music, books, love and kindness

Things aren't always what they seem in the latest "Forever," which airs Tuesday nights on ABC, at ten.

Another new show I like is "Forever," which is kind of like "Castle," only less comedic and with a slight supernatural twist.

Dr. Henry Morgan is a medical examiner (played charmingly by Ioan Gruffudd) who studies dead bodies both as a professional living and to help him figure out why he is apparently immortal..."apparently" because he can "briefly" die, but always comes back to life (and, for reasons not explained yet, always naked.)

He is partnered with detective Jo Martinez (Alana de la Garza significantly more at ease and warm here than she was as a district attorney on Law and Order), though the writers have promised (in a refreshing move for tv) to not have them become romantically involved. They are both likable characters, each having had wonderful spouses whom they still mourn and which adds to the genuine feel of decency "Forever" has.

Though the ratings have already started to slide, the most recent episode was the best yet and offered a little bit of old school mystery (a la "Murder She Wrote") to it. The victim, played terrifically by Kathleen Chalfant, appears at a major fundraiser, getting out barbs left and right, telling family and friends exactly what she thinks of them. Minutes later (surprise, surprise) she's dead.

Mean people, after all, always get their comeuppance in crime shows, but was Gloria Carlyle really mean and which of the many people who disliked her had the real motive? Not terribly original, right? Maybe not...but the thing is her backstory connects with Henry Morgan's in a way that is beautiful and sweet without being too sugary or sentimental.

The viewer finds out there was more to Gloria that met the eye and that...well, I don't want to spoil the rest of the episode. I do want to say "Forever" is a solid show that might not be very innovative, but is quite pleasant to watch by On Demand or through a DVR, especially if you're up late at night and need something "escapist" to watch.

Insomnia is no fun, but you can only clean and read so much with all that time, before you have to at least try and unwind in bed.