Louise C
I have waded my way through the first five seasons and mostly enjoyed the dynamics of the characters.
An occasional episode is irritating, in that the writer has insisted on carrying through a bad idea. EG: Frankie's mother insists that he fix the plumbing at Vince Korsak's bar 'The Dirty Robber'.
Inwardly, I cringed, seeing that this was going to play out. The only redeeming moment was when Frankie showed Angie a receipt from a professional plumbing service.
Overall, an enjoyable programme with plenty of action and variety.
Rated 3.5/5 Stars •
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars
09/17/24
Full Review
Audience Member
Traditionally television has afforded people a reasonably accurate insight into the current disposition of our society. The fascination with crime goes back for centuries it was only natural that one of the first major genres to take hold of TV was the police procedural. Quite frequently is combined with another popular entertainment; the buddy movie. The result was stream of television crime dramas a pair of mismatched cops goes after the criminals bring them to justice. Usually it’s a pair of men but in 1981 the increasing infusion of women in the workplace traditionally male jobs was acknowledged with a female crime-fighting duo, ‘Cagney & Lacey’. Six years ago in 2010 and other female dynamic duo were introduced to the American public, ‘Rizzoli & Isles’. This series not only combines the above-mentioned genres but as another one that has recently become doctors popular but nearly mandatory, the use of forensic science and criminal investigation. To achieve this titular pair that you very diverse areas of specialties; Detective Jane Rizzoli (Angie Harmon) of the Boston Police Department and the chief corner of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Dr. Maura Isles. Rizzoli is one of the best detectives on the homicide squad, hailing from a working-class family while Isles is an exceptionally brilliant and inquisitive medical doctor whose family has wealth and societal status.
Many shows would have exhibited a degree of wear and tear over the course of six seasons this series is an example of what resourceful writers and actors accustomed providing performances that shine even in the ensemble cast. Basically this comes down to malleability in cast and crew that makes it possible to inject changes to the inherent structure without adversely affecting the series in its entirety. Will that has been established it should be noted that the first episode of season six is one that is eventually used in almost every single police procedural television show ever, one of the principal characters becoming involved in a shooting rest suddenly the perpetrators gun disappears. The target of such a stress producing storyline is JaneÂ’s younger brother and fellow detective and homicide, Frankie Rizzoli Jr. (Jordan Bridges). Typical of the series propensity for balancing home life work Frankie is also moving into a new apartment just as his mother; Angela (Lorraine Bracco) has become fixated on getting rid of the ratty old chair. A considerable part of what works in the series is demonstrated in this juxtaposition of incongruous conundrums is facing a full-blown internal affairs investigation while having to deal with an exceptionally busy body mother.
In order for series remain robust over any significant period of time the writers must face the necessity of cast changes, characters naturally leave while others enter and have to find their place in the rhythm of the already established relationships. Maura is the epitome of efficiency and accuracy in performing her official duties, traits that carry over into her personal life. She is accustomed always been the smartest person in the room but a partnership with Jane and having moved into her guest house has had a softening effect on the character. This season she is challenged by a new assistant, Kent Drake (Adam Sinclair), a fellow polymath and inherently gifted forensic scientist who has served time working in Afghanistan. This addition not only provides a new viewpoint among the characters but it also allows the storylines to touch on topical concerns that strengthens the audience’s ability to relate to the series, it stories and characters. One thing that is hardly ever addressed in the police procedural show is that the characters do, by necessity, while older. All series such as ‘Law & Order’ routinely made changes of the cast through promotions, deaths and routine moving on, in most cases the pairs remains fairly stagnant. One specific character in the series, Detective Sgt. Vince Korsak (Bruce McGill), a decorated investigator was reached the age where retirement is quite possible. Fred pertaining to his off-duty life encompasses him purchasing a bar and grill, which also offers a place of employment for Angela, and seeking the services of a life coach, Kiki (Christina Chang) was progressed unseen and enigmatic modernizing influence on Korsak by this time not only has screen time but is his fiancée which brings the ladies of the show into the perennial ritual of planning a wedding.
