In Plain Sight "High Priced Spread" (2008)

After a so-so episode last week, I have to admit that when I saw this week's preview I didn't think this episode would be that good either. I will also admit that I was wrong. First off, I was interested in the story of the two brothers who entered the program even if the gambling addiction is a tried and true troubled teenager plot. Then I started to see it from a different angle. I think it's assumed that the danger to the witnesses under Mary's care will always come from connections to their past lives. In fact that has been the case up to the last episode however the troubles were still derived from being in the witness protection program. With this episode, the plot has nothing to do with the fact that they boy is in witness protection as this could have easily happened to him had he never left home. He just happens to be under Mary's care when things do go bad and it's a good thing too. Mary is just the person to have in these dire situations.

But the episode works even more with the fact that Mary has taken such a personal interest in this case due to the fact that her father was a compulsive gambler as well. I'm not sure if we heard about Mary's father before as I tend to tune out when her family pops onto the scene as they can be so annoying. Interesting when you take into account how I wish we see more of Michael's mother (not so much the brother) on Burn Notice, another USA original series as it adds an extra dimension to the show and the main character. However in this show the family members are just dead beats who take advantage of Mary for their own selfish reasons. Mama Westen manipulates her son too but to keep him close so they can be a family. Anyway all this leads to me believing this is the first real glimpse into Mary's childhood. At the family members of gamblers support group meeting, as the tone of the confessionals changed to speaking directly to Scott (Marcus Brown) to Mary, the look of sadness that begin to evolve over her face was truly heartbreaking. She eventually has to run out of the meeting and break down in the privacy of her car as she has never been comfortable with showing emotion in public (at least that we've seen). It was a beautiful way to show us how the story is taking a personal turn and relies solely on Mary's ability to act without words.

I also loved her speech at the end that for better or worse she is who she is today because of her father who walked out when she was only seven. Sad comfort but think of all the people she has helped in her job and the unfortunate toll it has taken on her personal life as she shies away from getting too close to anyone particularly Raphael. Maybe this episode will serve as the catalyst for her to work through those issues. At least she knows how to bury the feelings to do her job. Her needling of the bookie when she knows he is going down and he still thinks the game is rigged in her favor is a spot-on character moment and one of the reasons she is so lovable. Mary McCormack is perfect for this role and I hope come Emmy time she gets at least a nomination.

With regards to the remaining Marshals in the Albuquerque branch are Stan and Marshall the only other people assigned to this office? Stan makes a mention of how they are understaffed and I don't recall ever seeing anyone else wandering the halls, even in the background. Stan seemed particularly nasty in this episode as he snaps at Mary for checking up on witnesses from ten years ago. Marshall has his own little amusing subplot with the kinky new girlfriend and it was nice to see him have someone other than Mary and get a little action. Of course she's a little too much for him which gives Mary another opportunity to needle her best friend.

Favorite moment: Despite the deeply emotional scenes at the support group meetings, I'm going to go with a fun moment and that's when Marshall decides to explain to Mary the bookie's new arrangement with Chris via a Back to the Future metaphor, the movie lover in me kicked into overdrive. I'm going to be picky though and point out he was actually talking about Back to the Future Part II, a fact that the encyclopedic Marshall would seem unlikely to forget as he appears to be well versed in everything else. Mary's exasperation as he builds up to his point perfectly complements his straight face as he delivers his lecture. It was nice little moment between the partners and demonstrates how they work so well with one another. And anytime you can get TV characters to talk about movies I am in entertainment heaven.