BIG DOINGS IN 'POLAND, N.H.'.Byline: - David Kronke DAVID E. KELLEY appears to have overthought his latest series, ``The Brotherhood of Poland, N.H.'' After shooting the pilot, he replaced one actor and reshot key scenes; then, just last week, he jettisoned the pilot pretty much altogether, rejiggering the second episode to transform it into the premiere you'll see tonight. Like it matters: It's on opposite ``Law & Order.'' Clearly, Kelley wanted to get viewers to the plot lines more quickly, but given that it's a character-driven series on broadcast-network television that flies brazenly in the face of the younger, sexier demographics advertisers insist upon these days, it might've been nice to delineate the characters before introducing the (mostly cartoonish) plot lines that now open the show. The in media res storytelling technique seems a half-hearted concession to commercial concerns. ``Brotherhood'' stars Randy Quaid, John Carroll Lynch John Carroll Lynch (born August 1, 1963) is an American actor. He may be best known for his role as Drew Carey's cross-dressing brother on The Drew Carey Show and for his role as Norm, the unassuming husband of Margie Gunderson (Frances McDormand) in Fargo. and Chris Penn as the Shaw brothers, big fish (in every sense of the word - there's not a one of them who couldn't profit from some time on a treadmill) in a decidedly tiny New England pond, and Mare Winningham, Elizabeth McGovern and Ann Cusack, respectively, as their wives. Hank (Quaid) is the chief of police and coach of the high-school hockey team (his brothers were superlative icemen in their day). Garrett (Lynch) is mayor; his position compensates for Waylon (Penn), who suffers from an inferiority complex inferiority complex Acute sense of personal inferiority, often resulting in either timidity or (through overcompensation) exaggerated aggressiveness. Though once a standard psychological concept, particularly among followers of Alfred Adler, it has lost much of its stemming from his unemployment and, in general, his inferiority. Hank's wife, Dottie (Winningham), is the most hidebound hidebound said of skin that is not easily lifted from the subcutaneous tissue. Occurs in emaciated animals because of the absence of fat and connective tissue rather than absence of fluid. , restless about living in a small town whose halcyon hal·cy·on n. 1. A kingfisher, especially one of the genus Halcyon. 2. A fabled bird, identified with the kingfisher, that was supposed to have had the power to calm the wind and the waves while it nested on the sea days are long gone. Garrett's bride, Helen (McGovern), is blissfully unaware of her husband's affair, the burbling bur·ble n. 1. A gurgling or bubbling sound, as of running water. 2. A rapid, excited flow of speech. 3. repercussions repercussions npl → répercussions fpl repercussions npl → Auswirkungen pl of which are threatening to erupt into a minor scandal. Julie (Cusack), Waylon's betrothed, stands by her man through thick and thin, though he's certainly thick and his prospects are thin. Kelley errs by not realizing his female characters had lives before their marriages; though we see much brotherly love, there's nothingto suggest the women's lives beyond their sundry wedlocks. Apparently, they just arrived in town after hearing, erroneously, of the wonderfully plentiful genetic material available there. The families' children have either left or suffer standard-issue teen disaffection. He also missteps by jumping headlong into a couple of dubious plot lines: Garrett's former mistress attempts to extort To compel or coerce, as in a confession or information, by any means serving to overcome the other's power of resistance, thus making the confession or admission involuntary. To gain by wrongful methods; to obtain in an unlawful manner, as in to compel payments by means of threats of him (we meet the angry, obnoxious extortionist before we meet Helen, which makes the affair pretty inexplicable) while Waylon has his wife apply duct tape to his posterior before going on a job interview. Had we known anything about these characters, this stuff might've made a modicum of sense; as is, they merely seem daffy, attention-getting devices. Meanwhile, Dottie attempts to resurrect the local movie theater - she actually had a resonant reason for it before Kelley got to tinkering - and resurrect her marriage, as well, by dealing with Hank's amusingly explicated jones for Katie Couric. The brothers are all given a chance to strut their (sizable) stuff, but given the cast's talents, one hopes Kelley is able to make hay of the ``Brotherhood's'' sisterhood sisterhood: see monasticism. . In particular, McGovern is underserved, and a simple shot of Cusack's reaction when Waylon is insulted suggests she has a lot more to contribute to the proceedings. Still, despite tonight's overreaching Exploiting a situation through Fraud or Unconscionable conduct. debut, one roots for the ``Brotherhood.'' It's not (overtly) sexy, it's (nominally) intelligent and, most iconoclastically of all given this fall season, it's a drama that doesn't truck in crime procedurals, just the far messier procedurals of the bewildered heart. David Kronke, (818) 713-3638 david.kronke(at)dailynews.com THE BROTHERHOOD OF POLAND, N.H. - Two and one half stars What: David E. Kelley's latest: Three middle-age brothers run a small New England town The New England town is the basic unit of local government in each of the six New England states. An institution that does not have a direct counterpart in most other U.S. states, New England towns are conceptually similar to civil townships in that they were originally set up so but struggle with managing their own lives. Where: CBS (Cell Broadcast Service) See cell broadcast. (Channel 2). When: 10 tonight. In a nutshell: Almost enough to help viewers forgive ``Snoops'' and ``girls club.'' RETURN ENGAGEMENT Shows returning tonight for another season 8 p.m. ``My Wife and Kids'' (ABC ABC in full American Broadcasting Co. Major U.S. television network. It began when the expanding national radio network NBC split into the separate Red and Blue networks in 1928. ) - Michael (Damon Wayans) and Jay (Tisha Campbell-Martin) react to the news of their son Junior's (George O. Gore II George O. Gore II (born December 15 1981 in Fort Washington, Maryland, U.S.) is an American actor. He is most recognized for playing the roles of Michael Kyle Jr. on the ABC sitcom My Wife and Kids, and G Williams on the FOX police drama New York Undercover. ) girlfriend's pregnancy. ``60 Minutes II'' (CBS) - The sixth season begins. ``Ed'' (NBC NBC in full National Broadcasting Co. Major U.S. commercial broadcasting company. It was formed in 1926 by RCA Corp., General Electric Co. (GE), and Westinghouse and was the first U.S. company to operate a broadcast network. ) - Ed (Thomas Cavanagh) and Carol (Julie Bowen) have difficulties consummating their relationship. 9 p.m. ``The Bachelor'' (ABC) - The charming and lovable Bob Guiney, who won the hearts of people across the country when he appeared as a suitor to Trista Rehn on ``The Bachelorette,'' is the new ``Bachelor.'' Chris Harrison hosts. ``The West Wing'' (NBC) - House Speaker Walken (John Goodman) temporarily takes over the presidency in the wake of Zoey Bartlet's kidnapping. 10 p.m. ``Law & Order'' (NBC) - A killer's public defender (Alexander Chaplin) claims attorney-client privilege in not revealing where bodies of victims are located. - Compiled by Jaime Spangrude CAPTION(S): photo, box Photo: Chris Penn, left, John Carroll Lynch and Randy Quaid are the Shaw brothers, whose lives are chronicled in ``The Brotherhood of Poland, N.H.'' Box: RETURN ENGAGEMENTS (see text) |
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