reeseslightning

Joe Kenda is an amazing narrator. Very well done series in general as the re-enactments really place you in the moment. It has a modern feel with a twinge of nostalgia while Kenda provides a presence similar to what Humphrey Bogart is in Maltese Falcon or even Nick Charles from The Thin Man. I know the 9th season is its last but I hope one day Kenda will reconsider. Even if they are "simple" cases, it is not the content that intrigues, it is the man himself. That is a rare feat in today's surge of true-crime series popping up.

Taking off the nostalgic blinders from my childhood, I realized that Jessica Bowman completely changed the character. With Flores, Colleen had a presence and rather strong, stubborn personality. She whined of course like any pre-teen but she was able to shrug things off quickly. Bowman disappears; her take on the characters perpetually kept Colleen at a rather childish level - pouting, complaining, fearful, shy, and for some reason can't find a properly fitting jacket. Aesthetically, Bowman's Colleen resembled more of an actual blood relative of Dr. Mike's and acted accordingly. It just felt weird to see this once tough blossoming teenage girl with dreams and aspirations and who once cross trekked on a cattle drive, be turned into a simpering spoilt child.

Of course, the show is flawed in other areas but their flaws are also what makes them so relatable. Still a great show with surprisingly modern storylines but watching Colleen's complete 180 just flat out stinks. .