THE PROTECTOR
JUNE 12, 2011-SEPTEMBER 19, 2011
Lifetime has found a forum to present strong women that are not driven by the men in their world. Gloria Sheppard (Ally Walker) is a smart, intuitive L.A.P.D. homicide detective who can reach into an investigation and quickly weed out dead trails and get on the road to the guilty party. Her family is conventional in these unconventional times as her brother, Davey Sheppard (Chris Payne Gilbert) a recovering alcoholic, plays the male role in the lives of Gloria's two children; Leo (Thomas Robinson) and Nick (Sage Ryan).
Sheppard's partner, Michelle Dulcett (Tisha Campbell-Martin), is the balancing force between the two detectives. She injects a bit of humor in the less than humorous lives of officers dealing with death on a daily basis. Lieutenant Felix Valdez (Miguel Ferrer) is in charge of the feisty duo who knows their potential while at the same time answers to those who rank above him. The final layer to the cast is police officer Ramon "Romeo" Rush (Terrell Tilford) who works alongside the female partners. His flirtation with Dulcett in public is more intimate in their private world.
The show is a collision of Cagney And Lacey meets The Closer. Heartwarming scenes encompassing the children are full-on Lifetime moments. The stories involving the apprehension of those involved in the police investigations are not unique, but the process to get the killer(s) is good. Sheppard often has to deal with those who have lost the ability to have their hand on the pulse of evil forces. The trail will lead the other investigators with a line of dropped crackers down a never ending path. Sheppard pursues the real killers and does not become led but instead leads the killer(s) to their own demise.
So many shows have to use disturbing visual effects of death to attract an audience. The psychological conspiracy that most shows use as a preview catch during promotional commercials often leaves the viewers disappointed. The Protector does not need that, as the story lines will stand on their own merit. Alley Walker and Tisha Campbell-Martin have been given scripts with underlying humor and the two are able to bring it to life with subtle charm without negating the serious facets of their profession.
RUSTY
6/12/11
