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PICKING NITS WITH TV'S BEST SHOWS
April 22, 2005
Let's face it, even the very best shows on TV occasionally force us to grimace, scratch our heads, or roll our eyes. But we overlook these tiny flaws because that's what we're supposed to do with the ones we love. Our affection is undying despite the occasional awkward blemish.
However, this week, I'm tossing those rules of politeness aside. Each and every one of the below paragraphs focuses on a show I absolutely adore. On most weeks, they can do no wrong in my eyes. But, once in a blue moon, I find a nit to pick. Today, we're cataloguing the nits. So here they are - the oh-so-minor gripes I have with TV's most fabulous shows:
"Lost" -- I'll start out with an easy one, as I'm nowhere near the first person to give ABC's island drama a pass on its here-one-day, gone-the-next forest monster. Why is it that the characters in this show are only afraid of the castaway-chomping beastie when it plays a central role in that week's plot? If the monster is mentioned, a walk through the woods is a trip to be feared. However, if the monster doesn't come up in conversation over the course of that 60 minutes, everyone just gallivants through the woods like it's Saturday afternoon behind grandma's house. I realize most things on this show aren't supposed to make much sense at this point, but it wouldn't kill the writers to keep the monster threat level a bit more consistent.
"The Shield" -- My minor gripe with TV's best cop show extends all the way back to the show's original premiere episode, during which shady cop Vic Mackey shot a fellow detective who was secretly investigating Mackey's less-than-ethical behavior. At the time, the cold-blooded murder loudly announced the arrival of a risk-taking new series. But four seasons later, the character that Mackey has become doesn't seem the sort to kill a fellow officer, no matter what the circumstances. Mackey rarely plays by the book, but he ultimately does have a solid sense of right and wrong. And while the viewer can't forget Mackey's cruel act, it seems the characters on the show have. Currently, Vic and his team members are worried that ex-partner Shane will spill his guts on the season two Armenian money train robbery. Hello?! Shouldn't they also worry that Shane could squeal on Mackey's cop killing?
"24" -- You think I'm going to complain about the sheer preposterousness of this year's storyline, don't you? Well, forget it. Honestly, the more "24"'s ludicrous plots spin perilously out of control, the more I enjoy it. This is a show where you're supposed to turn off your brain and just go along for the ride. Still, I do have one season four nitpick. Where's this year's major plot twist, the one that has you gasping for air because you can't believe what you just saw? I'm talking something on the level of season two's big reveal of Marie Warner as the suburban terrorist or the double-agent-switcheroo pulled by CTU agent Gael in season three. I've been very entertained by "24" this year, but, so far, my mind hasn't been blown by that insane twist I never saw coming. I still have hope. (And remember "24" scribes - it doesn't have to make complete sense. It just has to be really friggin' cool.)
"Deadwood" -- HBO's gritty western is TV's best show, so it's awfully difficult to find something to complain about here. And yet I have one minor quibble. Have you noticed that the hooker-murdering Mr. Wolcott looks a lot like Jack McCall, the ruffian who killed Wild Bill Hickok last season? That's because both characters are played by the same actor. Having a well-liked supporting player return to a show in a different role is a time-honored TV tradition. (The various "Star Trek" shows used to do it all the time.) But it's a tradition I hate since using the same actor twice can snap you right out of the story. With "Deadwood," I'll overlook it since the actor (Garret Dillahunt) is good enough to make both roles distinct and McCall was written off the show a half season before Wolcott arrived in town. Still, there are lots of actors out looking for parts. Is it too difficult to find a new face for a new character?
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