Episodes:
"Nature of the Beast"
Airdate: 12/18/02
Go back to the main listing
|
"Nature of the Beast" 1.9 - Original Airdate: 12/18/02
  
Written by Melissa Rosenberg
Directed by Shawn Levy
Guest Stars:
Kristofer McNeeley as Frankie Spitz
Neil Hopkins as the Specialist
Mitch Pileggi as Al Hawke
Co-Starring:
Ilya Volok as Lieutenant
Bob Papenbrook as Misha Petrov
What did I think of Birds of Prey episode nine, "Nature of the Beast"? You know, I liked it, but it didn't seem right to me. About midway through the episode I realized that things seemed a little off, and it occurred to me that it was probably the direction. This became most apparent when Dinah confronted Al Hawke (which I'll get to in a moment), and I mentally compared that scene to the original Hawke episode. The direction seemed more in the vein of NYPD Blue, rather than what we've been shown so far. More rooted in realism than fantasy. For an episode like "Nature" that is more like the former, I think it suited it well.
Now, on to Al Hawke. I wonder what the circumstances were that led to Stephen McHattie's departure from the role, but I did enjoy that they acknowledged it, rather than just leave the recasting unnoticed. Having said that, and commented on the care with which they dealt with the change, it did seem a tad forced. I thought Hawke was a little more menacing in the last episode, and the references to him being a crime boss and killer of the Black Canary seemed a little out of place. Also, I was wondering what became of the defined traits Hawke bore in his last appearance. Didn't he practice yoga, or have a Texan accent? I was disappointed that Mitch Pileggi didn't bring that back to the part. Aside from that I thought he did a good job, even if he did seem to be playing his X-Files role all over again.
I was pleased to see Frankie Spitz again. The fact that they brought back an otherwise minor character for a second story was nice, and added to everything. I admit to initially finding Spitz annoying, and wondered why they didn't kill him off the first time around, but it was nice seeing him again in another Hawke episode, and that he did bite the big one in this episode.
 The Specialist was all right. A little bland, but the actor brought a nice coldness to the role, and he made an interesting adversary. His death scene was one of the best in the series so far.
The rest of the cast did a good job. The connection between Dinah and Helena was unexpected, but made a whole lot of sense. Their conversation about their mother's killers was well done, as was Helena's talk with Reese about how her mother reformed. Dina Meyer was sadly underused in this episode, but then again, it wasn't really her time to shine, since in all fairness the spotlight really fell on Reese and Dinah.
Shemar Moore did a good job, and the father son connection between him and Hawke came across well. His story about driving Hawke's car was very well written and acted wonderfully. He's doing a good job in a role that could have easily been filled by someone with far less talent.
So, while this wasn't a slam bang episode, it was a nice diversion from the villain of the week formula, and more in vein with the crime oriented Batman comics that spawned this show. It was good, and worth a second and third viewing.
WB Summary for "Nature of the Beast"
"When a hit is put on the life of legendary mob boss, Al Hawk (Pileggi), the only person he trusts to protect him is his son, Detective Reese (Shemar Moore). Reese turns to Helena (Ashley Scott) for help, but when she learns that Reese's father is the same man who killed Dinah's (Rachel Skarsten) mother, Black Canary, her loyalties are tested."
TV Guide Summary for "Nature of the Beast"
"To Reese's chagrin, Hawke (Mitch Pileggi) resurfaces with a new look and a seemingly invincible hit man on his trail. Also, Dinah has a chance to avenge her mother's death when she comes face-to-face with Black Canary's killer."
Comicology for "Nature of the Beast"
Like Dinah Lance from Birds of Prey the tv show, the comic book Dinah lost her adventurous mother as well. Dinah, who also goes by the name the Black Canary in the comics, does not know who killed her mother, however.
The Specialist has no comic book counterpart, but there have been several villains able to phase through walls over the years.
Ratings for "Nature of the Beast"
12/18/02 - 3.3/5
101 (tie) out of 131 programs for that week, 5th in it's timeslot (out of 6)
|
