In Plain Sight, Season 2 – CliqueClack Preview

USA, okay! And I mean that, brother.

Once an afterthought cable network without a clear identity, in just a few short years this little network that could has become a destination for hit series. With syndication licenses for shows like Law & Orders: SVU and Criminal Intent, NCIS, House and JAG, the network has quickly become a regular part of my television watching experience. And then their original series broke through. As Larry David’s George Steinbrenner would say: “I am blown. Bloooown away. Blown George. Bloooooooooooown!”

From Monk to Psych to Burn Notice, USA has had nary a miss (although The Starter Wife….) The conceits are original and daring: a compulsive detective with OCD, a fake-psychic detective (and see how many poor imitations this has spawned), and a spy cut out by his own agency, aren’t your average characters, yet on USA, they’re all welcome.

So it was a no brainer that, when In Plain Sight was announced, I was intrigued. I’ll admit that I was not a fan of Mary McCormack‘s Kate Harper on The West Wing, which did give me pause, but the concept of the show, and the success of USA originals, led me to record the pilot. I’m glad I made that decision.

McCormack stars as independent Mary Shannon, a US Marshal stationed in New Mexico, who works for the Witness Protection Program. The arrival of her mother (Lesley Ann Warren) and sister (Nichole Hiltz) in season one greatly complicates her world, coming to a head when she discovers that her sister is embroiled in a drug ring that collapses right there in little Albuquerque. That’s a lot to handle for a woman in her line of work, who’s gone through a kidnapping, is on the outs with her boyfriend (Cristian de la Fuente), and whose partner (Fred Weller) has alternated between wanting to leave the Marshals and being shot.

Each week, the main plotline centers around one witness or another. There are, of course, arcs that run throughout the series, but the main story is one and done. I like shows like that, where we can immerse ourselves in someone’s world, and then be rid of them after an hour. And, I’ve learned, not all WITSEC witnesses are as black and white as being either criminals looking for a deal or innocent bystanders; there’s a lot involved in entering witness protection, and the characters who do are often colorful. Kudos to the writers for so skillfully writing for a revolving door of actors.

The first season ended with Mary in quite a pickle. She returned safely from her kidnapping, only to discover how deeply her sister Brandi was really involved with Mary’s drug-dealing kidnappers. Mary’s job, and possibly her freedom, are on the line, and her only way out is to let Brandi fry. Could she do it, or would she come to her sister’s rescue one more time? It was an interesting question to pose for a dedicated agent whose family had long been an afterthought, but the answer came with so little fanfare that I was still under the impression that it hadn’t fully been answered. The jury’s still out on that one.

Anyway, I had the chance to see what’s next for Mary a bit early, pre-screening the first two episodes of the second season. And if they represent what we can expect this year, it may be a rather long short season. To be fair, I enjoyed the episodes to the same extent that I enjoyed the majority of last season’s. But there were a number of disappointments, things that could grow extremely grating over the long haul.

First of all was the letdown. As I was watching the end of season one, I felt that the show was reaching its potential, finally arriving at a plateau of “great show.” But, it turns out that the season finale was more of a crescendo, a level that, once reached, was quickly receded from. Not only did the quality fall short; I also feel as if the drug case involving Mary’s sister was left up in the air. To be sure, there are threads being picked up from last year (Mary’s house is still a mess, there are still personal reverberations from Mary’s kidnapping), but the case of the enormous drug trafficking wasn’t addressed again until the last five minutes of the second episode. And it was over in the blink of an eye. How is this not still hanging over everyone’s heads?

I also couldn’t get comfortable with new Mary. It’s a cliche that going through a traumatic experience leaves a person changed. However, federal agents are trained extensively in any number of life-threatening situations. I don’t know if US Marshals go through kidnap prep like CIA agents do, but I have to imagine that Mary would be more prepared to be snatched than I would. And, I would assume that her reaction, as out of character as would be expected, would still be more in-line with her personality. It’s extremely difficult to determine what feels authentic, but, for me, Mary did not.

Also, typical for a headstrong cop, Mary resists both her mandated administrative leave and her psych evaluation. We’ve all seen this before, but never to such a high level of incredulity. Mary is not only resistant: she simply ignores everyone and goes about her business. And she gets away with it! I know that I’m only sounding negative, and remember that I did enjoy the episodes. I just think the show can do, and has done, better.

I sincerely enjoy the relationship that Mary has with her partner Marshall. He’s both submissive and a counterbalance to Mary’s abrasive nature. Thus far in season two he’s a court jester. Instead, Mary’s new sparring partners are Eleanor (Holly Maples) the new office administrator, and Shelley (Ali Marsh), department psychologist. While the latter needs to be more assertive in her job, the former is just a puzzle. The show has never spent time in the Marshal’s office; suddenly Mary’s “nemesis” will be another neurotic control freak, who rearranges desks? The show would have made a better move bringing in a third Marshal to carry the load and get in Mary’s face. That’s the kind of friction that would add to the plot.

We got a brief look at Mary’s boyfriend Raphael (de la Fuente), and I also happened to read the transcript of a recent interview that de la Fuente did. He’s a great guy, and a great actor, but I’ve always felt that Mary can only end up hurting him. Let them be friends, confidants, whatever. But as lovers they’re just a sad couple. Yes, plenty of great guys marry strong-willed women who regularly hurt them, either by mistrusting them, shutting them out, or whatever. But in this case, as believable as the scenario is, I just don’t want to see it. There’s nothing that the relationship adds to the show other than de la Fuente, and we can have him in other ways. Unfortunately, the interview led me to believe that he and Mary aren’t ending things any time soon. I just hope that one day, before it’s too late, Raphael wakes up.

Contrary to the general tone of my review, I really did enjoy the beginning of season two. I think the show, in general, has the potential for great things. I also get annoyed at plenty of plot-points on Psych and Burn Notice, but I’m a huge fan of both, and feel the same appreciation coming for In Plain Sight. I just feel that the season is taking its time warming up, a luxury that cable series don’t really have with their truncated seasons. It is possible, however, that when it gets there, it will explode (in a good way). In addition to Holly Maples, Joshua Malina (I liked his Will and McCormack’s Kate together on The West Wing) and Laura Prepon (That 70’s Show) join an already impressive cast. And guest stars for season two include Richard Schiff (The West Wing), Cynthia Watros (Lost), David Zayas (Dexter), David Denman (The Office), Clarke Peters (The Wire), Kevin Rankin (Friday Night Lights), Liza Weil (Gilmore Girls), and more (according to de la Fuente, at least ten big names will appear).

Season one of In Plain Sight took some time to get going; if the worst case scenario is that season two needs a few weeks as well, I’m willing to wait. This is a show that has yet to waste it’s promise; it just needs to do some light tinkering.

Clacked by Aryeh S.
on Apr 17, 2009 @ 16:15 EST5EDT