In Plain Sight – Mary is her daddy’s girl

I won’t detail my sadness over In Plain Sight’s leaving. I already included that in my CliqueClack Flashback on Thursday. However, I will detail this season’s impressive writing. Rather than half-assing it, wasting time walking down memory lane, or delving into maudlin emotion, the writers continue with business as usual WHILE wrapping up Mary’s life. Although the show remains literally one episode away from closure, they maintained the same writing quality level I’ve come to expect.

I have a number of accolades to throw down this week. Bravo to John Cockrell who penned last week’s “Medal of Mary,” and who initially garnered my affection by writing “A Priest Walks Into a Bar.” Bravo to Mike Weiss who joined the writing staff in season four and penned this week’s episode. Bravo to David Maples for creating the series. Bravo to the season five producers. Although I questioned last season’s change, this season didn’t dilute the writing or the scenarios. Instead, they gave us a show like our heroine, hard, fast and strong. Although we could’ve enjoyed a longer season five (or even another season), bravo to USA for not outright canceling a show they never quite understood.

Also, bravo to the writing staff for not watering down jerkwad Agent O’Conner. When most shows revisit former asshats, they typically remake them into pseudo-good guys like Glee with Karofsky. However, O’Conner remains the same unrelenting dickhead from over four years ago. His office’s leak kills Mary’s brother and he blames HER. He compromises her WitSec protection detail and ignores any assistance she provides. THEN, he yells at her while she cradles her dying father in her arms. What the EFF type of asshole is he?! Like Mary, he’s hell-bent on justice. But, trying to get an exemplary WitSec inspector thrown into prison, because of her family, is beyond douchebag. And, if Mary actually did those items, considering it’s her family … could you blame her? Bravo to Will McCormack for playing such a thoroughly and believably vile character. And, bravo to the producers for not diluting his bitchery in any way.

Next, kudos to Lesley Ann Warren and Stephen Lang for their grocery store meeting. Lesley played the anguished horror at seeing her former lover, whose absence scarred her life, beautifully. Clearly, James still loves Jinx. But, unlike Mary, Jinx didn’t forgive. While I fear a relapse, I love how Jinx handled his request for a head start – “Just go.” Although those two look like they belong together (how hot are they?), James’ betrayal cut Jinx too deeply to deserve forgiveness. The only false moment occurred when Jinx asked Mary to handle her statement. Really? You can’t tell a bunch of cops what happened, and you want your daughter to do it for you? Really? Outside of that mild relapse (i.e. Jinx using Mary as a parent), I loved everything else.

Mary and her father are truly flipsides of each other. I remember watching a show which stated that cops and cons are pretty alike. To catch a con, a cop either has to think like him or already has a part of him that thinks like a con (but hasn’t turned, yet). Considering how frequently Mary’s father (and Mary) gave everyone the slip, that might be true. Also, considering James’ former criminal success parallels Mary’s current WitSec success, serves as double proof.

Now that they’ve almost wrapped up James Shannon’s mystery, the remaining issues surround the office, the office canning, and Marshall and Mary.

On those two, I don’t make any hopes or judgments. What if Marshall doesn’t love Mary, but Mary loves Marshall? Even when she pretends she’s absolutely independent, who does she call during every single significant (or insignificant) moment she encounters? Marshall. But is Marshall running to Mary all that significant? She’s alone and she has no friends. Of course, he has to go to her. Who else will she turn to? I’ve had male friends willing to assist me during familial crises, but they typically did it out of longstanding friendship. Although Marshall’s Dad (and Abigail) suspect Marshall’s true feelings, what if they aren’t his true feelings? What if they’re just emotions he follows out of habit? While Marshall gets Mary, Abigail truly gets Marshall. Would Mary ever make the same effort as Abigail?

I checked the advanced photos for the final episode, and they don’t give anything away. However, like everyone else, my fingers are crossed.

Final Question:
If James shot the guy who killed Scott, why did James return to a former colleague to say he couldn’t find him (especially if he covertly confessed to Mary, but not really)? Is Scott still alive? Did something happen in the apartment that we didn’t see?

Quotes:
“You get me.” –Marshall to Abigail

“I don’t have an anger problem. I have a dickhead problem.” – Mary (to Agent O’Conner)

“My God, you’re dumber than a box of hair.” –Mary (to Agent O’Conner)

“I’d say it’s nice to see you, but the nuns drilled me good on lies.” – Mary to her douchey witness

“Mary’s not with me. She’s yours. Always was.” –James Shannon to the feds

Clacked by An Nicholson
on Apr 29, 2012 @ 09:07 EST5EDT