Cast:
· Angie Harmon
· Sasha Alexander
· Donnie Wahlberg
· Brian Dennehy
Related Sites:
· IMDb: Rizzoli & Isles
Grade: A
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Dennehy, Wahlberg guest star as Boston Strangler case haunts Rizzoli & Isles
Television Review: Rizzoli & Isles, "Boston Strangler Redux"
by R.J. Carter
Published: July 18, 2010
In 1967, Albert DeSalvo was sentenced to life in prison for crimes attributed to a serial killer dubbed the Boston Strangler. But some police officers involved with the case believe the wrong man was arrested -- that the real Strangler was still out there, waiting to strike again.
When a young woman's body is dumped from an overpass into the outfield of a ballpark where the police just happen to be playing softball, it's the start of an investigation that begins to take historical turns. The woman was strangled, and when a similarly murdered body turns up within hours, it all starts to seem hauntingly familiar to veteran Detective Korsak (Bruce McGill) -- especially when Detective Rizzoli discovers the names of the victims match the names of two of the victims of the original Boston Strangler.
While Rizzoli is convinced the matching of the victims means something, her newly promoted boss, Lt. Grant (Donnie Wahlberg) isn't about to let her start a mass panic, and shuts her off at every turn. Their antagonistic relationship extends beyond the workplace -- they've known each other since they were kids in catechism, and she's never liked the guy. Which, of course, means viewers can expect sparks of sexual tension to fly between the two of them in future episodes. Maura, on the other hand, continues to sabotage her dating life when her dinner out is cut short after she diagnoses her date with a life-shortening syndrome.
To get a historical perspective on the case, Rizzoli and Korsak seek out the advice of a retired cop (guest star Brian Dennehy) who worked the Strangler case. He in turn leads them to his primary suspect, someone with whom he's shared a history of bad blood. But when hard evidence starts to show up that all points to the new suspect, it seems Jane may be up against the greatest killer Boston has ever faced.
Rizzoli & Isles so far is delivering just the right blend of police action with dysfunctional home life and quirky bonds of friendship. As a result, the two female leads come across as more fully realized characters with rounded personalities, relatable and supportable.
Rizzoli & Isles, "Boston Strangler Redux," airs July 19, 10pm | 9pm CT on TNT.
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