reviewed by Rissi C.
     

After having been led into a blind meeting of sorts, burned ex-spy, Michael Weston (Jeffery Donovan) is out to obtain his answers… and maybe just a little bit of revenge. Upon his controlled arrival to a remote site, Michael discovers the only reason a mysterious woman on the other end of the line calls is to recruit him for a job. She’s led him to a secluded location under the pretense of meeting and answering questions only to land him in a ruble of an exploding plane, dead bodies and a frightened computer tech, Jimmy (Patrick Fischler), who becomes his latest client. Realizing his “good-byes” of a mere few hours ago were unnecessary, Michael returns to Miami to find friend, Sam (Bruce Campbell) – the man who used to inform on him -- laying low at his place after some girlfriend troubles, and on-again, off-again girlfriend Fiona (Gabrielle Anwar) furious at his cavalier return, when she thought their parting possibly meant forever.

Still, Michael’s got bigger problems in dealing with his latest job -- primarily getting his client’s family back safely. And dealing with his mother (Sharon Gless) who hasn’t slept a “wink” since Michael forced her out of town for fear of her safety… all the while contending with the personal histories his mother wishes to bring into the open now that he is no longer a spy. When uncovering more information than is prudent, Michael discovers his new “handlers,” led by a savvy female Michael knows only as “Carla” (Tricia Helfer) -- a.k.a the person responsible for making his life miserable -- are not in the mood to mess around. Either he abides by their rules or those closest to him die.

USA is a hugely popular cable network that doesn’t think twice about airing something so long as it has the potential to bring in profitable ratings, so it surprised me that I liked this series so well. And that is likely an understatement. Remembering a TV promo spot for this that really didn’t tell me anything, I was surprised for a variety of reasons. After the conclusion to the premiere season, I couldn’t get my hands on the second quick enough and what I’ve come away with are some definitive changes that don’t hinder the show but didn’t “improve” any on the first either, making them neither here nor there. One of those being that the gang not using as many ingenious gadgets to help along their cause – instead it’s more a side business scattered about within the sixteen episodes. Also the whole scope of the series isn’t as “carefree” as before.

There is a definite edge to this follow-up season. The dialogue is still ripe with wit and comical quips but several of the episodes end on a serious note, making us realize just how fragile Michael’s position is -– he really has little to no leverage. Despite his caviler attitude, bravado and sometimes reckless behavior when it comes to his safety, there is nothing he wouldn’t do for family, which is represented in several touching moments. The episodic arcs are definitely more prevalent; where season one just had you coming back for the characters and humor, this time, we return hoping another clue will fall into place. Each case is somehow different, too. Although it’s not something I can immediately put my finger on, there was an updated pattern of sorts in that the cases were solved differently. One obvious change is the tactic in which Michael helps people –- instead of a normal “intimidating” approach, cons are carefully laid out as the way to make the clients' problems dissolve. Periodically it is revealed not all the “clients” are always on the up and up.

An ingenious aspect is the character personas Michael, Sam and occasionally Fiona easily slip into –- one of Michael’s best examples is in “Rough Seas,” and as a team effort in “Hot Spot.” That episode also features a sweet, most touching instance that reveals Michael’s feelings for Fiona; it’s not so much a “passionate” emotion but the heart-rending realization that Fiona was nearly taken from him. Their relationship is one of the best on the show; even though many will find it based solely on physical attraction by looking “deeper,” this season definitely examines other emotions of their trying romance. One thing I do not always appreciate is the concept that each of Michael’s relationship problems are always “his” fault; they like to lay the blame on him when it isn’t always “just” his fault. He’s the hero for goodness sake -- give the guy a break! In retrospect the emotional parts of the show are a great part of its appeal; it hasn’t been afraid to incorporate emotional turmoil, something Michael has a lot of in his background.

Even among all the laughs, the dialogue quickly takes center stage as being the main offender of any negative vibes; something uncomplimentary is always coming from Fi’s lips and their escapades often rely on her looks to get them something. She isn’t afraid of flaunting her body, wearing suggestive clothing without a bra. Implications let audiences know she does anything from enticing an older man for a liaison in an alleyway (as a decoy) to dressing to whatever advantage as a means of distraction. There are mild flirtations between boyfriends and girlfriends (including veiled sexual references); one couple share a couple of tender kisses and one implication is that she spent the night (nothing is shown). Numerous shots show women in beachwear, along with a fair amount of men ogling them.  As before, characters being beaten up in hand-to-hand combat is the main violet offender. Some are shot (implied, but carefully filmed; including one instance where a man basically commits suicide to help exonerate another man; a woman is also shot); another man nearly commits suicide. Elsewhere are explosions and far off shots of firefights. There are a few strong abuses of deity and scattered profanities; a bodyguards’ “name” is jack a**, elsewhere, people utter a**; characters drink alcohol like its going out of style. All in all, this show remains relatively clean, given its potential for more “adult” material.

The bottom line is that season two is just as fabulous as its predecessor. While not all of them are well-known, the guest stars are fabulous, including Clarence Williams III and Tim Matheson. The finale is completed in certain regards, in that it ends one part of Michael’s life (although in this genre never say “never”) while still managing to leave its audience curious -- even after the adrenaline rush we just came off of.