I adore Marshal Marshall. He is just my kinda hero. Although I find myself thoroughly charmed by Brandi's boyfriend. Joshua Malina is such an exquisite actor and has the strength to stand up to Mary in an incredibly non-confrontational manner. Very much like a pragmatic Marshall, actually.

I was never able to get past the inconsistencies in the show, but maybe that's because I know a bunch of US marshals so I know that a lot of stuff is wrong. I also hate that the producers feel that women have to have a fucked up personal life in order to have a successful career.

Don't most protagonists of shows have a fucked-up personal life?

I don't know that they do, so much as a lot of shows seem to find that as a shortcut to "Not Mary Sue", rather than developing women's personalities.

I don't know that they do, so much as a lot of shows seem to find that as a shortcut to "Not Mary Sue", rather than developing women's personalities.

yes, this.

Ah, gotcha. "She's not perfect! Her life sucks! The end."

Joshua Malina is such an exquisite actor and has the strength to stand up to Mary in an incredibly non-confrontational manner.

His speech at the end of this week's episode was pretty much what I've been wanting to say, were I to know Mary irl. Repressed resentment pops out all over the place and it isn't the family's fault! Yes, they are, or were, monumental screw ups...be mad about that...but acting like everybody sucks doesn't help make you any happier.

I also hate that the producers feel that women have to have a fucked up personal life in order to have a successful career.

I totally agree, but imagining the storylines of a lot of my favorite shows, were they to follow this idea and relieve the main characters of their angst...yeah, no show...no show, and um, no show. Though, with the big changes in Mary's emotional stressers this season, they may be working toward something intrinsically more healthful for her. It certainly seems to be working for Brandi and Jinx.

I stand corrected where Bones is concerned. Brennan isn't screwed up, is actually quite successful...and we like that about her.

But, Life, Lie to Me, Sarah Connor, can't think what those women would be without their demons.

Well, sorta. Extra bonus if they can give her Hollywood Stupid Hair too(Another reason why Kay Howard from Homicide is still my favorite. Even though admitting she had an affair with her training officer would seem to put her on track for a Crappy Personal life, a few eps later, she's into Ed Danvers and telling all of law enforcement Baltimore he's a stallion. Which I halfway think is a joke, sorry Mr. Ivanek.)

If the demons are part of the story, then fine. Take "Saving Grace" for example. The whole point of the show is her demons. But, it's not stupid bullshit like Mary's car always breaking down.