Rizzoli & Isles: the 2nd Season finale

"Burning Down the House" (S2Ep15) was the final episode of the second season of 'Rizzoli & Isles'. More often than not, 'R&I' is a light-hearted mystery romp. Sure, there have been occasional dark episodes, like this year's "Brown Eyed Girl", but those episodes have always been an oddity. Tonight's episode added one more to the collection.

The episode featured some regular guest starts; Jacqueline Bisset reprieved her role as Maura's mother, and Agent Dean (Billy Burke) returned as a love interest for Jane. 

"Burning Down the House" had an uneven tone. The episode tried to keep some of it's usual bantering humor, while dealing with extremely serious themes. This was problematic to say the least. The multiple storylines didn't help with the flow much either.

One side-story dealt with Jane and Agent Dean's romance and, I have to say, they really don't have great chemistry. Also, I'm sure there were plenty of moments that pleased Maura/Jane shippers (every time Jane and Dean had a second alone Jane cut it short to rush off and see Maura).

Another storyline briefly examined Maura's budding relationship with her mother. It seemed as though they were finally on their way to a true mother-daughter reconciliation (and just how true was brought to light at the end of the episode). Unfortunately, this was cut short because Maura's mother was seriously injured in a hit and run incident where Maura was the actual target.

And on to side-story number three: Maura was the target of said hit and run because of the arson fire/ mysterious firefighter death scenario that she was investigating. Because apparently Medical Examiners are really good at arson work, and know the inner workings of a space heater. Who knew?

Opps, I almost forgot side-story number four: Maura's biological father, Patty Doyle, who also happens to be a mobster, turned up in her mother's hospital room. He promised to protect Maura, and to tell her who her biological mother was, but instead they fought and he left.

Side-story number five: Except he didn't really leave, because when Maura gets back from seeing Jane she finds her biological father at her adoptive mother's bedside. Ostensibly because he is protecting her. But right after he leaves (for real this time) her mother wakes up and says that someone was telling her to hold on "for her daughter", and then asks Maura, "was it Patrick?". Which leads us to the first question that doesn't get answered (there have to be some, this is a finale!): is Maura's adoptive mother actually her biological mother? Did she have an affair with a mobster? And how will this impact the 'true' part of their mother-daughter reconciliation?

At the end of the episode, the detectives decide to set a trap to figure out which firefighter set the arson fire, and murdered his colleague. Maura makes a big fuss in front of the firefighters about collecting data at the burnt building. She's followed by the guilty firefighter, but luckily she is wire-tapped, and has numerous people backing her up...including Frost, Korsak, Jane, Agent Dean, and (unknown to everyone involved) her biological father. It's lucky that Patty Doyle is there, because the law enforcement would have been too late, the firefighter almost shots Maura, but Doyle takes him out just in time. Of course, this means that when the police do enter the room they're faced by a wanted mobster holding a gun. Someone fires at him, and he fires back. He refuses to put the gun down. He gets shot in the shoulder (definitely not a fatal wound), but then fires again and Jane steps up and shoots him in the chest. He falls backwards, potentially fatally wounded. Jane seems shocks at what she has done, but Maura responds instantly, rushing to her father's aid. Jane finally reacts and runs over, yelling Maura's name. She tries to bunch up a coat as a pillow for Patty's head, but Maura swats her away. The look that Maura and Jane exchange shows that Maura is deeply hurt by the fact that her best friend shot her father. And then the credits roll.

So, the questions for next season:
1. Does Patty Doyle survive? this one could go either way
2. Does Maura's mother survive? i think probably yes
3. Is Maura's adoptive mother really her biological mother? i'm guessing yes
4. Will Agent Dean stick around? please no, if there has to be a guy I'd prefer the far-away one who's in Afghanistan, anyone closer ruins the chemistry that Maura and Jane have (regardless of how you choose to interpret that chemistry)
4. How long will it take Maura to forgive Jane? not too long (they won't want to alienate viewers)

Dean: Maybe I'll be gone in Season 3. Or at least I'll get a hair cut.

What do you think?

'Rizzoli and Isles', Lesbian Subtext, and TNT Ratings

 'Rizzoli and Isles' (airing Monday nights 10/9C on TNT) is full of lesbian subtext. There's no way around it, you watch an episode and it's just there. I watched a single episode with my mother, with no conversations about what the show entailed ahead of time, and by the time we were halfway through she had already asked me if Jane and Maura were together.

