Tubegazing: His inner Philip Marlowe

Tom Selleck headlines the fourth installment of a series based on Robert Parker's novels.

May 18, 2007

Jesse Stone: Sea Change

(CBS, May 22, 9 p.m.) Not every leading man likes to rumple up as he matures, but with this mystery franchise, former "Magnum, P.I." star Tom Selleck embraces his inner Philip Marlowe with gusto. In the fourth installment based on the Robert Parker novels, Selleck mumbles noir wisdom and solves a 12-year-old murder. Some critics have faulted the series for its lack of action, but these character/crime stories are shaggy-dog tales at heart, and good guilty-pleasure viewing just the way they are. A nice bonus: the always interesting Kathy Baker as the deputy. Hiring this mature actress is a nice reminder that girls can grow up with just as much grace as any guy in town. Grade: B+