By LillyKat
PTR Staff Writer
So, I guess there is some truth to the old saying: “Third time’s a charm.”
After two weeks of wondering why I should continue to watch Saving Grace, last night’s episode finally had some substance for me. Now, I preface this by saying I’m not totally loving this show like I do The Closer or Damages (which will be coming to PTR this week). But, I could at least watch this episode without a) rolling my eyes; b) being completely repulsed.
This, by most counts, was a toned down ep – only one romp around the bedroom with married partner Ham, yet without the romp roadmap, and just a quick glimpse of … well, another HHWM: Holly Hunter Wardrobe Malfunction (thanks to RichE over at Look Again for coining that phrase).
No, this one actually had Grace taking care of her nephew for a good portion of the ep, serving as the well experienced aunt helping him to get up the courage to go to his first kissing party, all the while trying to solve the murder of a guy found in a sleazy motel.
Esther the maid is suspected at first. Turns out she’s innocent, but not before she claims sanctuary inside – GASP – a church.
There was some serious irony in having Grace going in/out of the church to talk to Esther – which Grace accomplished both legally and illegally
Breaking and entering anyone?
Apparently, violating one’s declared right to sanctuary inside a church is a bit of a political no-no.
But of course, Grace is above the political games. Or so she thinks.
Enter new the new Captain. Captain Kate Perry (played by Lorraine Toussaint … we remember Lieutenant Yukon was killed last week).
Seems she and Grace go way back – to Vice. Best buds, apparently. And it would seem Grace’s reputation continues to precede her (Perry: “Who are the [jerks] and who are you screwing?”)
I’ve always liked Lorraine Toussaint. She’s one of those great character actors that you might not know precisely by name, but you recognize her instantly. She brings a strong presence to the immediate scene. This is a welcome addition to the show.
Anyhoooo, the friendly-go-way-back-on-the-job chemistry she has with Grace is good. Real. Something interesting to watch. It also potentially offers us someone else who is going to hold Grace accountable. Or at least try. (She does seem to let Grace get away with … well, being Grace. We’ll see if this offers up any potential conflict of interest and/or tests their relationship. On the surface, it seems very strong.)
And then there were our EMs: Earl Moments.
He finally loses his temper with Grace.
Feeling bad, he goes to confession.
To Grace’s Catholic priest brother, Jerry.
It’s bad enough that Esther is holed up inside the church, but Jerry runs through this episode as another constant reminder to Grace of all the reasons why she does indeed have no belief in God or the Church.
Then again, he doesn’t believe in Angel Earl, either.
Kind of ironic.
All in all, I can say I did like this episode. The case was a little boring, but the fact it centered around the supposed suspect taking refuge inside a church was clever. The introduction of Captain Perry was also a big plus as former Lieutenant Yukon was … well, a bit of curmudgeon.
And to close it all out … there was just a hint – tiny and subtle – that maybe, just maybe, Grace is starting to believe in Earl.
As in, they might actually get along one of these days.
New episodes air Mondays at 10 p.m. on TNT.
3 comments:
I agree this was the best episode to date.
In the first two it was hard to find any reason to root for Grace.
And I do like the new captain.
I know Grace can't become stable or there would be no show, but I would like her to seem less like someone who is a danger to society and herself. This episode was a good beginning.
This episode has given me incentive to watch on. Although I like Lorraine Toussaint's character, I do find these two characters an unlikely friendship pairing. The fact that they go way back was quite a surprise for me. Grace's confession scene was hysterical!! It's scenes like that one that keep me tuning in.
This was a much better outing from this show. Like you said, toned down. I think that's what this series needs to do: tone it down. LOVED Grace's confession. Still not a fan of the "EMs" (is it just a coincidence that writing EMs instantly makes me think of BMs???). ;-)
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