Golden Boy

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For those of you who don't know, I absolutely love TV and books. I may or may not want to live a fantasy land. So I thought I would write about my love, annoyance and frustration with the shows I watch- and of course my own reality.

First off, have you seen 'Golden Boy' on CBS.

(Detectives Clark, Arroyo and Owen; courtesy of tvline.com)

A new show that is only four episodes in and man am I addicted already! For starters, Theo James plays Detective Walter William Clark Jr- you could just look at him all day and not get bored! Then there is Kevin Alejandro as Detective Tony Arroyo (who is known for his role as Jesus in True Blood). In True Blood he portrays a relatively nice guy but in Golden Boy is walks the line of a dirty cop with small signs of a good guy still inside. The complete role reversal shows the ability of being an actor. Plus who doesn't love a bad boy. The other main detective is Don Owen, portrayed by Chi McBride, (Human Target and Boston Public) who is partners with Clark. There is some bad blood between Owen and Arroyo that keeps the viewers guessing and Arroyo stirs the pot with Clark right from the start. Rounding out the team of detectives is Deb McKenzie and Joe Diaco, portrayed by Bonnie Somerville (NYPD Blue) and Holt McCallany (CSI: Miami). McKenzie is partners with Arroyo and also in an intimate relationship that is kept secret until Clark sees them kissing outside a bar. Clark is the only one that seems to know about this. McKenzie brings the rough and tough girl aspect to the show and Diaco seems to bring some of the humor.

The really cool thing about this show though is how it is set in the present but also has a flash forward element to it. Most shows today seem to have a flash black element so this is a different spin. At the beginning of each show (so far) it starts out in the flash forward part- 7 years to be exact. Detective Clark is now the Commissioner and the youngest one at that, ever. The show is about how he got there- the present time of the show.

With all the chest pumping going on between the three main detectives and some of what the flash forwards tell you, it leaves this giant climax coming and you just don't know how it going to go. It almost feels like you are watching a movie and not a tv show. I can't wait to see where this show is going and hope that others are fans of it because I don't want to see it get axed any time soon.

Episode 5 Review

Tuesday nights mean we get to see our new TV hunk Theo James! Golden Boy was all new this week, giving us the fifth episode in the series. Not all men look good in a suit... but this one sure does.

This episode titled 'Vicious Cycle' focuses on the death of an airport supervisor who happens to be the brother of detective Owen's former criminal informant. This of course brings up a lot of things from the past between Owen and detective Arroyo about that certain criminal informant- Rochelle.

The shows starts with detective Clark adjusting to his hangover from all the drinking the  night before. His sister Agnes (Stella Maeve) fills him in on the things he said and did that night- including what he said to detective McKenzie about how she was to good for Arroyo. Clark realize this is not a good thing, as he was not suppose to say anything to McKenzie about how he knew that Arroyo and her were together. This was an agreement he made with Arroyo and Arroyo wouldn't do anything with the audio tape he had of Clark giving Natasha money from evidence.

After that the show gets into the crime solving aspect, we see Owen take over the case from Arroyo and he tells everyone to back off basically. We learn that April- Rochelle's sister, isn't a fan of Owen, that she doesn't trust him anymore. At this point we start to learn little pieces of the puzzle between Arroyo and Owen. Owen informs us that he made mistake too. 

Owen spends most of this episode really annoying his coworkers and the viewers. He pushes others and wants to be the lead on everything no matter who he upsets.

We also meet Nora- Clark and Agnes' mother. She is just coming out of rehab and wants to be in her children's life again. Clark isn't sure about this but after some advise from his partner he decides to give his mother a chance.

Later in the episode when the team gets a break in the case, they had for a hotel trying to catch the suspect- who happens to be April's boyfriend, Dominic. This is where we learn more from Arroyo about Owen. Arroyo sits on this break for an hour because he wanted to give Owen first dibs. That hour could have helped them get the suspect and hour earlier, instead he is in the wind. Arroyo informs us all, including McKenzie and Clark that Owen was sleeping with Rochelle. Owen spends some time explaining the situation to Clark. Clark lets him know that "we all make mistakes and the his respect for him (Owen) is concrete." Owen also comes clean with Rochelle's sister April about his relationship with Rochelle.

With Clark's help, Owen gets April to tell him where  Dominic-her boyfriend, the suspect is. They set up a meeting and end up checking him. After the interrogation, Dominic realize he has been caught because the evidence is to high against him.

