‘IN PLAIN SIGHT,’ SEASON TWO (2009)
Following the traumatic events that land Mary (Mary McCormack) in a bad situation leaves her shaken. Unable to officially work until she’s cleared is making her go stir-crazy. Her sister (Nichole Hiltz) is also somehow in this mess that lands Mary kidnapped along with Brandi’s lover. Now, though Brandi is accused of stealing drugs, Mary refuses to help because of her career. Soon bigger issues crop up when she learns from her boss Stan (Paul Ben-Victor) that one of her witnesses is lying dead in her bedroom. Not a woman who likes to follow orders, Mary “tags along” with her partner Marshal (Frederick Weller). in plain sight season two
Even the presence of a new office administrator (Holly Maples) doesn’t damper Mary’s uncharacteristic attitude… until she learns that her witness may have been murdered, and then all bets are off.
If the first season of this show is too dull, round two is more so. Ironically that doesn’t mean the show is boring with exception to a few, most of the episodes are interesting. Some of the interesting dilemmas include a man having to choose whether or not to save his wife or unborn child (“Aguna Matatala”). There’s more than one passing reference to God which is more than we can say about the average cable show. Giving any praise to Him isn’t always positive, and there are multiple different religions; some of which seems to be written with care.
RELATED TV SHOW REVIEW | ‘IN PLAIN SIGHT,’ SEASON ONE (2008)
‘IN PLAIN SIGHT,’ SEASON TWO (2009) #TVarchives Share on XOther episodes that stand out include “Stand-Up Triple,” “Rubble with a Cause” and the finale which demonstrates unusual emotions. Likewise one episode features an equally touching phone conversation between Brandi and Marshal as regards an English paper she writes. One of the driving emotions this season is the transformation of the characters. Brandi becomes a better person through her ordeal, finding independence and making healthier relationships. Then Jinx admits to her problems, accepting treatment. Then there is Mary who is perhaps getting more difficult to like. She cannot accept failure in life while we glimpse the possibility that Marshal cares for Mary as more than a partner, and this is another point of contention for me.
When I like an on-screen couple together, there is nothing more that I want than to see them together but it’s also a cliché trap. Here Marshal and Mary are nothing but platonic partners who care deeply for the other; and Marshal is often the only person who can get through to Mary. Then, almost out of nowhere, there’s this epiphany that he wishes he could be with Mary. The ending is touching with the perfect song playing over the credits. There’s ample conflict this season including the return of the FBI agent out to convict Brandi of drug and murder charges while the arrival of a blonde-haired stranger (Laura Prepon) shakes Mary. I think at its worst, this show depicts its characters as too flawed. But then perhaps, at the end of the day, that is what makes In Plain Sight so compelling.
Content: Mary’s cases involve a mother who basically “sells” herself by succumbing to multiple flings with wealthy men though she is not a prostitute. Mary and Rafe continue their intimate relationship. One episode involves a lesbian witness [there is a same-sex kiss] and prior to that a clothed sex scene. [Some crude sexual references are also used.] There is some violence and tense moments – some victims are kidnapped. Abuses of deity are most of profane language though there is some swearing. In Plain Sight, season two is TV14.