The series that maintain a few ongoing villains over drives the main characters is not so much a seasonal ‘Big Bad’, but instead the series relies heavily on an episodic nature with each episode providing an extremely interesting and unique case to solve. Once again is not so much an attempt at being completely unique but the storylines tends to depend on a vantage point that offers a different viewpoint for the audience to enjoy. The ever popular favorite, the witness with some medical condition is presented as prosopagnosia, a neurological condition where the patient is unable to discern the differences and faces, so call face blindness. Obviously this is something very inconvenient for detectives when the only witness to a crime exhibits the symptoms of this disorder. Another quirky episode the murder victim du jour belong to a fright club, a group whose specific purpose is to give an adrenaline rush by manufacturing exceptionally frightening situations. Keeping up with the medical and legal issues of the times is another murder of a security guard in a medical marijuana dispensary. Naturally some of the edibles provided by the establishment by find their way to affecting the normally level headed Dr. Isles. When a storyline requires such consistently heavy subject matter as murder a touch of levity
Ultimately this is a delightful pairing of two friends from opposite ends of the social spectrum; blue-collar and privileged. In the city such as Boston where Irish and Italian ancestry dominate the city the basic composition of the characters backgrounds and the resulting personality traits this works in a very entertaining way. I have been a fan of the series to six years and during that time I have watched many similar shows come and go without providing a lasting impression. In the case of ‘Rizzoli & Isles’ is still has a place on my list of shows that I tend to watch each new episode immediately and rather than placing it on my ever present backlog of what to watch. In some ways is difficult to explain that there is an undeniably likable quality about this series that seems immune to the normal abatement. Good news for all the fans of the show it has been approved for seven season cliffhanger at the end of this season will have a chance for resolution.
Rated 3.5/5 Stars •
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars
01/09/23
Full Review
Audience Member
This show has really gotten terrible. The writing is dry, the jokes are bad, and the characters' storylines are non-existent or bland. The actual mysteries are forgettable too. I wish they would get the original show-runner back.
Rated 2.5/5 Stars •
Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars
01/09/23
Full Review
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Episode 1
Aired Jun 16, 2015
The Platform
When it appears one of their own shot an unarmed man on a Boston subway platform, the team must find the real killer while clearing their detective's name.
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Episode 2
Aired Jun 23, 2015
Bassholes
Jane and Maura find themselves in the world of competitive bass fishing when a tournament-leading fisherman is killed; Frankie loses a bet.
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Episode 3
Aired Jun 30, 2015
Deadly Harvest
Jane and Maura are called out to the BCU body farm when a murder victim is found buried among the research corpses; Angela keeps secrets from Jane.
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Episode 4
Aired Jul 7, 2015
Imitation Game
The murder of a notorious thief sends Jane and Maura into the world of art heists and forgery; Jane must deal with an FBI agent who is interested in her case; Angela has a new man in her life.
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Episode 5
Aired Jul 14, 2015
Misconduct
The murder of a crime tech shocks the team; Maura is suspended from her position; Jane is determined to catch the killer and clear the department so Maura can be reinstated.
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Episode 6
Aired Jul 21, 2015
Face Value
A murder witness suffers from a condition that is commonly known as facial recognition blindness; the Rizzoli family prepares for a visit from a scheming cousin.
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Episode 7
Aired Jul 28, 2015
A Bad Seed Grows
Jane and Maura must overcome obstacles to find the killer of a 16-year-old girl; Jane has couch issues; Frankie sees UFOs.
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Episode 8
Aired Aug 4, 2015
Nice to Meet You, Dr. Isles
An investigation into the death of a jeweler leads to a member of the Isles family; Maura has been keeping a secret.
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Episode 9
Aired Aug 11, 2015
Love Taps
Jane and Maura discover a murdered college student had 32 girlfriends; Korsak introduces everyone to the new woman in his life.
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Episode 10
Aired Aug 18, 2015
Sister Sister
A champion Rottweiler is the prime suspect when a dog trainer is found dead at home; Maura has a peculiar interaction with Kent.
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Episode 11
Aired Aug 25, 2015
Fake It 'Til You Make It
When a body turns up in Boston with links to another murder in Los Angeles, Jane and Maura hop on a plane; Angela and Korsak plan a double date with Kiki and Ron.
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Episode 12
Aired Sep 1, 2015
5:26
When an old watch is found in a dead woman's stomach, figuring out its significance becomes the key to protecting Jane and the people she loves.
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Episode 13
Aired Feb 16, 2016
Hide and Seek
When Maura is abducted, Jane and the team are determined to bring her home; Maura discovers a conspiracy.
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Episode 14
Aired Feb 16, 2016
Murderjuana
A security guard foils a robbery when he kills one of the robbers; Jane and Maura work together to search for the robber's accomplice; Jane continues her quest to protect Maura and Angela.
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Episode 15
Aired Feb 22, 2016
Scared to Death
A woman is found murdered in a grisly scene, leading the team to uncover a game in which people pay to experience terror.
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Episode 16
Aired Mar 1, 2016
East Meets West
When a gun battle rages in a quiet neighborhood, Jane and Maura are thrown into the secretive world of an Eastern European gang; Maura comes down with a fever.
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Episode 17
Aired Mar 8, 2016
Bomb Voyage
The team works to solve a murder with explosive consequences; Ron offers to take Angela on a romantic getaway.
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Episode 18
Aired Mar 15, 2016
A Shot in the Dark
When a state trooper is killed in Maine, the getaway car is traced back to the mastermind of the attacks on Jane.
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