Does ‘In Plain Sight’ Have USA’s Magic Dramedy Touch?
That is the question, isn’t it?
I had the chance to preview three episodes of USA’s newest dramedy, In Plain Sight, before the series debuts on television this Sunday at 10pm EST. The premiere episode will last an extended 76 minutes, with limited commercial interruption thanks to single sponsor Procter & Gamble.
In Plain Sight is notable because, like last year’s The Starter Wife, it revolves around a female character, namely Mary Shannon, played by West Wing, ER, and Murder One alum Mary McCormack. The tough law-enforcement agent is a New Mexico-based U.S. Marshal who works for WITSEC, better known to us non-government types as the Federal Witness Protection Program. On each episode, witty Mary and her bitingly wry partner Marshall Mann (Fred Weller, a cousin of RoboCop’s Peter Weller, in case you didn’t know) are put in charge of a new witness requiring top-notch protection to prolong their lives, and sometimes the lives of their immediate family, as well.
When she’s not busy at her demanding job — which is most of the time since she’s darn dedicated and good, alternatively steely and mothering when needed — Mary devotes a great deal of energy to putting up with her airhead mother Jinx (Lesley Ann Warren of Desperate Housewives) and bad-news sister Brandi (The Riches’ Nichole Hiltz). What’s left after that goes to fending off a serious relationship with her earnest casual boyfriend Rafael Ramirez (Dancing with the Stars runner-up Cristián de la Fuente), who predictably wants much more out of their mostly sexual relationship.
The biggest issue I have with In Plain Sight thus far is that it doesn’t contain enough humor or action, especially in comparison to its male-helmed predecessors. You know those pangs of excitement you get when you watch Burn Notice, USA’s deserving breakout hit from last summer, or the fits of laughter — or eye rolls — you can’t suppress when you watch the silly shenanigans of Monk and Psych’s leads? If only there was more of one or both when you watch In Plain Sight.
As it stands now, In Plain Sight happens to be USA’s least funny dramedy. That’s not to say there aren’t any humorous moments, however, because the show does have its fun and funny spots, just not enough of them for my tastes. Therefore, unless something changes for the better as the first season progresses, In Plain Sight will be one of those shows I watch while continually hoping for improvement instead of relishing every moment.
I will be tuning in every week, though, since most of the cast is likable enough (the lead character’s mother and sister are completely dispensable) and this could just be a case of the show needing a little time to hit its stride. So, I’ll wait patiently to see what happens.
Related Stories
POSTED IN: In Plain Sight, Reviews
0 opinions for Does ‘In Plain Sight’ Have USA’s Magic Dramedy Touch?
No one has left a comment yet. You know what this means, right? You could be first!
Have an opinion? Leave a comment: