THE GOOD GUYS “Common Enemies” Episode 11 - In the “Common Enemies” episode of THE GOOD GUYS, which I had the chance to watch early, Jack and Dan must assist a pompous forensic expert in a search for the “Tech Bandit,” a master cat burglar. Meanwhile Ruiz needs Liz’s help in a prostitution sting.
This is a bit of a change-up episode in that there are two cases being investigated and Jack and Dan’s original case is really the less important one. Also, I think the writers have listened to some fan concerns because the villains are more interesting and developed and, like last week, the flashbacks are much less frequent giving the show better flow. Plus, Dan shares a “family secret” that confirms something many of us have suspected.
The bow-tied Dr. Alphonse LaViolette is played with gusto by Ethan Phillips, best known as Neelix on Star Trek: Voyager and he’s a hoot. Jack and Dan, unsurprisingly, don’t take well to LaViolette’s smug attitude, and they opt to compete with him rather than assist him. “This may be the week I get kicked off the force,” says Dan. In the race to find the tech bandit (whose motive I love, by the way), we learn that Dan is a barbecue sauce connoisseur and that he has no problem doing multiple takes for the film student he and Jack stole from LaViolette.
In the second case, Ray Wise (Twin Peaks, Reaper) plays crooked (and unbalanced) state senator Buddy Haverton, whom Liz has been building a case against for six years. It’s nice to see Liz get involved in an investigation, especially when she loses her cool with the prostitute who brought the cops the evidence. “Excuse me for dressing like a professional and not a ‘professional.’” Of course, she does end up dressing like a “professional,” and what seems like your normal sexist scene is twisted into a funny satirical moment. I hope Ruiz and Liz continue to be better integrated in future episodes. Liz doesn’t whine at all and Ruiz is just all-around awesome. Oh, and Hodges gets to be in charge of something and shouldn’t expect that to happen again– ever.
Best lines: “I believe that is the agreed upon definition of the term stuck;” “I may fail you. It’s too early to tell;” “It’s okay. I can’t stand up right now;” “Don’t worry–I didn’t show him the tape.”
While “Common Enemies” isn’t my favorite episode (that would be “Don’t Tase me Bro”), it’s a solid outing with excellent guest stars . With the ratings it got last week, The Good Guys is almost definitely a goner, so I’m going to enjoy the ride for however long we have left. Is The Good Guys the greatest show ever? No, but it’s a fun, quirky take on the buddy cop formula with one of television’s best straight men in Colin Hanks and a hilariously over-the-top performance from Bradley Whitford.
The “Common Enemies” episode of The Good Guys will air on FOX Friday, October 1 at 9pm/8 central. Once you’ve seen the episode, come talk about it in the comments.
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