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Thursday, June 17th, 2010 11:54 pm
First of all, let me rec this show to my flist.

Why you want to be watching:

–A complex, abrasive, epically flawed, lead female character. (Mary Shannon is one of those roles that is so complex and difficult that it feels like someone wrote it for a man and then decided to cast a female because it would be more awesome that way).

–Hilarious dialogue. The lead actress read for the part because she laughed out loud reading the script, and it's no surprise.

–The writers. With rare exceptions, they do not do the predictable plot move. 

–Main characters verbalizing who their best friends are.

–Actual legitimate character growth. Mary and every member of Mary's family, including her long-term boyfriend (yes, think about that, a lead in a procedural with a long-term relationship and the complications therof) goes through stresses and challenges and makes choices with consequences.

How to get into this show:

Watch the second episode first. The pilot, while possessing the skeleton of the show In Plain Sight will become, is too long, sluggish in places, and introduces the two leads with a mumbling exchange that requires three viewings to understand. Go straight to "Hoosier Daddy" for a crisper, tighter show.


–Okay, so when Mary Met Marshall was one of my favorite episodes so far. It was pretty much exactly how I imagined their first meeting to have gone, and I think it's awesome that Marshall was the one to bring her into Witsec. I loved the scene at the end where they're rearranging their desks. (Plus, bangs! And brushing her teeth with bottled water! And snow!)

–As much fun as the Mary/Marshall pairing is to play around with in fandom, I am so thrilled with Raphael/Mary on the show. First, because OMG, two partners with UST is so done on tv these days. Secondly, watching Mary actually have to deal with a longterm relationship and growing and changing because of it is infinitely more interesting than endless will-they/won't they. That's one reason I love this show - the writer never does the trope everyone else is doing.

–On that subject, I am really impressed with the finale. The first season finale was all about the fall-out from Mary getting kidnapped and last half of the second season closer had Mary in the hospital.

Anyway, talk to me about the awesome! Tell me favorite episodes, favorite lines, writing choices you had problems with! Favorite weird facial expressions!
Thursday, June 24th, 2010 05:20 am (UTC)
Okay, I've watched that episode now!
Sunday, June 27th, 2010 09:18 pm (UTC)
I can't remember it precisely, but Marshall said something like, "It's one of your better qualities. That and your ability to shoot accurately while downing a Big Gulp."

Because that image? Hilarious. And so very Mary Shannon.
Monday, June 28th, 2010 12:27 am (UTC)
As soon as that line was spoken, I had a feeling it was the one you were referring too. Were you the person talking about how awesome it is that Mary loves food?