I’m glad several comments praised the excellent supporting cast. You’ve read my comments about GW Bailey and his hilarious work in “Dial M”. Tony Denison has been a personal favorite since his memorable pinch-hitting role on Wiseguy. JK Simmons is a very credible top cop, and I also enjoyed his work on Law & Order. Michael Paul Chan supplies depth and texture that raises his Asian techie far above the stereotype. Raymond Cruz as Sanchez got to show off his acting chops in several episodes of season four. Corey Reynolds makes Gabriel very likeable. And let’s not forget to credit the fine work of Robert Gossett as the highly political Commander Taylor, the kind of tough in-fighter you find in the higher ranks of the public sector everywhere.
Phyllis – I’m glad you mentioned the lead-out, Raising the Bar. Last year the show was just too liberal for me. But they began this year with a haircut for the lead public defender Kellerman. It had been too painful to watch Mark-Paul Gosselaar in that role, because I liked him so much on the right side as Andy Sipowicz’ final partner on NYPD Blue. Re-visiting the show this year, I find Kellerman less annoying and sometimes facing the consequences of his liberal arrogance. There are episodes spotlighting a conviction-minded prosecutor’s office, including J. August Richards and NYPD Blue grad Currie Graham. There’s a balance of viewpoints, more or less, much more than you ever got in the Kelley shows or the later years of Law & Order. And best of all, the Bochco production style is still intact. With so many shows amping up the musical score other gimmickry over the last decade, Steven is still strong on the fundamentals: great writing, intelligent adult casting, and production values in support of strong characterization and writing, rather than covering up for their absence.
