A Televisual Feast

After the unbelievably wonderful third episode, the fourth–either thanks to the character development done in the third or just through dumb luck–continues the (short) greatness streak. The episode works so well for a few reasons, mostly because it finally gets Frank and Bayliss in to the car and talking, which (obviously) goes on to define the whole damn show. It also involves the closing of cases as Kay and Beau (who, by this point, has gone from resembling Alec Baldwin to being an integral part of the show) close one of Meldrick’s. It also shows the three of them sitting around and working together, which is a beautiful moment.

Frank and Bayliss working out though, the show finally getting Frank to a reasonable place (it’s amazing how much the subsequent addition of a wife changes the perception of him), is what’s most important. Because the show keeps the loitering of Meldrick, Crosetti and Munch and it doesn’t do much good… Meldrick hasn’t formed as a character yet (though I think I saw his hat for the first time) and–I’m probably clouded by the subsequent years Richard Belzer has put in–Munch is a bit confusing.

Bolander’s date offers Ned Beatty his most significant acting opportunities so far in the series and he does a great job… making Bolander almost the human center to the show so far, since he’s the one we get to watch develop.

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