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

For the past three years Holly Hunter has been appearing on our TV screens as Grace Hanadarko, a Police Detective in Oklahoma City, OK. The series in which this character appears, “Saving Grace,” is a mixture of profanity, nudity, violence and religion. The religious part is the element that has created the most controversy as Grace battles with her “guardian angel” in his attempts to save her soul.

Last year TNT announced this would be the last season for “Saving Grace” and a final nine episodes have been filmed. In these final shows it is hoped their will be some reconciliation of Grace’s personal and professional demons.

Grace is not the normal type of heroine. She is flawed through and through. She drinks too much, sleeps around too much, curses too much, and does a million other things she shouldn’t. Still she balances her life by being a dedicated friend, a thoroughly diligent police officer, and a woman who looks after her family. 

As the new season opens Grace has fallen off the roof of a building while trying to help a young woman named Neely (Yanni King). Both Grace and Neely survive the fall which is miraculous in and of itself. Plus they have no injuries as a result of the fall which pushes it even further into miracle territory.

Even Grace’s guardian angel Earl (Leon Rippy) can’t explain it. This leads to some severe soul-searching by Grace as to what God’s plan is for her life. She still is drinking and sleeping around but she is also seeking answers. This seems to be the setup for the core of the last episodes.

As good as Hunter is as Grace, the show would not be as appealing and intriguing were it not for the superb cast of supporting actors who add flavor to the show. This includes Kenneth Johnson as Ham Dewey, Grace’s ex-boyfriend and co-worker; Laura San Giacomo as Rhetta Rodriguez, Grace’s best friend; Tom Irwin as Grace’s priest brother; and Jessica Walter as her mother Betty.

With a cast this good the show would create audience interest, but “Grace” adds the perplexing plot as a further incentive. It is not an easy show to follow but it is one that offers big rewards in its twists and turns. This makes it a show that will be missed when this season ends.

If you have been a regular follower you don’t want to miss these final nine episodes. They start on TNT, Monday, March 29 at 10PM.
 

 

 

 

 

©2010 Jackie K. Cooper

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