In Plain Sight "Don of the Dead" (2008)

A little religion finds its way into the series tonight as a couple, both devout Catholics, find themselves in the witness protection program after being present at the murder of their priest by the biggest racketeer in Boston. The twist is that neither of them can stand one another but consider it a sin to divorce so they continue to make each other miserable while in the program. I have to say this was the first week that I think the witness plot took a backseat to the family drama. While I called what had actually happened regarding the witness in the car crash before the episode was half over, this week's witness drama wasn't as much of a distraction as one would assume given the fact you know how it will end. No this week was really about the characters and their respective desires and how those will clash with others.

I have to say that Jinx is starting to become not so much of a pain. Since she's got the new job at the bar and not drunkenly lounging around Mary's home, she's become a lot more palatable than how she started the series. Since she's mellowed you can actually feel for her when she's hurting and not whining. We've already seen her overcome the declaration that her husband is dead from the government and take a step towards turning her life around. Here we see a more personal side as she relives her childhood dreams of performing on the stage. Brandi lets it slip that she was a dancing prodigy before something happened which changed all that and Jinx herself quietly states that she was good enough. Call it a hunch but I think that the thing that happened was Mary's birth. If she was sixteen when everything changed, it's plausible she became pregnant with Mary. She would have been forced to give up her dreams to take up motherhood and considering the deadbeat we've heard her husband to be, it's understandable she may have retreated into alcohol rather than take it out on her children.

Now that we're starting to like and feel for Jinx, the show is trying to do the same for Brandi but her sentimental storyline regarding her trying to put the moves on Raph just continues to highlight her juvenile and selfish behavior. Maybe it would be a bit more believable if we had seen the attraction build but instead we just land smack dab into the middle of this love triangle which has sprung up over night. Of course Brandi believes that Mary's renewed interest in Raph is only to keep her from having him but she's also driving them together on purpose. Makes perfect sense, Brandi. Doesn't she remember it was her who told Mary not to take him for granted? Mary does let her work get in between them sometimes but it's not intentional cruelty driving her actions. That doesn't give Brandi, who is also reeling from finding her boyfriend may be cheating on her, the right to go after her sister's man. To make matters worse she keeps pushing the issue even when Jinx, another reason she's becoming more likable, repeatedly tells her that she's gunning for trouble.

Just a few quick thought that didn't really fit into the above discussions. Dershowitz makes another appearance again questioning Mary's involvement in the investigation into the car crash. I'm not sure where this storyline is going. Is he supposed to be a new love interest? Is he supposed to become embroiled with a witness and be in need of M&M's help? Or does he just turn up so he and Mary can throw insults at one another as some comic relief? I do enjoy that last one but my curiosity is certainly peaked to see where it might lead. On the love interest note Joe (Christopher Stanley) seems to be molding into a suitable match for Jinx. He's certainly better and more interesting that weird eye patch guy she was with a few episodes ago. Settled down Jinx and a Sam/Diane work relationship with Joe is certainly enough to keep the character in the tolerable column.

Favorite moment: Phone split screen humor is always fun and here is no exception. Brandi decides to continually call Raph while Mary is over trying to make peace when he decides to take the call . . . in the other room. Smart move buddy. Mary's decision on how to find out what's going on? She calls Brandi which leads to a three row split screen. Always looking for an excuse to avoid the personal stuff, although she was partly justified here, she decides to storm out and have the two of them call her when they're through with the high school b.s. Leaving Raph on the phone with Brandi he accuses her of causing trouble leading her to tell him to go to hell and hang up. Raph, in a moment straight out of Seinfeld, is left calling out "Hello?" Little worried though that his biggest issue with this dilemma is who's taking him to physical therapy. Priorities, buddy.