Nash Bridges

Nash Bridges is back on television. Thank you WGN America! I have not seen this show since the 90’s, and am now able to DVR episodes and watch on a regular basis. I remember being full of anticipation, rushing home in time for the premiere episode, turning on my television just in time, having the first scene hold my attention, and being impressed with the opening sequence. San Francisco is a beautiful city and the perfect setting for the action comedy series.

Don Johnson is excellent as the twice divorced police inspector, “Nash Bridges,” who accumulates more vacation time than anyone else on the force. He is determined to work around the clock fighting crime and seeing justice is done. Besides, he is down on luck with women so why not spend every minute on the job? Speaking of women, Nash’s ex-wives could not be more different. Annette O’Toole plays his first wife, “Lisa,” who is also the mother of his daughter, “Cassidy,” played by Jodi Lyn O’Keefe. She and Nash communicate well as long as they do not get too intimate or spend a lot of time together. On the other hand, Serena Scott Thomas plays Nash’s second wife, “Kelly,” who is a passionate romantic; one wonders why they even divorced because they are very intimate.

For the second season, Cheech Marin begins playing Nash’s partner, “Joe Dominguez.” Marin’s comedic timing and chemistry with Johnson are incredible and give the series a special quality, setting Nash Bridges apart from other series’ like it. Also, with the character “Joe” viewers are introduced to his wife, “Inger,” played by Caroline Lagerfelt. “Inger” is Swedish and when her mother comes to live with her and “Joe” in San Francisco there are some funny things that happen such as Inger’s mother getting romantically involved with Nash’s father, “Nick,” played by James Gammon.

I could go on more about the cast, because throughout the series’ six seasons there was always a great one. Jeff Perry is amazing as “Harvey.” Perry is an actor who I wish I could see more; visit his official Web site at http://www.geocities.com/saxon777/Jeff_Perry.html. He is so natural and believable as a San Francisco police inspector. He is an actor with wonderful comedic and dramatic ability. We see him in most episodes providing the show’s special comedic moments and being a reliable co-worker, but also in episodes when a relationship did not exactly work out right and he is not such a good father to his child where he is given the opportunity to show he is also a dramatic performer. My other favorites throughout the series are Jaime Gomez as “Evan,” Mary Mara as “Bryn,” Cress Williams as “Antwon,” Yasmine Bleeth as “Caitlin,” Wendy Moniz as “Rachel,” Daniel Roebuck as the very goofy “Richard Bettina,” Kelly Hu as “Michelle,” and Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa who I wish could have played “A.J.” for more than just nine episodes. There are also many other actors who had recurring roles that provided some interesting and fun storylines, including the WWE wrestler Stone Cold Steve Austin and Tracey Walter as “Angel” who really thought he could fly!

Each episode of Nash Bridges is like watching a movie. The realization that you are watching a television show only becomes apparent when a commercial breaks in. The series can be formulaic but is not serialized. And, thank goodness, not all episodes end with a car chase. Uniquely, throughout the hour Nash visits (or calls) his daughter or one of his ex-wives, letting viewers know he is not all cop.

Nash Bridges is an entertaining and intelligent series. I like seeing Johnson on Miami Vice as “Sonny Crockett,” and was uncertain whether I would adjust to seeing him in another weekly television series. Several years later I see the Nash Bridges character is very different. Not only does Nash wear socks, but he is older, wiser, and calmer. It is nice seeing Don Johnson on television in a successful series. I truly enjoy watching Nash Bridges, and look forward to seeing him on another quality show.