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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Mel O&#039;Drama" data-source="post: 261381" data-attributes="member: 23">Jaime’s Shield (Parts I and II) <img src="https://metadata-static.plex.tv/7/gracenote/77f228b7d43ce9017b455a5cc35c3305.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="width: 571px" /> Whether it’s immortalised in the Charlie’s Angels opening titles or satirised in the endless 1980s film series there’s something fascinating about the police academy. It’s somewhat otherworldly while being earthy and even gritty. For all its exotic inaccessibility, anyone who’s been to school can relate to the dynamics: the dull classes; the drab "uniform" of pale grey; the bullying tutors on the sports field; the banter and cliques among students. Then there’s the residential aspect which, in this case, feels very much like a sorority house. It’s an environment just bursting with possibilities. Add to this a plot about Jaime enrolling to try and find a foreign spy who has also enrolled, and there’s a genuine frisson of excitement. The supporting cast aren’t just new friends. They’re also suspects. In a way, the spy plot is secondary to the fun that’s gained from seeing Jaime in this new environment, and seeing the bonding that happens and how everyone copes with the various challenges. The guest cast for this two-parter feel like quality additions. There’s some great chemistry onscreen. Diane Civita is great as Arleen, who comes with a nice little sub-plot about being there undercover to prove herself to her father who has forbidden her from enrolling, despite him being the Police Commissioner who has not only launched the recruitment drive for women but also helped Jaime go undercover. If this isn’t enough, Arleen’s staunch “I may be related but I’m here on my own merits” angle takes on yet more depth when one considers that Diane Civita is the writer’s wife. Diane’s very impressive body of work over many decades suggests that she has indeed proven herself. And I like to think Arleen’s continued to prove herself as well. Perhaps she ended up as Commissioner herself. Archie Johnson does nice work as Commissioner Hart. He’s one of several gruff men who add to the gritty, rough round the edges tone of these episodes. There are also two captains - one with a dirty little secret. And then there’s Sergeant Bob Welton. We first meet him giving Jaime a speeding ticket, establishing the tone of the relationship between the two of them. He has a terrifically brash take no prisoners attitude, and he spends a great deal of time making Jaime’s life miserable. George Maharis is perfect in the role, with an intense Ray Liottaesque scowl that’s enough to make anyone weak at the knees. Naturally, there’s a journey there, and there’s more to Bob than meets the eye. By story’s end, he’s Jaime’s hero and there’s talk of a date. I really wish they’d followed up on this, as the chemistry was really good and George would have made a really nice recurring addition to the cast. And it hurt not that he was very easy on the eye. <img src="https://www.televisionofyore.com/uploads/9/3/0/3/9303799/season2-episode13-7_1_orig.jpeg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" />Speaking of characters not being what they seem, there’s also Rebecca Balding as the hopeless Parker who didn’t make graduation. She was extremely likeable, which worked perfectly for the story. The twist, I fear, could be seen coming from miles away like a huge red van at the academy gates. But this is down to the less sophisticated storytelling of the era. Rebecca did a really nice job with a role that required different approaches for different scenes. It’s played a little broad, but that works here. It’s even more impressive when considering that this is Rebecca’s first screen role and she was barely twenty here. There are some liberties taken - such as Jaime apparently abandoning her class long enough to enrol at, and graduate from, the police academy and begin work as an officer. But the characters and story are so engaging, these are easily overcome. </blockquote>

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