‘Indefensible’ Story Line Falls Apart
Some TV movies start out with the very best of intentions.
In CBS’ “Indefensible: The Truth About Edward Brannigan” at 9, Brian Dennehey stars in the title role as a powerful lawyer caught in what could be an intelligent and topical drama, the kind of thing you discuss with friends for days.
Here’s what you see: Brannigan and Rebecca Daly (Alice Krige) have only recently met but are mutually attracted.
Left alone after a dinner party, sitting before a romantic fire, he makes the first move. She encourages his kisses. He unbuttons her blouse. She protests quietly but kisses him again.
In the next scene, she is teary-eyed. They have had sex even though she said no. She tells police she has been raped.
But there are signs she is somewhat emotionally unstable; she is certainly uncomfortable about the whole affair. Krige, who has a fragility and tentativeness about her, is perfect for such a character.
Has Brannigan been unjustly accused?
That would make an intriguing movie. But the tone changes rapidly with some heavy-handed twists that expose Brannigan as the brute he is.
What began as a tense psychodrama becomes a didactic soap opera as flashbacks reveal the awful truth.
Certainly “no” is all a woman needs to say when she doesn’t want to have sex. We hear it loud and clear.
But moviemakers should aim higher than a public-service announcement. Turning Dennehy into a monster tears the guts out this story.
Highlights
“Grace Under Fire,” ABC at 8: The series returns with a pair of new faces: a construction supervisor named D.C. (Don “D.C.” Curry) and a hairdresser named Dot (Lauren Tom). But the season premiere has a stale theme: Grace (Brett Butler) once again feels awful about work keeping her from spending more time with her kids.
Two of those kids (Kaitlin Cullum, Sam Horrigan), by the way, have grown way past the cute stage. The writers need to treat them accordingly.
“Home Alone 2: Lost in New York” (1992), FOX at 8: The violent slapstick that marked the first “Home Alone” wears thin this time as Kevin (Macaulay Culkin) boards the wrong plane and ends up in New York. Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern return as the hapless Wet Bandits.
“Nova,” KSPS at 7: “Avalanche” examines the tremendous force of the mountain killers. Included are interviews with people who have survived the crushing slides.
“Soul Man,” ABC at 8:30: Donna Dixon gueststars as a pregnant houseguest Mike (Dan Aykroyd) invites for Thanksgiving, leaving the congregation gossiping.
“NewsRadio,” NBC at 8:30: In Khandi Alexander’s series farewell, her character Catherine abruptly resigns, leaving the staff to reconstruct moments leading up to her shocking announcement. The wildly varied accounts are amusing, but it’s not one of the show’s best efforts.
“Frasier,” NBC at 9: There’s a new love interest for Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) when Lindsay Frost guest-stars as a lawyer who has dated some of the most famous men in the world.
“Home Improvement,” ABC at 9: What kind of trouble can Tim (Tim Allen) find at Detroit’s Silverdome? How about a blackout in the middle of a Lions game? Rodney Dangerfield guest-stars.
Cable Calls
“Stone Country,” TNN at 5 and 9: This may grate on the nerves of both country fans and Rolling Stones disciples. Country artists take a shot at the Stone’s greatest hits.
Among the performers: Travis Tritt (“Honky Tonk Woman”); Deana Carter (“Ruby Tuesday”); Blackhawk (“Wild Horses”); Rodney Crowell (“Jumpin’ Jack Flash”); and Sammy Kershaw (“Angie”).
Talk Time
“Tonight,” NBC at 11:35: Roma Downey (“Touched By An Angel”) and eating champ Barry Noble.
“Late Show With David Letterman,” CBS at 11:35: Actress Marisa Tomei and singer James Taylor.
“Politically Incorrect With Bill Maher,” ABC at 12:05 a.m.: Sammy Hagar, Kathy Griffin and author Cornel West.
“The Late Late Show With Tom Snyder,” CBS at 12:35 a.m.: Medical ethicist Dr. Art Caplan.
“Late Night With Conan O’Brien,” NBC at 12:35 a.m.: Singer Garth Brooks, actress Sigourney Weaver and actor Frank Gorshin.