Terriers: One-hit wonder

There is one considerable up-side to the cancellation of TV shows after just one season. They never get the opportunity to slowly slide into mediocrity. “Freaks and Geeks” and “Firefly” might have been euthanized far too early but they still exist on DVD form, their pristine debut (and final) season drawing hundreds of new fans every year.

Such is destined to be the fate of “Terriers”, which was cancelled after a 13-episode run. Starring Donal Logue and Michael Raymond-James as down-on-their-luck private detectives, “Terriers” combined charm and wit with devastating character studies and lots of fluid twists that felt earned rather than forced.

“Terriers” took a standard TV trope — the ex-cop who is picking up the pieces after alcoholism cost him his job and wife teams up with the ex-con trying to play it straight — and breathed new life into it. The centre of the show is the chemistry between the two leads, who trade barbs and quips at lighting pace but never lose sight of the bond (the extremely manly bond) that ties them together.

The master plot at play in ‘Terriers” involves a shady land deal that has already taken the life of Logue’s friend and involves the most powerful lawyer in town. Since the private detectives’ only tool of the trade is a beat-up van, they are obviously way in over their heads. Combining episodes that deal with this overarching plot with standalone episodes showing other cases the investigators have stumbled onto, “Terriers” maintains just the right balance of plot and character development.

Michael Raymond-James has finally gotten a chance to shine in this lead role- his previous stints on shows like “ER” and “Boston Legal” didn’t do him justice. Donal Logue, one of those actors who is in absolutely everything but had never ascended beyond sidekick status,  also manages to be gritty yet completely believable. The show is also greatly helped by its strong supporting cast. Laurie Allen as Raymond-James’ supportive girlfriend is particularly affecting, especially when, all expectations to the contrary, she is the catalyst to a destructive act that threatens their relationship. Logue’s ex-wife (Kimberly Quinn) and ex-police partner (Rockmond Dunbar) hit all the right notes in their exasperation and affection for the lovable rogue, Logue.

“Terriers” had some of the smartest names in TV behind it, including Shawn Rice, the creator of “The Shield”. You can instantly see how much effort has gone into creating its laidback style. For a show that spends most of its running time on banter, “Terriers” doesn’t waste a word. It is always funny, always moving and hits all the right notes.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 26^th, 2010.