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Brief summary:
When a small-town daycare worker is accused
of child molestation, Frank and his new associate
Lara Means find themselves at odds with local
popular opinion because they've come to suspect
an altogether different menace to the community's
children.
Rogue's Review:
A beautiful, lyrical episode, bookended with
fairy tales that hide frightening metaphors
about the nature of panic, rumormongering and
mob behavior, "Monster" is also notable
for the introduction of Season Two's most engaging
new character, Lara Means (the exuberant and
engaging Kristen Cloke of SAAB).
Frank investigates a small-town daycare worker
accused of molesting one of her charges; not
long after his arrival, another child dies at
the center. The townspeople are understandably
outraged, but few of them are willing to consider
the accused, Miss Penny Plott, innocent until
proven guilty. Working with quirky fellow investigator
and Group candidate Lara Means, Frank suspects
another culprit in the attacks... and lands
in hot water when he becomes a suspect himself,
following allegations of abuse against his own
daughter.
"Monster" is a harrowing study of
child abuse, and the almost instantaneous reaction
of ordinary people to believe the worst about
suspected abusers. It also gives us a glimpse
into the inner workings of a deviant mind, and
speculates about the point in human development
at which such abnormalities occurs -- pondering
the possibility that some of us are just born
evil.
The introduction of Lara brings us the first
likable new character of the season (Roedecker
didn't come into his own until "Midnight
of the Century" and "The Mikado").
Her visions of angels and her trademark opening
remark, "Here's my thing," help make
her a quirky and very real addition to the show's
lineup. The haunting opening moments of her
introduction, when she watches, eyes haunted,
the vision of an angel glowing outside the wing
of her plane, add impact to all the things to
come for her, as we learn of the unique gift
she possesses. Like Frank's, it aids her in
her work. But unlike his, it is slowly tearing
her apart.
"Monster" ranks with the best of
Season One, and in the Rogue's Eye, is the first
major landmark of Season Two. The Wongs are
redeemed! [Rating: 9/10] |
