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.

But, it's not stupid bullshit like Mary's car always breaking down.

I totally forgot that used to happen. And I see that point.

I think the writing has matured from having dumb stuff happen to underscore Mary's fatalistic viewpoint to showing us why Mary's viewpoint is so skewed.

It came to a head at the end of last season when EVERYone around her made such boneheaded mistakes at her expense...but she kept protecting them...that I nearly left the show. It was excruciating.

It doesn't feel that way anymore because we see why loyalty...even resentment soaked loyalty...is so important to her.

I think fucked-up personal life is the chic thing for protagonists of both sexes ever since The Sopranos. House, Lie to Me, The Shield, CSI, Monk, Life, NYPD Blue, etc. etc.

Yeah, angst behind the scenes isn't just for chicks, although I think they tend to give women flaws in different ways, both genders get their demons.

Speaking of Monk, they're really playing up the goodbye with the final season. I don't watch it regularly anymore, but I'm starting to feel sad about it.

Yeah, angst behind the scenes isn't just for chicks, although I think they tend to give women flaws in different ways, both genders get their demons.

True, but women tend to get incompetence (i.e. she's always running late, her car breaks down, she can't find her keys, etc.) more than personal demons.

And of course "Rescue Me" sets a new standard, all by itself, for Fucked.

I don't watch it regularly anymore, but I'm starting to feel sad about it.

I've kept watching, though it's not near as enjoyable as it first was. I'm hoping that having an end in sight will allow a resurgence of quality along with some closure re: Trudy.

women tend to get incompetence (i.e. she's always running late, her car breaks down, she can't find her keys, etc.) more than personal demons.

Really? I haven't watched In Plain SIght at all, but I can't think of any examples of that from shows that I do watch. If that's a trope I've been avoiding without realizing it I guess I'm grateful to my subconscious.