"LAP DANCE" The Bad Girl Turns Soft October 21, 2000

by
Gordon Hom

So this classic NASH Bad Girl returns, with her sultry voice and lines like "Whaddaya say Nash, like a little trim?" Tamara Van Zant first appeared in "Bombshell," Episode #41, from Season 3 and then again in "High Fall," Episode #55, from Season 4. She was a lot badder then. But after a stint in prison, she's a little more toned down, as she charms Daddy Nick with a haircut. But Cassidy nails down her character and integrity in one line "You prance around all dolled up, and all pushed up and whatever, trying to get whatever you can from whoever you can." Tamara is completely amoral, and her stab of conscience and loyalty to Nash (by not running off with the computer after sleeping with Nash) is uncharacteristic and almost meaningless, as Nash doesn't trust her anyways.

But Nash is drawn to her like a moth to a flame. This free-wheeling cop, almost as lawless as he is the law enforcer, wants the promiscuous Tamara anyways. In "Lap Dance" we're asked to make comparisons between different kinds of woman - the virtuous Cassidy on the one hand, and on the other the evil Fiona Childs, cold-hearted blackmailer. Tamara is supposed to occupy the gray area in between, as the poor creature is only trying to survive and stay out of prison. The giddy Nash does nothing as she beats the crap out of Tony B. And yet the poor creature is always dressed to the nines, like a Penthouse Pet in fetishistic textured clothing. Even when Tamara is tied up in an almost mock bondage scenario, with her legs fashionably crossed on the bed, and arms tied to the bedposts, she looks stunning. Small wonder Nash is just about defenseless against this woman, as she has an endless wardrobe and repertoire of sexy things and scenarios that the kinky-minded NASH BRIDGES writers think up.

We finally get to see grief from Cassidy over the death of Evan, as she puts his death behind her by removing Evan's necklace. She has found another, but the respect she pays Evan is heart rendering. While there was intense grief when Evan died, there was no more meaningful reflection. Evan just died and the series went on. But this scene in "Lap Dance" finally gives us some sense of closure and a bit of relief. Something symbolic begs to be said when you watch a character for five seasons and then that character dies. To see his photo and badge is moving, and ultimately healing.

For more, see synopsis for Episode 103

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