Towards the end of the episode, Arroyo tries to get alone time with McKenzie to apologize for the previous night and she turns him down and lets him know "not tonight." Clark tells Agnes the truth about their mother and she isn't very happy about it. Clark lets her know if she wants a meeting their mother he will set it up. Agnes wants the meeting. They meet and embrace in a hug- Nora tells Clark "thank you."

The episode ends with a flash forward to Commissioner Clark in a meeting with an advocacy group, Urban Healing Council- that April is now the speaker of.

I'm loving how the pieces of Arroyo and Owen's past partnership is coming out. It is really filling in the gaps of this heated rivalry between them. Also is something going to happen between McKenzie and Clark? Is that part of the downward spiral that Arroyo seems to have or that is alluded to in the first episode flash forward.

Episode 6- "Just Say No"


I didn't realize that I hadn't wrote a review from Episode 6- "Just Say No". I left for vacation the following day and didn't think about it. So a quick review on what happens before I go into Episode 7.

Episode 6- the case they work is about the death of a wealthy philanthropist who was a former drug addict. She marries into the wealthy family and starts an organization to help drug addicts. Turns out that her husband is a current drug addict and she found his drugs and flushed them down the drain- which made him snap, grab something and hit her. That hit to the head killed her. 

Character stories from this episode involve McKenzie and Arroyo freaking out because they think Arroyo's wife has found out about them because she wants to talk to McKenzie. Turns out Arroyo's birthday is coming up and she wants to know how to shoot so they can go to the shooting range together and she wants McKenzie to teach her. Turns out she is a pretty good shot... McKenzie starts to distance herself from Arroyo. Clark's mother is bothered by a loan shark she owes money to. Clark doesn't have the money to help her deal with him but with Owen's help he pays the money to the loan shark. We learn a little about his passed when he is talking to his mother, involving his father case. It seems he lied for his father so he could be his alibi when he was younger.

7 years from now: Clark has a meeting with the City Council President- who just happens to hate him. AND he just happens to be the father-in-law of the philanthropist that was killed this episode. He needs the presidents vote. Later he persuades the presidents vote when he plays his way and shows him pictures of the president with an unknown women that is not his wife in a sexual encounter.

Episode 7- "McKenzie On Fire"

The case- A shooting of two girls- one dead on scene and another one on the way to the hospital (sisters). At the scene McKenzie recognize the bullet used because it was the same one used in the death of her brother two years ago. There seems to be an Irish connection between two families in the neighborhood. Turns out the suspect is a serial rapist and raped the the living sister two years ago. McKenzie's brother walked up on the assault and tried to stop it- only to be killed for it. They end up getting him because he saves something from every rape and McKenzie's brothers watch.

The character stories starts off with Arroyo trying to work his way back to McKenzie. She tells him she wants her space. She also talks to Clark about how he must know about her and Arroyo and ask him not to tell people. He promise he would never make her personal life public knowledge. During the case, McKenzie becomes impatient with doing things the legal way and goes after the suspect ready to kill him. Clark follows her and stops her before she does something she will regret. At the end of the episode, McKenzie tells Arroyo that they need to strictly be partners and that's it from now on.

Nothing really important on the flash forward this week.

Let me know your thoughts on the episode below. Next weeks episode sounds like it will again ignite the feud between Arroyo and Owen, should be interesting.


Episode 8- "Scapegoat"

The case- death of a city councilman. Owen gets the lead not to Arroyo's liking. They are both up for a promotion. Owen for grade 2 detective and Arroyo for grade 1 detective. Arroyo plays fake about trying to work together, that if they do this case right they should both make grade. That was all a joke because Arroyo plays dirty and gets IA (internal affairs) sent on Owen about using the police car for personal use. By doing that it takes Owen out of the running for the promotion because IA has to finish the case they are working on. Clark and Owen end up solving the case- turns out to be the son of the councilman. With Owen getting the collar for solving the case it also makes Arroyo out of the running for the promotion for this cycle also. 

Character stories- Clark's mother tries to get Agnus a shot in the music industry but Clark isn't sure about it. Agnus ask McKenzie for help to check the background of a music producer that her mom set up a meeting for. Arroyo gets McKenzie stuck in another unsafe situation in a crap bar trying to get a person of interest. Agnus gets stood up by her mother, McKenzie runs into her at the diner while she is waiting for her mom. They decide to get something to eat together. Clark gives a story to a newspaper writer about the case making sure Owen gets the credit he deserves.

