Alas, CBS decides to put 'Guardian' back on

From:Detroit Free Press
Date:April 5, 2004
BY MIKE DUFFY

In the Nick of time, CBS came to its senses.

Just three weeks into an extremely low-rated life, the futuristic legal drama "Century City" has been killed off by the Eye network.

And that means "The Guardian," starring Simon Baker as tortured soul and Pittsburgh attorney Nick Fallin, returns at 9 p.m. Tuesday on CBS to reclaim the time slot that had been temporarily filled by illin' "Century City."

It's an early homecoming for "The Guardian," which had not been scheduled to escape from Hiatusville until April 27. That's good news. But the future for Baker and his show are still somewhat hazy, with "The Guardian" resting on the ratings bubble for a fall season renewal.

But "Century City's" quick demise can't hurt.

Nick Fallin, a recovering drug abuser with all kinds of emotional issues, is one of the few dark, complicated and truly interesting lead characters hanging out in a leading role on CBS's lineup. It's a lineup that often favors relatively stiff, one dimensional male protagonists like Mark Harmon of "NAVY NCIS," Craig T. Nelson of "The District" or David James Elliott of "JAG."

Thanks to Baker's fine, nuanced performance, the honestly flawed humanity of Nick Fallin makes him a borderline antihero. Dabney Coleman's support presence doesn't hurt either. Refreshing.