that. They should change it.

Manatee: There were also some really dumb "comic relief" scenes. Like the detective on the horse at the end, leading the bad guy by a rope. Marshall and his boss dancing at work.

Marmot: Marshall and his inability to talk to Mary's boobs.

Manatee: Weird sexual tension between those two

Marmot: Yeah. It's there, it's just weird.

Manatee: Overall, I don't like where the characters are going... which is nowhere really. There is no growth, no stakes for anyone.

Marmot: Well, it is still early. It's only the 3rd episode. Usually these shows take a little while. How many are in this season?

Manatee: Well, I think there are only 12. So I'm going to be your typical TV watcher... I want more now. I don't have time to sit around and watch a character slowly evolve over 4 seasons! I want awesomeness now! I demand it.

Marmot: Only 12? Yeah, something should have happened by now. I call for a Marshall / bald boss hookup!

Manatee: I'll second that. Though I think everyone is in love with Mary (ring a bell)... Marshall, her BF, her boss, and maybe that little 10 year old from last week.

In Plain Sight (1.2)

Sunday, June 8th, 2008 @ 10 PM

USA

In Plain Sight - Season 1, Epiosde 2 - "Hoosier Daddy"

Mary protects a 10-year-old witness from being returned to his father, one of the largest drug traffickers in the Midwest. (USAnetwork.com)

Manatee: I am strangely interested in this show, though all logic tells me I should hate it.

Marmot: It's not terrible, like Canterbury's Law or New Amsterdam or other "case of the week" type shows.

Manatee: It's definitely not as bad as those two. I wonder if my expectations are lower since IPS airs on USA as opposed to one of the networks

Marmot: It's not as good as some of the shows on FX or AMC, but I've never watched anything on USA, so I didn't really know what to expect. I always hear good things, but I've boycotted the USA Network since they canceled Cartoon Express in the mid-80s.

Manatee: That's a long time to hold a grudge. USA does not have the best programming. Monk (going into its 7th season) is highly popular and does very well in the ratings. But it's not my cup of tea. Their programming is a little timid for me. A little too soft (see: Starter Wife). Burn Notice is decent but still on the fluffier side.

Marmot: I saw part of one episode of Psych once. It looks like it was made 20 years ago.

Manatee: The quality is also not that great. With IPS I feel like it wants to go a little edgier but then it holds back. Mary has the serious "Law & Order" type cases, but she also has to deal with a kooky mom and wacky sex-pot sister. And you have the comic relief of her boss mixed in.

Marmot: I don't really get why her mom and sister are so ribald. Their daughter/sister seems fairly normal, except for her habitual list making. However, the mom is having trysts with a pirate and the sister has a suitcase full of drugs and doesn't own anything that extends past the knee.

Manatee: I think it's in their best interest to write these two out. Does it give Mary another dimension to her character to have a crazy uncontrollable home life? Or is it added in because she's a woman?

Marmot: I think it's supposed to juxtapose with her nature - centered, strong woman in the midst of chaos both at home and at work. But she had two scenes with the mom and sister. One where she yells at them for being a mess, and another where they try to stop being a mess but still end up looking crazy (i.e. the door to door cosmetics sales).

Manatee: I don't think she is that strong or centered at home. She can't control her home life very well. But it does show a soft side of her (giving her mom $2500, which is clearly a mistake) which you don't see that often at work. Except in last night's episode where you see her reaching out to this young boy and actually caring. I'm not sure where this show will go. On one hand you do have the procedural side which sort of gets changed up week after week. But then again, how many witness protection cases can one city have? But on episode #2 I'm already sick of her family/personal side.

Marmot: I didn't see the pilot, so the only exposure I had to her home life was yelling at her mom and sister to get their acts together and clean up her house, so she gave off the impression of being the normal, grounded roommate compared to the other two loud and irresponsible roommates. I was kind of surprised that the mom and sister didn't start playing quarters in the living room.

Manatee: She is definitely more 'mature' and 'normal' than her mom and sister, but I don't think she has control of either of them. She obviously is not happy about the living situation (which PS did not get resolved). The sister did not pay rent nor did she circle the calendar. In the pilot, they threw her a surprise party which is nice, but Mary dreaded it. Her sister steals Mary's “booty call's” car and also has a suitcase full of drugs. Her home life is basically way out of order whether she knows it now or not. She certainly will soon. I suspect that the sister/drug problem will come to a head in a few more episodes.

Marmot: That's going to happen, for sure. Where did the sister come from, anyway? And did she live with her mom at the beginning of the pilot?

Manatee: She came from New Jersey. I think she was with her BF there. There was a little phone call last night that shed a little light on the info. She just arrived via train in the pilot. The mom already lived there. Not sure why.

Marmot: Well, I think I'll keep watching it. It was interesting enough to keep my eyes open, but if the case work is too similar each week, I may just give up.

Manatee: Only time will tell.