Family Stress, A Roller Derby Queen, a New GM. Review: Necessary Roughness, S2 E2 - "To Swerve and Protect"

Necessary Roughness, S2 E2 – “To Swerve and Protect”

Air Date: Wednesday, June 13, 2012, 10/9c on USA Network

Rating: ★★★★★

Dr. Dani Santini (Callie Thorne) has her hands full in “To Swerve and Protect.” Not only must she help TK (Mehcad Brooks) conquer his fears, her son Ray Jay (Patrick Johnson) wants to “do it here” with his tutor/girlfriend Olivia (Megann Fahy). Plus, Dani has a new patient, Grace Denise Charleston (Alicia Ziegler), known as DisGrace Kelly on the roller derby circuit, who collapsed on the rink after smelling a suspicious odor. On top of that, the Hawks’ owner, Marshall Pitman (Evan Handler), lays the law down in no uncertain terms.

Although the derby track has tested negative for questionable odors, I believe what Grace smelled has nothing to do with her being under a lot of pressure by her teammates, the New York Dolls. I found Grace’s cryptic response to one of the questions Dani asks while she’s under hypnosis quite curious. What relevance could Grace’s “childhood” possibly have? Although, with her father a lawyer, her mother a drunk, and her sister a paraplegic since the age of three following a car accident, who knows what could it be? It’s pretty amazing how Dani solves this riddle.

Family Stress, A Roller Derby Queen, a New GM. Review: Necessary Roughness, S2 E2 - "To Swerve and Protect" 1

The coach (Gregory Alan Williams), Matthew (Marc Blucas), Nico (Scott Cohen and Dr. Dani (Callie Thorne) listen as the new GM (unseen) lays down the law. Photo by: Richard Ducree/USA Network

Last week, Marshall Pitman made only a brief appearance. This week, we get a broader picture of Pitman’s personality when he takes over as the team’s general manager. He’s cocky, arrogant and knows how to control people. Handler does a stellar job portraying this unlikeable character, especially given his previous role as the likeable Charlie Runkle on Californication. Handler is a completely different person on Necessary Roughness. The look on Pitman’s face when he deals with his underlings is frightening—there’s no doubt Pitman is the man in charge. Even though Dani, Coach Purnell (Gregory Alan Williams), and trainer Matthew Donnally (Marc Blucas) tell Pitman TK needs more time to recuperate, he insists TK be on the field in less than a week or he’ll “cut him from the roster.”

I found the cat and mouse game that Dani and Pitman play when he drops in on her at home very enjoyable. Not only does Dani stick up for herself, she tells Pitman how she conducts business. Good for you, Dani! For a minute there, I thought Pitman was coming onto her but I don’t think he’s the kind of man who uses sex to get what he wants. Ray Jay’s girlfriend Olivia is, though. Now there’s a woman who’s not to be trusted—especially when she urges him to stand up to his mother: “I’m not interested in dating a boy, Ray Jay. I’m interested in dating a man.” Olivia is every mother’s nightmare—the kind of woman a mother fears most. Not only is she beautiful, she’s hot and knows how to use it to her advantage.

Family Stress, A Roller Derby Queen, a New GM. Review: Necessary Roughness, S2 E2 - "To Swerve and Protect" 2

Matthew (Marc Blucas) gives Dani (Callie Thorne) his opinion about Ray Jay’s (Patrick Johnson) problem

The comedic element of “To Swerve and Protect” is most evident in Ray Jay’s storyline. The Power-Point presentation he puts together to convince Dani to let him have sex in her house, along with his accompanying narration, is cute and funny. Too bad it doesn’t work. I got a real kick out of Matthew coming to Ray Jay’s defense, though. I can see his point. The kid’s gonna have sex anyway so why not control the situation? After Dani finds Ray Jay and Olivia getting it on at Olivia’s house, she practically throws a temper tantrum. In a very emotional tirade, Dani gives Ray Jay the reasons why she’s grounding him. Despite what she says, I think Ray Jay hits the nail on the head when he counters: “Why don’t you just say it, Mom? Why don’t you just say you don’t want me to end up like you and Dad, knocked up, young, and in a crappy marriage?” I know Dani wants to protect Ray Jay but she has to let him grow up! How will he ever become a responsible adult if she doesn’t?

Memorable lines:

Grace, describing her family: “The Royal Tenenbaums, minus the royal part.”

Grace: “The biggest rule in derby? Don’t be a douche.”

Dani: “That’s funny ‘cause that’s the rule in my life too.”

Matthew to Pitman: “Let me tell you this. Terrence King on one leg is better than 95% of the receivers in this league.”

Dani about Pitman: “He could do anything to anyone just for sport.”

Matthew: “Dani, come on! The kid’s 17, he’s got a girlfriend who wants to have sex with him. Like, she’s begging him for sex. [Imitating Olivia’s voice] Ray Jay, please have sex with me. [In his regular voice] And you said that he couldn’t do it in the house. I mean, by the laws of manhood, you’re practically forcing the kid to impeach himself.”

Dani about Ray Jay: “I’m gonna go get that little Romeo and he’s gonna wish he drank poison!”

TK to Matthew: “Pitman’s sweatin’ me like a hooker in church, so how am I supposed to be all mental?”

Unfortunately, Pitman pushes TK so hard he takes off with his friend Zetti (Mekia Cox) right before the press conference where Pitman announces who he’ll be keeping for the upcoming season. I smell trouble because Zetti is the one who provided TK with all those illegal guns he had in his apartment, and she’s not exactly the kind of person to have TK’s best interests at heart. After watching the promo for next week’s episode, it doesn’t look like TK is coming back anytime soon. But, anything can happen, right? What do you think?

Tune in to Necessary Roughness Wednesdays at 10/9c, only on USA Network.

Follow the show on Twitter @NecRoughness and @USA_Network. You can also follow TK on Twitter @kingofthehawks. Check out the show’s Facebook page, and visit the Necessary Roughness site to catch up on full episodes, read cast interviews, play games and submit your feedback about the show via a special email form. Plus, don’t forget to submit a video of your best end zone dance for a chance to win $25,000!

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Linda

Love TV, movies, and books--mostly mysteries, with a good love story thrown in every now and then. I have four adopted dogs who I adore. I love trying new recipes, and enjoy eating what I make. English language perfectionist. Reading in bed, Italian food, warm weather, the beach, all types of games = favs!