Song Lyric of the Day:
We’ve got stars directing our fate / And we’re praying it’s not too late / Cause we know we’re falling from grace
Robbie Williams / “Millenium”
5:46PM.
The summer TV season has essentially come to an end, but my love affair with my Tivo continues. Over the last two days I finally watched the first four episodes of Fox‘s new drama, “Prison Break.” Young Michael Scofield (Wentworth Miller) purposely commits an armed robbery to land in the same prison as his older brother, Lincoln Burrows (Dominic Purcell). Burrows has been sentenced to death for killing the vice president’s brother and is slated to die in 30 days. Scofield is convinced his brother is innocent and was set up for the crime, and is determined to break them both out before Lincoln is executed. Scofield convinces his close friend–and Lincoln’s ex-girlfriend-Veronica Duncan (Robin Tunney), a lawyer, to continue searching for the truth outside the walls of Fox River State Penitentiary. At its worst, “Prison Break” does require that the viewer suspend all disbelief and just go with the flow (being sentenced to the same prison as your brother and connecting with inmates who can help you escape). At its best, the show offers an exciting story unfolding in real time (approximately one day per episode), a la “24.” How many other shows would let the protagonist be attacked and have a couple of his toes chopped off (by hedgeclippers) at the end of only the second episode? The show features two strong leading men who are very easy on the eyes; never have buzzcuts been so attractive. The acting and direction are excellent, including a diverse, talented supporting cast. So far, I think the only weak link is the writing–the scripts could stand to be a bit stronger with more engaging dialogue. That said, I will continue to tune in since the show still manages to hold my interest and leave me wanting to see how (because it’s inevitable that they will) Scofield and Burrows escape. And really, that’s what escapist TV is all about.
The second season of “Rescue Me” came to an end this week. I am once again in awe of what a strong actor Denis Leary has become. Over the course of this season alone, his Tommy Gavin hit rock bottom, sobered up, repaired his marriage, discovered and lost a half-brother, and lost his only son, causing his marriage to fall apart again, possibly for good. And that’s only the one character. The supporting characters saw their share of heartache as well, most notably Chief Reilly’s struggle to come to terms his only child’s homosexuality while losing his beloved wife to Alzheimer’s Disease. The show manages not to plumb the depths of despair where “NYPD Blue” often dwelled thanks in large part to the supporting cast and the comic relief the show’s writers (Leary included) inject into the scripts. Probie and Garrity’s drunk duet of “Lady Marmalade?” Classic. Franco surprising Sean on multiple occasions with a punch to the face? Priceless. The diversity class all of Ladder 62 was forced to attend? Hilarious. It’s these moments of levity that balance the pathos of “Rescue Me.” The characters expose their flaws and prejudices while trying to maintain a positive outlook on all the craziness, tragedy, and general insanity life throws their way, whether it’s balancing work and family life or simply trying to fit in. Kind of like we all have to do.
The real TV revelation for me (and Rich) this summer has to be the wonder that is “Veronica Mars.” Kristen Bell leads a pitch-perfect cast as the titular heroine, a modern-day high school Nancy Drew. Veronica works for P.I. dad Keith Mars (Enrico Colantoni) as an office assistant, which of course leads to her solving all sorts of mysteries on her own. The cases range from stolen dogs to cheating basketball players to the show’s central first-year mystery: who killed Lily Kane–Veronica’s best friend, Duncan’s sister, Logan’s girlfriend, and daughter of Duncan Kane, a wealthy industrialist? The show beautifully managed to maintain suspense throughout the whole season while developing involving, realistic characters. Veronica’s high school in the wealthy enclave of Neptune, CA, is realistic in how she is now a social outcast because of her dad’s diminished status in the community. The show’s dialogue is always believable. Logan, Lily’s boyfriend, is a very troubled young man with an abusive father and a presumed-dead mother. Duncan suffers from a violent form of epilepsy and is struggling to deal with the loss of his sister. Wallace is Veronica’s best friend, through and through, never questioning her when she says “I need a favor.” Weevil, a biker outcast, loved Lily and is loyal to Veronica, often protecting her from danger when the need arises. The heart and soul of the show, though, is the amazing relationship between Veronica and Keith. A disgraced sheriff-turned-P.I. for his failed resolution of the Lily Kane murder case, Keith has been Veronica’s only parent since her mother fled town in disgrace when Keith lost his job. Every girl should have such an open, honest relationship with her father. The resolution to Lily’s case, while the underlying, season-long mystery, still managed to thrill and surprise us. Veronica was in mortal danger upon discovering who Lily’s killer was, and her dad surprised us not because he put himself in mortal danger to save her, but by how he didn’t hesitate to do so. Never once did we doubt Keith would be willing to die to save his daughter. And it did indeed seem touch-and-go there during the season finale. I can not recommend this show enough. Season two, premiering on September 28 at 9PM, can not start soon enough.