Nothing really important in the flash forward this week. Clark is having a press conference. Biggest thing there was he eluded to something about Owen not being around anymore again.

Tune in next week. Five straight weeks of new episodes coming!

Episode 9- "Atonement"

This weeks episode has a few different things going on around the case and the character interactions. Most this episode surrounds Clark and the return of Natasha.

The case- The death of a priest, who was stabbed numerous times. A blood trail leads them to find Natasha. Those of you who don't remember, Natasha was in episode 2. She got caught stealing by Clark and offered up the knowledge of knowing where a dead body was to get an easier sentence on her crime. Arroyo also hit her to force information out of her. Everyone but Clark pretty much believes she is good for the crime. She does everything she can to convince them she didn't do it. Clark believes her and while she is suppose to be transported her decides to follow a lead she gave him with her. She is separated from him with the new suspect. Once Clark and the team track her down with the suspect he forces her into a truck and drives off. Clark follows and watches the suspect shoot Natasha in the truck and dump her. Clark stops to save her. They end up using her phone Clark gave her to track where the tuck is. They find the suspect and he admits to killing the priest. Natasha as of now made it out of surgery and is still alive.

The character stories- Clark's sister Agnus continues to search for their mother. She asks McKenzie for help tracking her phone. McKenzie says she doesn't feel comfortable looking into the family business without Clark knowing. McKenzie tells her this is the last favor she will do for Agnus. Agnus ends up tracking her mother to a hotel on the lower end of the city where she works as some kind of janitor gig. She tells Agnus she felt bad telling her about the music gig and not being able to follow through with it and then even more embarrassed about her job so she went into hiding to avoid Agnus; something Clark warned Agnus about.  Clark continues to see the newspaper writer and next week this stories comes into play about Clark looking like he leaked information to her for an article.

Let me know you thoughts on the episode. Will Clark get in trouble for what he did with taking Natasha with him on that lead? Will she survive that gun shot since we know that she dies at some point from the previous flash forward from episode 2?

Episode 10- "Sacrifice"


The Case- The death of a missing teenager model hopeful. The reporter that Clark is seeing writes a story about the wanted suspect and confirms the source is creditable and everyone assume that Clark was the leak but he didn't tell her anything. Clark assumes Arroyo did it.  They end up catching the suspect, Neil before he leaves the city. While Owen and Clark are talking to the suspect about the victims mother, Arroyo interrupts and draws the attention away from the suspect and the father shows up at the same time. The father tries to shoot Neil and Clark runs and tackles him but he still fires off two shots. No one is harmed though. Arroyo gives no respect to Clark for saving his life and risking his own to drive after the father shooting. The guys figure out where they think the victim was killed. They bring Neil to the scene of the crime to try and get him to break and admit what he did. Neil finally admits to the crime.

Character Stories- Clark continues to see the reporter Margot knowing who she was previously married to (well still married to actually- haven't signed the papers yet). Arroyo sees them talking at the scene of the crime and suspects something is up and asks Owen about it. Arroyo pushing to find out who leaked the information to the newspaper. He meets with Margot and see tells him that it came from anonymous email and they couldn't trace it. Arroyo figures out that who it is and meets with him. It is the Deputy Mayor.... also known as Margo's future ex-husband. We learn the McKenzie may be seeing a new guy and Arroyo isn't to pleased about it. Arroyo in his own way apologizes to Clark. At the end of the episode Clark and Margot make up but our good friend the Deputy Mayor is watching on.

In the flash forward we see Clark making a statement at a parole hearing. At the end of the episode we find out that it is for his father. He suggest that they throw away the key and that it should have been done a long time ago. It just so happens that this episode Agnus begins to push the issue of their father and about getting him in their lives again.


Episode 11- "Longshot"

Case- A famous basketball player is murder and at the top of the suspect list is the trainer who is close with the ball players father from younger years, that just got out of jail. He spent 20 years in. Turns out that the players father is the one that kills the son over being replaced on the payroll.

Character stories- Clark has a run in with Carlton at Margo is apartment while the two were having a night in. They have a small discussion that doesn't really go good or bad but on the verge of having trouble to follow. Carlton says that they are good but you just don't get that vibe. Clark's mother gives him letters she found from a safety deposit box in their name, Clark is not interested in reading them. Arroyo tells McKenzie that he left his wife and that he did it so they could be together. McKenzie isn't sure what to think about it.. Until she overhears Arroyo on the phone with his wife telling her he loves her and will be home later. McKenzie threatens to end their partnership because he isn't the same man she use to know. Clark keeps the letters but check up on the bank account information and his mother comes clean- she found them in a box. Agnus overhears them talking- she tells them that she will continue to look into their father with or without their help. His mothers gets a phone call and it seems to be from Clark's father.

