T E L E V I S I O N / Suspects 105

"Sometimes people deserve another look." Usually if I feel a bit unsure about a show after 2 or 3 episodes in, I quit it. Especially if nothing is really keeping me from staying. I would have done the same for Suspects if it wasn’t for Damien Molony’s slight aversion it seems to television series performances (I see him being announced in like 10+ theatre shows than television ones). The premise of the show was interesting—improv procedural. It certainly felt natural; sometimes I even forget it’s not scripted. But, nothing was completely eye-catching about the show. In the first 3 episodes, most of the suspects remained relatively predictable, and easy to figure out about 2 or 3 interrogations. Episode 4, however, was suddenly Suspects finding its firm footing. It was suspenseful and gripping. I honestly couldn’t figure out who the killer was until the end when the detectives themselves began to realize it! Episode 5 also followed this good upward trend, but it also highlighted another problem that doesn't seem like it’ll be fixed, especially since there are only 2 episodes left. Like episode 4, this one also featured a bit of a twist on who the real murderer is. I enjoy this because it not only builds the suspense, but keeps me intrigued to continue following the dialogue—rather than focusing my attention on Damien’s lovely face and hair. These sort of twists keeps up the pace, moves the plot along without being tiring and it, in a strange way, fleshes out more of the characters both the guest characters and the main characters. For me, I was unsure of who the real perp was. Was it Max? Was it Jason? Was it Carrie? I honestly let the detectives do the work because I was completely clueless. But just as I didn’t fully know, neither did Charlie, Jack or Martha and they have to go back to the victim (Anna) and ask her. It’s through this return to the victim that we learn more about her and her father in small gestures and scenes. We see, despite their strained relationship, that they do really care for each other. Anna’s sense of security in Shaun shows the extent of love that they have for one another. It’s also through this uncertainty that heightens the personalities and relationships between the main characters—Jack, Martha, and Charlie. That outburst between Jack and Martha reveals Jack as a rash detective, very gut instinct kind of guy. Charlie on the other hand steps back to get facts and truths before doing anything, yet she’s always questioning. Martha is surrounded by pressures to remain and act under protocol, but she still has this strive for justice above all (i.e. her little chat with Shaun after they pumped him to get his okay on testing Anna). However, where this characterization bloomed, the relationship between them—outside of the plot of finding the murderer—always seems to fall short. We get small scenes of them on the rooftop or in the hallway or in the car where they step out of these roles of detective and it seems to be the writer’s attempt to show how close these people are to one another, but it still seems very professional and distanced. We’re supposed to believe that these people who have worked several years together on the force don’t develop a sort of friendship? They try to drop small and subtle hints that they are, but their interactions speak otherwise. I just want them outside at a pub or each other’s house just hanging out. I understand the premise of the show is about finding the real suspect and finding the truth, but surely we can step back from it and enjoy and appreciate the detectives outside of their work. With the announcement of the renewal for not just a second but a third (!!!) series, I’m hoping some these issues will be resolved and we get to see an added dimension to the characters. Ratings: ★★★☆☆ S U S P E C T S » Wednesdays, 10 PM → Channel 5