In Plain Sight Drama on USA Cable Network
Storyline Feature Witness Protection Program in Albuquerque. NM
Aug 7, 2008
In Plain Sight has been picked up for a second season by Cable's USA Network. USA's newest original scripted series has been given a 16 episode order and will start production in October. In Plain Sight is a dramatic series about an intense female federal Marshal and the witness protection program in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The original series stars Mary McCormick. In Plain Sight is shot on location in Albuquerque.
In Plain Sight has been a tremendous rating success for USA. According to the USA Network website, the show has averaged 22 million viewers over the first seven week period. The series has been airing in the 10:00 to 11:00 pm time slot on Sunday nights. Reruns air during the week.
Witness Protection Program
The series brings in a new drama every week, as new witnesses are entered into Federal witness protection program and placed in Albuquerque. Characters are uprooted from their lives because they have witnessed a crime or have committed a crime. Every episode is kicked off with the crime, which explains why someone wants the witnesses dead. The witnesses have essential information that can send dangerous criminals to prison or death row.
Mary is the U.S. Marshall who introduces witnesses placed in Albuquerque to the witness protection program. Witnesses must leave everything and everyone behind, assuming a new identity to save their own existance.
Storyline
The cast of regular characters, include Mary and her boyfriend mother, sister and coworkers. Regular characters have a continuing storyline that expands from week to week. Mary has a romance that she has trouble committing to. Mary's ditzy mother and sister have moved in with her, complicating her life immensely.
In Plain Sight throws in gratuitous sex scenes and bits of silly humor that often detract from the storyline. It seems the producers are not confident the series can survive as a straight drama, or they have not quite decided what direction to take the series in.
Still, In Plain Sight is a likeable series with a unique slant on the crime drama genre. There are two more episodes to air this season. New episodes will air starting in October. It will be interesting to watch the characters grow.
In Plain Sight Main Characters
- Mary Shannon is the U.S. Marshall played by Mary McCormack. Mary Shannon is tough, sexy, smart and dead serious. The secretive nature of her work makes it necessary to keep the nature of her career secret, even from her loopy mother and her younger sister. Mary comes from a dysfunctional family. Her mother and sister come across as so irresponsible that it is hard to believe that they are related. Mary McCormack has most recently been seen as a series regular on NBC's "The West Wing"" and as a recurring character on "ER."
- Marshall Mann, played by Frederick Weller, is Mary's partner in the witness protection program. There are hints that Marshall has romantic feelings for Mary. Frederick Weller has made several television appearances, including "Missing Persons," :The Beach Boys" and "Aftershock."
- Raphael Ramirez, played by Cristian de la Fuente, is Mary's hunky boyfriend. The off and on romance is not helped by the attraction that Mary's younger sister has for Raphael. Cristian de la Fuente has had a recurring role on Lifetime's "Side Order of Life" and on ABC's "Ugly Betty."
- Stan McQueen, played by Paul Ven Victor, is Mary's boss. The Chief Inspector has a paternal fondness for Mary, even though she challenges his authority constantly.
- Jinx Shannon, played by Lesley Ann Warren, is Mary's mom. Jinx is a hard drinking party animal with no visible means of support. She has moved in with Mary indefinitely. Hopefully the character will be given more depth in in the future. Lesly Ann Warren gained fame on the small screen as "Cinderella" in the original television version of the classic by Rogers and Hammerstein. Warren has appeared in many television and movie roles.
- Brandi Shannon, played by Nichole Hiltz, is Mary's irritating younger sister. The baby of the family, Brandi has moved in with Mary along with Mom. Brandi is a selfish spoiled brat, happy to spend the days lounging around the swimming pool with her mom. Brandi has been hauling around a suitcase of crystal meth from her drug dealer boyfriend. Mary's boyfriend needs help with transportation to physical therapy and Brandi has been assigned that role by Mary. Brandi has been throwing herself at Raphael, who is resisting so far. Mary's sister is nothing but trouble.
Although "In Plain Sight" has has awkard moments, it manages to be entertaining but not too involving for the viewer. There are characters who are so unlikeable and irritating that it is difficult to care what happens to them. Hopefully the characters will become more plausible as they are developed.
In Plain Sight will return with new episodes in the summer of 2009.
In Plain Sight Season One Finale Summary