Other things that happened. Clark finds information that Carlton is possibly dirty and is involved in some shady stuff. Owen pays Carlton a visit and lets him know that he is aware of what is going on and his secrets. 

Episode 12 "Beast of Burden"

This episode starts out with a Clark and Margo shower scene where she ask him to move some "clothes" in since he has been staying over so many nights.

The case- an escort is found dead in a hotel room. The suspect of the case leads them right to Carlton. Owen lets Clark know that he needs to keep it together. After digging further, Margo's name get brought up. This escort had been seeing Carlton for over a year. Turns out Carlton gave a necklace to the escort that was Margo's grandmothers and Margo got it back and that why the escort filed a complaint against Margo. In the end Margo is cleared and Clark takes her home. Carlton blackmails Clark about his father and that he knows the truth that Clark was lying about being with his father that night long ago. He ask Clark to kill the real killer. While they are tracking the killer, Carlton is fleeing town. When the suspect shoots at Clark he has no choice but to shoot back- he hits him in the chest and he is dead instantly. The gun the suspect used was suppose to be in lock up in the evidence room and Clark is now under investigation and have to turn over his badge and weapons. Everyone assumes that Carlton did this. They head to his house to find him but he is already gone and show is his personal effects and clothes.

Character stories- Clark and Agnus' father shows up at the diner while Agnus is working. He tells her that he is her father. She stands shocked and that's all we get from them this episode. Diaco's get a little of his personal story told this episode. His father suffers from dementia and his sister and him are trying to deal with what to do. Arroyo helps Clark when Owen and him head to Carlton's. Even though they don't get along, Arroyo is not okay with anyone doing this to a cop.

Tune in next week of the series finale... yup you read that right. Golden Boy has been cancelled! So bummed to hear this early this week. How with the series shake out... Tune in Tuesday night to find out.

Episode 13- "Next Question"

So here is that last review of Golden Boy since this was the last episode in the series. I am so bummed that I will not see Theo James on my screen every week but hopefully we will see him on another show soon. Plus we all know he can rock a suit. On to the review..

Clark is assigned to desk duty still so Owen gives him his cold case file that we saw in the beginning of the season. This was Owen's first homicide case he worked which happened to take place on September 11, 2001 before the attacks. Most of this episode involves flashbacks to Owen on the job leading up to the attacks and after. His partner left the case to go and help with crowd control after the first plane hit and Owen continued to work the case. We later find out that his partner went into the towers to help people evacuate but did not make it out himself. We hear his message he left Owen on his cell phone. Clark works this case by himself mostly since everyone else is out working a live case. As he gets breaks- one being from his father; he pulls Owen in to get more information. Turns out that the one who was killed was case of mistaken identity and was never suppose to be killed. It was a drug turf rival conflict. One rival hired a hit-man to kill the other drug dealer and the man who was actually killed just looked a little to much like the drug dealer and was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Turns out his hit-man is linked to numerous unsolved murders over the year and the team ends up closed a bunch of cold cases. Clark gives Owen all the credit and Owen gets the collar and the promotion he deserves.

Meanwhile, Arroyo's wife finds out that he was having an affair but not with who. She gives him a suitcase and tells him not to come home. This makes him lose control. He tries to take Clark's case after the hit-man break so he can get his promotion. He tells Clark he will give this to him or he will release the tape of him giving Natasha the money to leave the city. When they leave to get ready to make the arrest Clark punches Arroyo and drags him into a room and handcuffs him to the pipes so he can't go. When Owen ask Clark where Arroyo is, Clark lets him know that Arroyo will be sitting this one out.

At the end of the episode Deputy Major Holbrook makes an appearance while Margo and Clark are having dinner. He tells Clark there is one last thing he can do.... and he pulls a gun out and points it at Margo and shoots. Clark tries to jump in the way but the screen goes black and the series is over. My guess is this is where Clark may possibly get his limp but I also think Margo could have died here because Clark is alone in the flash forwards. I guess we will never know.

I am sad that this series is over and I think it got poor advertising and that is on the network and directors. They premiered it at a horrible time and day. It just never had a real chance. Let me know your thoughts on the show.