Last week, I posted an item about what I thought of TNT’s new police drama, “Saving Grace.” Despite the many flaws I saw (too many sterotypes, scattershot story development, etc.), I said I’d give it one more shot. So I did last night. And quite frankly, I’m done with it.
No disrespect to Holly Hunter, the accomplished actress who holds the title role. But this just isn’t very good TV. The opening scene — again, trying too hard to be Okie without being the least bit genuine — pretty much poisoned the pot. Two cops out deer hunting, dressed in jeans, cowboy boots and flannel shirts. Come on. Even the unitiated are going to know this is no way to bag a 10-point buck (cammo and deer stands, anyone?). From there, the show sprayed various plot elements in shotgun-blast style that left me and my wife wondering what was going on. And since when did Oklahoma City police head out into the oil patch to investigate crimes? With a deer tied down on the hood of their truck?
Maybe I’m being too harsh. But what about plot lines from real parts of the city? Bricktown? South side? Northeast? Asian District? Settings in these places will at least get us out of the oil fields and honky tonks and into the places where most of us actually live, work and play.
Perhaps George Lang, our assistant features editor and entertainment guru, was right. I’m from here, so my view of the show will be forever tainted by my knowledge of the city. I know from some posts we’ve had here, there are people who like the show. Others don’t. As for me, I’ll find something else to do at 9 p.m. on Mondays.
You want a good crime drama with a female lead? Tune in to TNT at 8 p.m. Mondays for “The Closer.” Looking to lose an hour of your life you’ll never get back? Keep watching “Saving Grace.”
Bob Doucette
Assistant City Editor
July 31st, 2007 at 3:30 pm
I think your mistake is to view it purely as a police drama. Really, they could have set it in any line of work, since the detective stuff isn’t what’s it about. (Earl the angel made it clear from the beginning that he wasn’t there to help her solve crimes.) Sure, it’s obviously not really Oklahoma City and it’d be hard to set it in real locales since they don’t film here. It was so obvious in the premiere that the shots of the memorial were done by a separate unit, since you never see Holly Hunter and the boy up close where they would have obviously been there. I for one though have found it quite entertaining and interesting. It’s a nice contrast with HBO’s “John From Cincinnati,” which covers more spiritual material, but in a much more vague and unfocused way. Perhaps if the show does well, they actually will film future episodes here, which would be great. I can understand people taking some offense, but as a nearly lifelong resident of OKC myself, it didn’t bother me (though some of the bad accents did). “Saving Grace” has shown the ability to surprise me, unlike the first episode of the new FX drama “Damages” with Glenn Close, where I saw every twist coming from about three miles away. I will give “Saving Grace” kudos for one note of Oklahoma accuracy: At least they correctly called it Arcadia Lake instead of Lake Arcadia, which a lot of people who actually live here constantly get wrong.
Scott Schuldt
July 31st, 2007 at 5:42 pm
I wish I could agree, but take all the Oklahoma stuff out and it’s just not very good. Between the crime, Earl, hunting, inter-office jealousies and the chief getting shot in the end, there were just too many elements that hadn’t been given enough time to cook. The result? A gooey mess. So my mistake wasn’t to treat it as a crime drama. My mistake was tuning in.
August 1st, 2007 at 12:35 pm
I disagree. I have enjoyed both episodes a great deal! Relax and watch the show witout trying to catagorize it! Yes, a police drama but with elements of comedy that pop up unexpectedly. I am enjoying a fresh idea in this new show, avoiding all the mindless reality trash that is out there. I welcome the change!
August 1st, 2007 at 1:26 pm
I’ll grant you that most of the reality stuff is cluttering up the airwaves, much to our detriment. But “Saving Grace” doesn’t do anything for me. Five hours of Shark Week is preferable to this.
August 1st, 2007 at 11:11 pm
1. It’s not a police drama.
2. It’s not about Oklahoma City
3. You don’t have to leave the city limits to be in the oil patch.
4. That deer was shot with a handgun, and, if I’m not mistaken, out of season: an unlikelihood linked to an illegality. On the other hand, I’ve done some night-riding with some police officers who, on a dull night, went out of the city limits to shoot at rabbits illuminated by their headlights. No, it wasn’t Oklahoma City, but I’ll bet you a dime something similar has happened here.