Don’t get me started on Marshall and Mary. With only eight episodes in the final season and Marshall seeing truth in the sixth episode, I knew we wouldn’t see the resolution we all wanted. In terms of balance, everyone needs somebody. Mary’s there for her family, Marshall’s there for her, and Abigail’s there for Marshall. Considering Marshall always supports Mary and rarely vice versa, I knew Marshall would maintain the engagement. All the same, I call balls on the ending.
Mary and Marshall are soulmates. Not to see them retire together in matching side-by-side weelchairs snarking at each other and everyone else in the retirement home feels unfathomable. Sure I called it in last week’s episode, Marshall runs to Mary out of habit and friendship. Yes, I loved listening to them describe their undefinable relationship as undefinable in the finale. Yes, logic dictates Marshall and Abigail belong together, but my heart screams that Marshall and Mary belong together. I probably wouldn’t call balls if their relationship discussion lasted longer than five flippant minutes.
While IMDB and Epguides haven’t released the writer’s name yet, part of me suspects David Naples wrote this epiode because of its similarity to the premiere. But, part of me suspects that Ed Decter wrote it, because of its similarity to season four’s writing.
The other reason I felt dissapointed is because of the lack of emotional investment. Episodes one through seven constituted increasing emotional intensity, episode eight did not. I understand wanting to end on a high note, but that didn’t mean sacrificing the intensity and quality we’ve come to associate with In Plain Sight. Also, the cleverly titled “All’s Well that Ends” lacked the emotional investment of the previous episodes, as if the actors already said their farewells and come to grips with the show’s closure off-stage. I felt cheated not witnessing that emotion on-screen.
Finally, I wanted more continuation of the emotions and plots from last week. After all that build up of Mary’s father and her father’s other family, ending on a quiet wake at Mary’s house, felt odd. Couldn’t they have had one mini-call with their sister (even if we didn’t see Laura Prepon’s face)? Everything else that happened this week, including Stan saving the office and Mary getting a new man, felt like filler. Note: it makes sense that Stan would get promoted, likewise with Marshall. Regarding Stan, haven’t people continuously lauded his office and his skills? It never made sense that the most decorated office and officers would feel the chopping block. However, doesn’t saving their office mean another office will get cut?
Luckily, the final scene hit on every single thing I liked about the show: comradarie, fellowship, and sincerity. I loved the final five minutes of Mary and Marshall’s shared glance and their small aside about Mary’s paramour, indicating they will forever remain Mary and Marshall. I loved the final five minutes of the cast around the table signifying what the show represents: family and togetherness. And, yes, I do like Josh Hopkins who can play alpha to Mary’s alpha as a potential partner (between this and his Cougartown role, I’m beginning to suspect he’s the go-to over-30 male hottie).
In Plain Sight could’ve stretched out all summer, but clearly USA wanted to release the new show in In Plain Sight’s old slot. While this epiode was not the best, I will still miss In Plain Sight.
Farewell, Mary Shannon. We love you.
Clacked by An Nicholson 
on May 04, 2012 @ 23:05 EST5EDT
Well said. I had imagined a scene where long suffering Marshall was near Mary and they talked like they talk. With Marshall near Mary’s hair, loving her but not willing or able to say he loved her, we see Mary (and I thought this would be a fantastic opportunity for an actress of Mary McCormack’s caliber . . . ) chuckle quietly at a Marshallism, maybe agree with seven reasons Marshall is saying they should be together, smell his cologne and then realize (a slow, intense creeping realization) that the answer to her dreams is Marshall and that not only does she love him, but that she’s loved him for a long time. From the moment of realization it might take a full minute (an exquisite minute, a minute I’ve waited 5 years for) for Mary’s eyes to widen as she begins to comprehend that the love of her life has been right there in front of her, loving her and nurturing her for a long time. It makes so much sense! Then, before the kiss, Mary and Marshall spend a moment looking into each other’s eyes with the joy that comes from knowing that the one you love loves you back. It’s one of the best moments you can have on this earth.
I know, I know. I’m no writer. It’s just that they teased us with the possibility of this for so long that I really wanted it to be something. I loved the show and the characters/actors. I just wanted the love I was shown.
When Mary entered Babiesville, I thought it might jump the shark, but really enjoyed that she kept her sarcasm. Although a lot in the show was improbable, I thought Marshall and Mary falling into each other’s arms in the last episode would have been preposterous. I like how they hinted at it, and then made it go away.
This show had a lot going for it, especially smart funny writing and good acting. However, I also loved that, like Breaking Bad, it was in Albuquerque and surrounding areas. I didn’t know much about witness protection and found that element fascinating too. I liked the stories of the witnesses and seeing their new beginnings.
Mary was irreparably damaged from being abandoned by her father, but when faced with an accidental birth, came to realize that by loving and caring for this baby, she would eventually heal and accept life for what it was, just as her clients were forced to do. Not depending on any one man to care for her or love her forever, she herself could give the baby the life she didn’t have.
The other theme I liked was how Mary’s childhood suffering and pain made her so good at her job, helping people deal with separation yet understanding the criminal mind.