What I’m Watching: Rizzoli & Isles

Rizzoli & Isles: Season 1, Episode 5 “Money for Nothing” (B+)

I’m enjoying the sort of switching off between Rizzoli and Isles as the focal point for the cases. In addition to giving Maura something to do, it also provides some background information about the upbringing and past of her character. I like how it encourages a rivalry between the two leads, and I absolutely love how they interact. Casting Mark-Paul Gosselaar as one of the wealthy sons with whom Maura once had a close relationship was hardly a distraction, and it was probably good for loyal TNT views to see the actor back in the Monday 10pm time slot formerly occupied by the abysmal “Raising the Bar.” Maura discussing how she grew up was interesting, and even more delightful was the fact that she decided to turn to the other cops for advice on how to get back on Maura’s good side. Her oyster trip with both of them was a whole lot of fun, and that’s one of the things that for me makes this show very worthwhile as compared with other procedurals on the air these days. Rizzoli did seem rather annoyed and impolite when she was interacting with the family members after news of the brother’s death, though it does make sense considering her immense hatred of the upper class and the ease with which they live and take much for granted. I enjoyed the ending scene where Maura allowed herself to be swayed by Rizzoli’s bullying and give in to the notion of trying beer, even if it had to be the old-fashioned way.