The gold standard, and aside from Hallmark Hall of Fame flicks, last remaining network TV movie series, Jesse Stone, debuts its latest installment, Jesse Stone: Benefit of the Doubt, this Sunday night at 9 pm/8c on CBS.
For the uninitiated, Stone is based on the Robert B. Parker character, and the movies have been a mix of based-on-novels and new stories. Series star Tom Selleck has the film rights to all of the books and he’s very lovingly adapted the character and the source material into an impeccable set of movies.
When we last left Jesse, he was still out as Paradise police chief and newly reeling from the death of a young girl he’d previously known and been unable to save. This time, in Benefit of the Doubt, he’s still trying to get his job back while he works a double murder case. As anyone who’s a fan of these films (there have been seven so far) can tell you, plot is incidental to character.
The real joy is watching Jesse meander through the relationships with the wonderful cast of characters who populate his past and present lives in Boston and Paradise. Back for this film are one of the best acting companies you’ll find–regular players Kathy Baker, Kohl Sudduth, Stephen McHattie, William Devane, William Sadler, Gloria Reuben, and Saul Rubinek.
If you’re looking for a fast-paced thriller, this isn’t it. If you’re looking for top-notch writing, acting and character development, with a bonus travelogue of Halifax, Nova Scotia (where Syfy’s Haven also films), get comfortable. They really don’t make many TV movies like this anymore. I love that Tom Selleck made continuing this series a caveat of his role on Blue Bloods.
And while we’re very happy the films have a regular May home on CBS (after they sat on one of the films for a year), we’re disappointed that the network hasn’t updated its website for the new film to let people know it’s on this weekend. Thankfully our friends at IMdB have a few clips to tease us. Â Jesse Stone: Benefit of the Doubt airs Sunday night at 9 pm/8 c on CBS.
P.S. — You can catch the first seven movies in regular rotation on Hallmark Movie Channel and on DVD.
The Promo
A Clip
John Griffin and Harold Perrineau Talk From on EPIX Season 1 Finale
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Elizabeth Saunders Talks EPIX’s From
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Corteon Moore Talks From “Broken Windows, Open Doors”
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Pegah Ghafoori Talks From “All Good Things…”
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Shaun Majumder Talks From “Book 74”
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Avery Konrad Talks About Sara’s Struggle in From “Silhouettes”
[Warning: Spoilers for tonight’s episode.] Over the course of the season so far on From, we’ve witnessed Sara’s battle against the voices telling her to to do terrible things, and tonight we saw her unravel further, threatening the Matthews and lashing out in a moment of terror with horrifying results….
Hannah Cheramy Talks From “Choosing Day”
[Warning: Spoilers for tonight’s episode.] Tonight, on EPIX’s From, the Matthews participate in the show’s version of the sorting hat, choosing where to call home–the town or Colony House. At the end of the episode, Julie makes the decision to split from her family and instead settle in with Fatima…
Ricky He Talks From “The Way Things Are Now”
[Warning: Spoilers for episode 102 of EPIX’s From.] Epix’s new series From is two episodes in and it’s already laying the groundwork for a seriously spooky season. Tonight’s episode demonstrated the careful balance of relief and horror that the show hits, with our characters’ worst fears realized, just not when…
Catching Up with Ted Lasso and Previewing Season 2
[Warning: General spoilers ahead.] The not so dirty little secret about how I approach a new series is that I sometimes make a call based on the headspace I’m in at the time. It’s been a minute since I’ve picked up a show after the first season and then binge…
Interview: Henri Esteve on Grown-ish Season 3
An interview with Henri Esteve, who plays Javi on Freeform’s Grown-ish. He talks about his season three experience.
What They Said: Three Revealing Conversations from Survivor’s Remorse “Closure”
WARNING: Spoilers for Survivor’s Remorse “Closure” The latest episode of Starz’s Survivor’s Remorse featured conversations that showed characters really digging deep into their thoughts, emotions and motivations.
Two Takes: The Catch “The Knock-Off”
Who can you trust? If this episode of The Catch was any indication, the answer is just about nobody. Betrayal was running rampant as Felicity (Shivani Ghai) arose from the dead to seduce-con Margot, Gretchen (Maria Thayer, Gotham, The Mindy Project) played gold-hearted Alice 2.0 before swindling Ethan, Tessa jumped…
What They Said: Top 3 Quotable Moments from Preacher “El Valero”
Both Quincannon and Jesse refuse to give up on what they each think is rightfully theirs. While Jesse is struggling to face the consequences of his actions, Quincannon has laid his past demons to rest and is hellbent on moving forward and putting Annville on the map again. Despite a…
What They Said: Favorite Quotes from Supergirl “Worlds Finest”
Oh, Supergirl. That ending was cold. But I can’t hate on you because the latest episode has quickly become one of my favorites.
What They Said: Top 4 Quotable Moments from Black Sails “XXIII”
The dialogue in “XXIII” is phenomenal. It’s always a fun ride when Black Sails carries its viewers along without giving them the chance to catch their breath. When an episode moves at this unforgiving pace, there is no chance for a breather nor is there a respite from the information…
What Lucifer Said: Favorite quotes from Supernatural “O Brother, Where Art Thou?”
Supernatural episodes are almost always funny but thanks to the dialogue and a certain man speaking said dialogue, I laughed a lot during “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” You know, when I wasn’t busy fearing for Sam’s life or wondering what in the world was going on with Dean and…
What They Said: The Flash, “Legends Of Today” and Arrow, “Legends Of Yesterday”
Two nights of Arrow + The Flash = what more could we ask for?! I don’t know what it is about blending these shows, but I can’t help but feel that every time they come together, they somehow become greater than the sum of their parts. And that’s saying a lot…
What they Said: Top 4 Quotable Moments from Graceland “Little Bo Bleep”
Shoot outs. Fake outs. And long-awaited revelations. “Little Bo Bleep” was a jam-packed episode that wrapped up some loose ends and totally frayed others. Â It finally gave us one Sarkissian in jail and pulled back the curtain on Briggs’ master plan, but it also set up Jakes for a world…
What They Said: Favorite Quotes from Poldark “Part 4”
“What have I told you, I don’t require my wife to crochet and sip tea, but I do require her to remember she’s not a beast of burden.†No, I’m not talking about The Rolling Stones! I have to admit though, just for a second, the lyrics popped into my…