There have been fan rumblings about the general tone of this new season of Dark Blue. About how it’s no longer so much “dark blue” as it is “blue light” … or so I understand the complaints. But do I understand them?
Let me be clear: I wasn’t into last night’s episode. But that had nothing to do with a supposed change in show tone, or anything like that. No, it’s because last night’s story swung and missed, a malady that befalls every show once in a while.
First of all, the very undercover-ness of the story seemed lacking. Not that Carter as a porn king looking to get into the pharmaceutical business wasn’t as much a cover as anything else (what DVDs was he handing out?), but I’ve always enjoyed watching Dean and/or Ty going deep with the crew more than Carter coming in as another criminal mogul. By the way, what of that? Why’s Carter always the heavy? In last season’s finale we learned about some long-haul undercover gig he was once on, where I assume he was just another thug. Why’s he too big for that now?
Second, I continue to be disappointed with the very presence of Agent Rice (Tricia Helfer). Not only does she throw off the balance of the team, but the presence of the FBI also changes the filter through which we see things. Going to the Federal piggy bank for $500,000 is very different than the season one incident when the team digs up money from their personal stashes. The change makes their operation seem more mainstream … next thing you know they’ll be packing up and moving to Parker Center, the LAPD’s headquarters.
The fact that last night’s episode wasn’t top-shelf befalls every show here and there. Rick Gonzalez (Ben from Reaper) was kind of amusing as Manny the contact. If he wasn’t currently serving time I could see something blossoming between him and Jaimie … which would certainly serve us all better than Jaimie’s jealousy/concern over Dean’s inexplicable feelings for Maria (Jordana Brewster). It was really not cool of Dean to go to her father to stop the deal from taking place.
Not to say that it wasn’t also very not cool of daddy to have been willing to put his daughter’s life at risk to facilitate the deal. What would his end of that have been? Even at 10%, is that worth the life of your daughter?
I was wondering how Carter was going to prevent the undercover Federal agents from having to sleep with members of Garza’s cartel … I didn’t expect they’d do it as poorly as to have Ty bust in on the party to drag the girl back out. I was shocked he didn’t get shot in the head. That was a crazy dangerous move, and it didn’t make any sense.
Neither does Dean “leaving” town and saying goodbye to Maria. How does he substantiate that? What if they run into one another on the street next week? It might have made more sense just to end things with her.
Anyway, bad episodes come and go. As do bad cast additions. And Carter and Rice having a relationship is a terrible idea. But as for the show changing tone? Are you really telling me it’s not as gritty as it ever was?
Clacked by Aryeh S.
on Aug 12, 2010 @ 10:00 EST5EDT
have you ever lived in a big city? I’ve been in Phoenix for 6 years now
stupid phone, I hate when that happens.
Anyway, I’ve been in Phoenix for 6 years now & I’ve never ran in to some of the people I know here. I think it’d be pretty easy to not run in to Maria ever again, especially in LA
*POST AUTHOR*
True, which is why they move in and out of covers as they do. But, at the same time, is it worth the risk in their line of business?
I’ve moved from one big city to another, so know the sense of anonymity, but that’s only because I don’t personally know the people I pass on the street. For all I know I may have passed the same guy on my way to work every day for the last six years. If we knew one another, we would certainly notice.
*POST AUTHOR*
Yeah, I was thinking, “And?” … :)
A: I agree with how you feel about the episode. I feel uneasy whenever Rice is onscreen too. I Loved Manny and Dark Blue is pretty brillant about casting great actors as the week’s advisary/supporting actor. I’ve enjoyed each week’s choices.
What was going on with Ty not answering the team when they stormed the drug dealer’s house and shot the thugs?? I also didn’t like the showdown at Carter’s Porn Party..contrived. I really agree with you about the interference with the FBI..part of the drama was the team getting their own money..or drugs..or guns..or help from criminal elements. It’s all a little ‘clean’ now and the team seems like they are really underlings to Alex and the FBI..That’s ok..I LOVE the show!
*POST AUTHOR*
Hey, I’m with you. This was just a bad episode, not tremors in the foundation of the show. :)
I think Ty has got to be in line for some character development, and we’re seeing the seeds being planted (however that fits with the drug dealer’s house). No way would they just be letting his and Melissa’s marriage fall into the background. I think it will make sense as they begin to give his personal life more screen time.
LOVE the show and the four from last season, but I DO NOT LIKE the new girl. She does not have the depth of the other characters. She brings nothing to the show. I can understand the lead may need some outside interests but that could be done without adding another full time cast member. I don’t buy that he would partner with her or her team or have relationship with her.
*POST AUTHOR*
To get the pick-up, the producers would have had to agree to certain creative changes. I would guess that Rice represents a desire for more women on the show … that being said, she sucks!