TV Jots

Season Two Gets Right Back to Business

Make room for In Plain Sight‘s second season, starting tonight at 10pm ET. The witness-protection crime dramedy proved an immediate and solid hit for USA Network after introducing viewers to lead character Mary Shannon (Mary McCormack) last June, and the first two episodes of the new season indicate the show is destined for more ratings glory during its sophomore run of 16 episodes.

Continuing a storyline started in the series premiere involving Mary’s visiting sister Brandi (Nichole Hiltz) and her big ol’ suitcase full of drugs, the rookie season ended with a frightening kidnapping — where one victim was Mary herself — and a dead man on Mary’s hands. Fittingly, the Season Two premiere “Gilted Lily” begins right after those events occurred, which is always a welcome way to kick things off — no wondering what happened between then and now.

As fans already know, Mary is a dedicated U.S. Marshal who gets results on the job, despite the perpetual conflicts with her family, mother Jinx (Lesley Ann Warren) and sibling Brandi, and her significant other Raphael (Cristián de la Fuente). Just when you think things can’t get any worse, however, a necessary act leads to mandatory administrative leave until a psychological evaluation deems you fit for active duty.

The forced vacation is why Mary’s partner Marshall Mann (Frederick Weller) heads the investigation when one of her witnesses is murdered, resigning Mary to the observer backseat after her understanding boss Stan McQueen (Paul Ben-Victor) allows her to tag along.

As it happens, the case — which concerns a scummy biker, events from 17 years ago, and some hidden plunder — isn’t that interesting or action-packed. It’s the wry interaction between frazzled Mary, suffering from post-traumatic stress, and the other characters, including Holly Maples‘s new office assistant Eleanor, that makes the episode worth watching. Glad to have the show back for the warmer months.