Holly Hunter in "Saving Grace"
courtesy of TNT
“Saving Grace” (TNT)

If there is an adult drama on television today that is better than TNT’s “Saving Grace” I’ll eat my hat. I mean this show is as close to perfection as it gets. Now don’t get me wrong I am a big fan of “The Closer,” “The Shield,” and “Rescue Me” but they can’t touch “Saving Grace.” Every episode of this show has meaning to it, and every episode has Holly Hunter. That is a one two punch that is deadly.

For those not in the know, Hunter plays Grace Hanadarko, a police detective in Oklahoma City. She lost a family member in the Murrah Building bombing and that death placed its scar on her. Last season we also found out she was the victim of sexual abuse by a Catholic priest (Rene Auberjonois).

As this season starts Grace is still having problems with the priest who abused her. She thought he was dead but in the last episode of last season she found out he is alive. Now she is tormented by the fact she and this priest are alive on the same planet. Her guardian angel Earl (Leon Rippy) tries to convince her to forgive him but Grace can’t.

Hunter is totally Grace Hanadarko. She looks awful in the role as she is thin to the extreme. Maybe some would call it wiry but to me it is skin and bones. Still she seems to be in great shape for the physical demands of the role.

On this show you are going to hear more profanity and see more nudity than you would expect on a TNT series. “Saving Grace” is as gritty as they come. This is a series for adults only. Still the grittiness adds to its appeal since it is also one of the most religious shows on the air. That duality has to be seen to be believed, but believe me it is there.

The supporting cast is nothing short of amazing. Laura San Giacomo is perfection as Rhetta, Grace’s co-worker and best friend. Newcomer to the cast, Lorraine Toussaint has finally loosened up as Grace’s boss Kate Perry. Last year she looked like she was reading her lines off cue cards but this year she is a joy in her role.

Kenny Johnson is still appealing as Ham, Grace’s co-worker and sometime lover. At first Ham seemed a little dim but he has sharpened up as the role has been expanded. Bailey Chase is still competitive as Butch, another partner/lover.

Even with these and other great actors in the cast it is still Hunter’s show all the way. When she and Rippy are having one of their rants the magic of the show is almost unbearable it is so intense. And in the quiet emotional moments the heart of the show and of Grace shine through.

If you haven’t watched this show regularly then you are missing out on great television entertainment. I can’t justify its rawness other than to say it is what it is. Once you get over the shock effect of the language and nudity, you will find a series that is golden entertainment.

“Saving Grace” premieres on TNT, July 14 at 10PM. If you like adult dramas then don’t miss this one.
 

 

 

 

 

©2008 Jackie K. Cooper

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