And the answer is no, no they're not. And they probably never will be. The characters are both straight women--Janet Tamaro (the creater) has said this, Sasha Alexander and Angie Harmon have said this, and Tess Gerritsen (who wrote the books upon which the characters are based) has said this. But, despite the fact that the characters are (apparently, definitively, 100%)  straight, the show is full of lesbian subtext. And some of it is so obvious it's maintext (if you don't believe me watch the most recent episode, "Seventeen Ain't So Sweet"-S2Ep14).

There is no way that all of that is accidental; everyone involved with the show knows about its large lesbian following. Janet Tamaro has commented on it in interviews, and Sasha Alexander acknowledged the Lesbian 'Rizzoli and Isles' Drinking Game on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live' (see the clip below).  I imagine that in the writers room they have fun throwing in situations where Maura and Jane could be construed as being a couple, and I imagine Sasha Alexander and Angie Harmon occasionally throw a few meaningful glances in amongst their acting for the same reason.

After all, lets be honest, if they show wasn't acquiring a lesbian following it wouldn't be doing half as well. It's just not that good. The writing isn't any more brilliant than half a dozen other crime shows on the air right now (and no where near as good as 'Castle' or 'Bones'), but it has something those shows don't have. Two incredibly attractive female leads. My guess is that at the very least the executives at TNT try to continue to appeal to their lesbian following--the infamous speed dating promo suggests that's the case.

And if TNT wasn't aware of the true importance of their lesbian viewers before this week's episode, maybe they will be now.  Neither #RizzoliandIsles nor #RandI trended during the most recent episode, but you know what did trend? #gayzzoli. Hopefully TNT, and 'Rizzoli and Isles', will take a hint and keep up the subtext.

Sasha Alexander talks about how gay her show is, plus the drinking game:
TNT's speed dating promo:

I found the great screen shot at RizzleGirls

"Rizzoli & Isles"--Brown Eyed Girl

"She was asphyxiated by the application of a slow constant pressure to her trachea"-Isles

This week's episode of 'Rizzoli & Isles' was a lot less lighthearted than usual. It involved the kidnapped daughter of Jane's old partner. There were even open references to Jaycee Dugard and Elizabeth Smart. Compared to last week's episode full of punch lines this one was very, very dark. Plus, Isles talking to a dead girl as she lies on her slab? Just a little creepy.

In other words, there were lots of quotes, but not a lot of quips.

Serious problems I had with this episode:

1. Why would you not have the little brother who saw the kidnappers sit down with a sketch artist?

2. Also, Jane showing the kid a single photo of the suspected kidnapper and asking him if he recognized her was totally bogus police work. At the very least she should have shown him a collection of different photos and let him pick one.

3. Finally, Jane works in the Boston Homicide department. Yes, the discovery of Sophie's body should have come to them, and yes they should have been working that case. But only after her body was discovered. Not while it was a kidnapping.

Quotes & Quips 'Rizzoli & Isles' Season 2 Episode 2

'Rizzoli & Isles', Season 2 Episode 2, "Living Proof" Top Quotes and Quips

Top Islesism
"The stomach is like someone's grocery bag, so revealing, it's my favorite part" grins--Isles

Top Gay Moment
"I wanted a bunk bed, but you gave me a pink canopy bed instead...I wanted a bunk bed to build forts...Ma, I don't like pink!"-Rizzoli

Top "Wait a minute, is this 'Bones'?"
"No, no, she had quite robust reproductive organs."-Isles
"Do you find that sexy in a woman...robust reproductive organs?"-Rizzoli to Detective Barry

Top Straight Moment
"Look at his shoulder to hip ratio...lengthy metatarsals...you know what that means!!"-Isles

Top "You're like my girlfriend!"
"What's this?!" sounds slightly disgusted
Isles then picks up a small painting at the Rizzoli family yard sale. Rizzoli stands beside her mother frantically signaling to Isles. Isles gets the hint.
"...Because, it's beautiful. What are you asking?"-Isles
"I was going to ask for 5."-Mama Rizzoli
"Hundred? It's priceless."-Isles
Isles then opens her wallet to get $500!

Top "Huh, this show's basically 'Bones'...lets have a cute convo between our two lead actors"
"You're not very good at sales."-Isles
"What? That's a $300 stroller."-Rizzoli
"...$1,499"-Isles
"And how do you know that? Maura, been looking for baby stuff?"-Rizzoli
"No, I was online stopping and the baby store was just a click away..."-Isles
"Well stop it, you don't have a baby."-Rizzoli
"Yet."-Isles

"I've always seen you as the maternal type"-Isles
"Are you lying?" looks shocked-Rizzoli
Pause
"Yes" grinning-Isles
"I hope you get hives."-Rizzoli
...
"Be quiet, I'm trying to enjoy my dirt bath...shhhh"-Rizzoli
"Did you just shhh me?!"-Isles
Isles throws dirt at Rizzoli
"Maura stop it"-Rizzoli
She keeps throwing
"Stop it!

