"HIT & RUN" Religious Conversion February 20, 2000

by
Gordon Hom

The Evan story kind of fizzles out after last week's overwrought moments of high drama. As Evan is born again in a religious conversion, Evan becomes a remote, unreal character, even more removed from reality (and NASH BRIDGES) than ever before. Evan's replacement, Vanessa Swan has been introduced. Yes, it seems like he is departing the show, but let's wait and see, the writers aren't done with Evan yet... Evan still hasn't been sent away to a far, far away place yet (like Nash's wives, or remember Lt. Shimamura from the first and second seasons, who left for Hawaii), or killed off like Kelly Hu (but at least she was resurrected in MARTIAL LAW).

In the parameters of the TV cop show, religion is encountered only in death. This Sunday's HOMICIDE: THE MOVIE has the central character dying, going to heaven, and meeting his former dead colleagues. NASH BRIDGES has had the Angel character with seemingly divine knowledge, but in Evan's religious salvation, NASH BRIDGES approaches the topic with much trepidation, as Harvey declares himself not a follower of organized religion, and as Nash explains to Cassidy that it's OK for Evan to seek religion. The Evan story is still unfolding, so let's see if Evan is still around by the end of the season (possibly reunited with Cassidy?)

As the Evan story subsides, a seemingly jarring rift has developed between Nash and Caitlin. What happened here? It comes seemingly out from left field, as if an episode were missing. We find out that Caitlin has left to visit family, and on her almost unwelcome return (Nash mistakes Caitlin for an intruder), they are sleeping apart. She wants marriage, Nash doesn't. Will the season end with a marriage proposal, and then marriage the next season? Hey, they did it on WALKER, TEXAS RANGER, so this is the way it may be heading in these conservative times of religious and matrimonial bliss. No, say it ain't so, Don, but if Nash marries Caitlin, that'll be the end of it. The hero finally gets married, but that also signals the end of the series (well, maybe a couple more episodes of where his bride-to-be is threatened...)

As for the main story, who cares about this lame villain who keeps returning? Frankie Dwyer is so plain that porn stars (Jenna Jameson, in her second continuing appearance) are needed to jazz this character up. Frankie is no threat to Nash at all, and indeed, no match at all. NASH BRIDGES needs a Joker to the Batman, but this Frankie ain't no Joker - he's just plain dull.

For more, see synopsis for Episode 93

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