A Televisual Feast

There’s something wrong with this episode. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but there’s definitely something off. Everything’s great and it’s all here. Frank and Bayliss are jabbering in the car, for goodness sake… the familiar “Homicide” has arrived (even though Meldrick is still a shell). So why don’t I feel better? Because it’s easy. Not just Bayliss and Frank–I mean, it’s totally out of character for Frank not to accuse Bayliss of racism just like he did Beau a few episodes ago… unless this is a new Frank. A friendlier Frank. I’m not complaining, I like the Bayliss and Frank car rides, but there’s a step missing. Frank went from untrusted and hated to the guy who really loves dogs.

Crosetti’s got the most to do, taking care of his recovering friend. Kay and Beau have a case (and Meldrick tags along) and it ends up being about Kay the woman (hostile to fellow female officer, silently upset Beau doesn’t lust for her). It’s all great stuff… but it’s pilot stuff. That’s what this episode–featuring a story for everyone (Stanley and Munch hang out with Stanley’s girlfriend’s wacko kid while Gee’s friend retires and the two go for drunken strolls down memory lane)–feels like. A new pilot. A friendlier do-over.

Except Crosetti maybe, even though the conclusion to his subplot is rather pat. But it’s somehow not cheap, maybe because the shot cop was established in the grittier preceding episodes. And the scene with Bayliss thinking about dogs and kids–wonderful.

But there’s something off. Kind of like Avalon almost.

3.5