What I’m Watching: Vegas

Vegas: Season 1, Episode 5 “Solid Citizens” (B+)

Probing our protagonists’ personal lives is a great way to embellish the eternal dynamic between Frank and Vincent that only continues to heat up each episode. Vincent has an interesting relationship with his wife, Laura, and it’s a change to see him fawn over someone that way, though clearly she isn’t as attached to the idea of moving to Vegas, deterred considerably by the sight of bullet holes in his car. I was intrigued to see Mia volunteer so readily to show her around Vegas since it had previously seemed that she and Vincent might have had a romance in the past. It was good to have the Lamb men on a case that didn’t directly involve Vincent, instead pursuing the kidnapper of the son of a contractor played by Greg Grunberg of “Alias” and “Heroes” fame. The shoot-out at the motel was this episode’s signature stylized scene, dark and serious in the midst of lighter occurrences. Jack voicing his opinion about Dixon benefiting from more responsibility was met with predictable stoicism, and Dixon is definitely going to end up resenting his father for refusing to let him be put in harm’s way. Ralph also doesn’t much feel like officially becoming the sheriff, though the Mayor made a good point when he said that Ralph didn’t look ready to go anywhere anytime soon. Vincent handled Jones’ inquiry into Cornaro well, but Ralph is closing in on him, and that’s one situation that’s going to come back to haunt an otherwise well-off Vincent. I don’t usually notice musical choices, but I did like the use of the Oscar-winning song “The Weary Kind” from “Crazy Heart” in this episode.