TV Underdogs: Should ‘Major Crimes’ season 4 bring us more of Andy Flynn?
There are few characters within the world of “Major Crimes” that are as well-known to us as Andy Flynn. He’s been around from the early days of “The Closer,” and has gone from a potential adversary to Brenda to one of the most likable characters in this universe. Also, his relationship with Sharon is a personal highlight since it shows the natural progression of a great friendship into something so much more.
So while we’ve gotten to see Tony Denison do a lot of great stuff during season 4 in particular, that is not stopping us from asking us what else we could see in the future on TNT. That’s the subject for our latest chapter in our TV Underdogs series.
Why he’s an underdog – Just look at his arc for season 4B: He was hospitalized, in danger, and had to work his way back into being a part of the force once more. He’s someone who has become a popular character because of Denison’s performance, his character’s relationship with Sharon, and also how he interacts with other members of the team and works to get the job done. Even when the odds are stacked against him, you want to root for him.
Why you don’t see more of him – You do see a great deal of Andy on “Major Crimes” (at least proportional to see other under-utilized people we’ve spotlighted in this series), but you also have to remember that this is a rather large ensemble, and to go along with that he’s not the lead. Therefore, there will inevitably be stories that don’t involve him, and cases that will put him in more of a background role.
Ways to give him more airtime – We are always fascinating with seeing more of someone’s past, so how about going back to before Andy even knew Sharon for a case or two? Introduce some people who he had some past connections with that maybe knew a different side of him; or, maybe showcase some more of the romantic side of the character. Given that TNT has been moving away from some of their long-running crime dramas, there should be almost a carpe-diem feel to the rest of season 4 and season 5. Why not show us what an engagement or a wedding between the two would look like? It would be a dream for many fans who have followed the characters so closely over the years.
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smartsenior
January 17, 2016 @ 4:15 pm
Boy, I don’t see how you could be more wrong. Shows like this have a careful balance that fans like and they lose their way by taking your kind of advice. No, they don’t need Andy’s life history, stuff like that throws everything off and repels viewers. Just stick to the format of solid ensemble performers who give us a glimpse of their personal life and solve the crime with smarts and some quips. Look at all the shows who changed the winning formula, lost fans and got cancelled. Just stick to what works, the viewers like the predictability of your format and usually react poorly to a major change. I’m really surprised that a reviewer would say this, usually it’s a massive ego need by one of the ensemble (Good Wife) or the writers getting bored (Castle), change is never demanded by the fans.
Scooter
January 17, 2016 @ 7:05 am
I like the Andy Flynn character very much (like I do all of them, by the way) but I think you are right, he is part of an excellent ensemble with Sharon Raydor at it’s core and it should stay that way. I wasn’t very enthusiastic about that whole Sharon-Andy business in the beginning and I still think he is no match for her but it has been handled with great delicacy and I fairly enjoy it now. Maybe there should be some development but nothing that would suggest a conclusion.
As for Andy’s screentime, I think more might be too much. There are his interactions with the others (especially Provenza, which I still enjoy) and now especially with Sharon and even with Rusty. More of Andy Flynn might harm the careful balance that has been maintained through the seasons.
I would rather like to see more of some of the others. Mike Tao has been a little underused in the current season and his personal life has rarely been mentioned. Amy Sykes had her moments in the summer (“Snitch” was one of my favorite episodes so far in season 4) but hasn’t had much to do since then. Julio’s story arc is still waiting for a conclusion.
Thanks to the general composition of the show all characters, the main cast as well as the recurring characters, are carefully evolved. In my mind this is truly an asset and a destinction against other, more conventional procedurals. I sincerely hope that we will be able to enjoy a lot more of this excellent story telling.
As for now I am really looking forward to the Five-episode arc starting in February. The concept of a multi-episode arc seems to somehow fit this particular show.
quinquin
January 17, 2016 @ 1:44 pm
You’re right. More Andy Flynn would definitely harm the balance. It’s perfect the way it is. – I’m glad, by the way, that you didn’t like the idea of Sharon and Andy being a couple in the first place. I wasn’t so sure about that either.
Naomi B.
January 16, 2016 @ 9:45 pm
Love the character of Andy Flynn, particularly now with Sharon in the mix. They are such a cute couple and felt that they would be a good mix ever since S6 of The Closer. I think we are definitely seeing more of Andy Flynn (and I love it). He has always been one of my favorites on the show. I love that we are also seeing a ton of growth in him, as well. That “Sharon Effect” is really working! I can still remember his sexist comments that made me want to slap him in S1 of The Closer.
On that note, I highly disagree with you. No marriage/engagement between SR and AF now because it would signal the end of the show and that I am definitely not ready for. That can be saved for the last season! Besides, let’s get to a point that we are seeing a “true” relationship outside the office like we saw with Brenda and Fritz. Something more than glances before we actually talk marriage or even engagement.
Reading numerous articles on the subject, I am taking Kevin Reilly at his word with what he has said about Major Crimes. I can partly understand his reasoning for why R&I was cancelled, but don’t quite trust that he won’t make some boneheaded knee-jerk move because he has a brain-fart one day that tells him to cancel the show. There is a stability with this show right now and, I think, he recognizes that FOR NOW. I would still like this asshat to explain what took five months to give approval for season 5.
Coming from someone who is within the “demographic, given the high level of crap shows that they are promoting for next season, I predict a massive cancellation for this network again like we saw this season.
Scooter
January 17, 2016 @ 7:12 am
I couldn’t agree more. Thanks for the clear words you found, especially in the last two paragraphs.