...Maura!"-Rizzoli

End of episode

'Rizzoli & Isles' Season 2 Episode 2 New Tonight!

'Rizzoli & Isles' Season 2 Episode 2-- "Living Proof"

see the promo video below

There's a new episode of 'Rizzoli & Isles' starting in about 30 minutes!

In this week's episode we get to see Rizzoli and Isles spending some quality time together at the spa. I wish quality time was code for something else, but it's not. They're just having some friend bonding time.

Which is only slightly ruined by the discovery of a dead body. Although perhaps ruined is the wrong word, since without dead bodies Rizzoli and Isles wouldn't have jobs...ponder that for a moment.

Regardless, a dead woman features in this episode. She's a pregnant surrogate mother. Something tells me this is going to be a complicated one.

Are you watching 'Rizzoli & Isles' tonight? What do you think of the episode?

'Bones' and 'Rizzoli & Isles'--striking similarities

Back in March I talked about how 'Bones' and 'Rizzoli & Isles' are in many ways the same show. Now that I've seen the first episode of 'Rizzoli & Isles'' 2nd season (reviewed here) that belief is only solidified.
Once again, here's why...
'Bones' and 'Rizzoli & Isles' are the same show
(read my original, longer blog post on the topic here):

*Booth (L) and Rizzoli (R) both investigate homicides. And they're both way more about the action than about the hard science. Plus they both have partners who are all about the science. And who aren't as good at reading social cues as they are. Oh, and they both know their way around a gun.

*Dr. Maura Isles (L) and Dr. Temperance Brennan (R) are both attractive women who use their medical/forensic backgrounds to investigate homicides. They are both socially awkward and tend to take things way too literally. And they are both shown working with a particular homicide investigator (see above).

*Oh, plus Brennan was a foster child and her biological father is an ex-con/murderer, while Isles was adopted as a child and her biological father's a mobster/hitman.

*And they all go by their last names most of the time.

*Their relationships with each other are the heart of the show. Audiences want Booth and Brennan to end up together. And many viewers see an attraction between Rizzoli and Isles as well. In fact in the episode "I Kissed a Girl" the producers played with this idea, pleasing many fans by having Rizzoli and Isles mimic a lesbian relationship.

* Both shows are watchable largely because of the strong relationships between their main characters. While producers insist that Rizzoli and Isles are both heterosexual it doesn't deny the fact that if they didn't have quipping banter the show wouldn't be as enjoyable. Same goes for 'Bones'.

*Oh, and let's not get distracted by the fact that the cases are a bit too similar. In the first season of 'Rizzoli & Isles' and 'Bones' our main characters were dealing with a masochistic serial killer who loved to torment the professionals (and who focused in particular on Isles and Brennan).

*The same woman, Janet Tamaro, is involved in both shows. She's an executive producer for 'Rizzoli & Isles', was a supervising producer on 'Bones', and has written episodes for both shows.

*Finally, they are both based on best-selling crime novels. And both of them borrow little from these books, choosing instead to infuse far more comedy than is on the written page.

If you love 'Bones' you'll probably like 'Rizzoli & Isles', while the show is clearly still in its infancy, and could definitely be made stronger (more interesting mysteries!) it echoes the first season of 'Bones'. And we all know how well that show turned out...

Rizzoli & Isles Season 2 Premiere

When is the Rizzoli & Isles Season 2 Premiere?

Tonight!

At 10 pm on TNT.

I'll be watching it, will you?

Check back tomorrow for my analysis.

Janet Tamaro, "Rizzoli & Isles", "Bones" (how did I miss this?)

You may have never heard of her, but I've decided that this post is going to be about Janet Tamaro:


I am in awe of Janet Tamaro. Basically I want to be her when I grow up.

Not only has she won a bunch of journalism awards, and reported national news stories, but she has written for a bunch of different series ("Bones", "Law and Order: SVU", "CSI: NY" etc.).

She has also been a producer for both "Bones" and "Rizzoli & Isles".

The only negative thing (if you can even call it that) is that those two shows are so similar. See my prior post if you don't believe me. Still, is there really too much of a good thing?

Didn't think so.

This really does explain why the two shows are so similar!
Oh, and I want to be her because of the genius of her writing/producing skills.
Not that being a journalist isn't spectacular as well.