In Plain Sight

Reviewed by:
Robbie Throckmorton

The Skinny: Mary McCormack plays a tough, smartass U.S. Marshal who brings all those with enough stones to rat out others in court to their new life in Albuquerque, courtesy of the Federal Witness Protection Program. While her job is to protect her witnesses, she invariably ends up playing mother or shrink to keep them cool through the transition, breaking reams of rules to keep from getting killed.

The Good: McCormack is perfect. She's an unexpected mix of sharp-tongued sexiness and slap-your-manstick-with-a-bar-of-soap (see: the pilot) intensity. Of all the supporting characters, Mary's partner (Frederick Weller) works best, his awesome deadpan providing a foil for her often outrageous behavior.

The Bad: While it boasts a refreshing locale, at the end of the day In Plain Sight's still another cop show. Plus, Mary's life at home (a clueless alcoholic mother and bad seed baby sister) provides needless comic relief already delivered by McCormack's one-liners.

We've Got a Phoner: The highlight of the pilot episode features her calling a mobster and pretending to be in the middle of some lesbian loving (complete with audio re-enactment and a fake orgasm) in order to get his attention and to find out where he's staying. Eat your heart out, Meg Ryan.

Watch, Ignore, or Read a Book Instead? Give it a shot. There's no reason to watch Die Hard another 11 times this summer. (Nine, tops.)

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