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.

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

Oddly, the women seem to be the only ones on that show with even a scrap of sanity.

I'm a total, viewer come lately to Rescue Me, but so I have no cred, but I'm enjoying this season.

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

The shows that come to mind (CSI, Saving Grace, The Closer, Life) don't bring that to mind--I don't watch In Plain Sight--which others do you mean?

I kept watching Monk despite being disappointed with the lackluster showing in the last few seasons. I'm with -t. I hope they pull out the stops for the final 16.

Watching the last Emmy broadcast was kind of painful. I haven't read anything about Shaloub's personal life, but it seemed weird that he and Brooke Adams were sitting at an empty table. He kept reaching for her hand when the camera was on them but she kept inching away. He was, however, rocking a pretty cool Nehru jacket.