Facing Kate

Never wrote a review for anything and I've always appreciated all you people who take the time to do so.

This cast is energetic and work well together. The writing is smart and... (okay I'll be fair), the plots are sweet and often soupy. I don't even mind because it's just fun to watch. I get sick of crime shows, dead bodies and autopsy rooms (I am not in charge of the remote). This is one of the few shows that I peek my head over my laptop to watch. Yes even my hardened husband likes this show; although, I don't think its for the same reasons I do. Can't say I blame him, Kate's a knockout along with her stepmother. If you need a break from the world but still want some substance and lots of talent stay tune.

This show had all the makings of a great show but unfortunately it never gained enough of an audience. The characters are interesting enough but nothing revolutionary. They are comical though and the cast do a really good job at portraying their respective roles. Kate Reed is particularly entertaining.

I personally found season one to be better than season two. Season two seems a little less "sparkly" but it still feels engaging.

The show may not have aired for many seasons but it's a solid comedy drama with plenty of heart and interesting legal story lines. Give it a go and you won't regret it.

Fairly Legal is a new show with a lot of potential for a few season run. This show focuses upon court ordered mediation and in particular the young woman who is assigned by the court to settle disputes between parties before they get to the formality of trial.

Sarah Shahi plays a perky and quirky former attorney who steps down a bit in the legal food chain to take on the job. She has the notion that things be kept on an informal basis, it makes life and the consequences for the parties involved a whole lot easier.

The show has a nice Ally McBeal feel to it. Showing up in a few episodes is Gerald McRaney as a judge. I liked his character and hope to see more of him.

I'd give this show a look.

This series has lots of energy mostly via its lead Kate (Sarah Shahi) and Leonardo (Baron Vaughn) as a "fairly legal" mediation team. The concept and the character backgrounds is made interesting in the first episode with plenty of room for development.

I do like the "affectionate" exchanges between Kate and her former legal "professionals" personified in Kate's brazen disregard for protocol. Kate's character is immediately given speed and license to turn human disputes around whichever which way she can. If the rest of the series lives up to episode one then it'll have my attention.

My one reservation is the apparent lack of chemistry between Kate and co-star Justin (Michael Trucco) which is apparent through the kind of characters they play as well as an on screen indifference.

Still promising though.

As a lighter-than-popcorn time filler on the USA network, the only real reason to watch Fairly Legal is the very charming performance of lead actress Sarah Shahi. Shahi is effervescent, stunningly beautiful and possesses a traffic-stopping figure. In season 2 her character, Kate Reed, has deepened slightly emotionally and Shahi has been able to amp up her intelligent performance as well. Actor Ryan Johnson has been added to the cast in Season 2 as Ben Grogan, a smart alecky law partner and snark counterpart to Shahi. It could be a fruitful and amusing relationship once the writers shake the bugs out. Baron Vaughan, as Kate's assistant Leonardo, is still an annoying presence and could be written out with no appreciable loss to the show. Michael Trucco plays Kate's estranged husband Justin and that relationship also grows wearisome. He's a good actor in the thankless part of whipping boy and deserves a shot in another series. I hope he gets it. The only other reason to tune in is the occasional appearance of Kate's nemesis/stepmother/law partner Lauren Reed, played by Virginia Williams. Reed/Williams is memorable for a joyously eye-catching ability to sashay,saunter and slink while wearing the tightest dresses ever seen on television. If the writers allow Kate to continue her growth while making room for Grogan--and keeps Reed in those dresses, this could be a series that goes for the standard 5 year USA network run. I promise to make time.