Tonight She's Back

Television shows offer up a multitude of characters and storylines. Most of them aren't any good or are just passing entertainment. But every once in awhile, they get it right, and create a compelling and dare I say? important character.

While everyone who reads this blog knows I love a well executed TV show, there are actually few that I really look forward to. The Closer is one of them.

There are many things to love about this show. Smart writing. Great acting. Smooth and polished production. But most of all, it has one of the most interesting and dynamic characters on television and best thing? She's a woman.

I'm not a raving feminist. But I do think we have some very distorted views of women in our society, and certain roles we still like to cram women into. There are certain expectations of what a woman should be, and there are certain expectations of what a strong woman should be. A successful career woman looks very different in our perception from a stay at home mother.

Brenda Leigh Johnson is certainly NOT perfect. That would be a boring show to watch. But she is excellent at her job and passionate about justice. She is trying to have a successful relationship with a wonderful man and still devote herself to her job. She still wears dresses and skirts at work and commands the respect of those under her charge. But she almost always gets the job done. Kyra Sedgewick is phenomonal in her performance and has really brought depth and life to this character.

The Closer is a cable show on TNT. If you have cable, the fourth season premieres tonight. If you have never watched this show, I recommend trying to catch up on the past three seasons. They are well worth it.