Conclusion of Character Studies – Part Six

Detective Preston Cruz played by Adam Rodriguez is a former New York cop, having been in Charleston for a year when the Lee Ann Marcus trial begins. At the start of Reckless he is cocky and secure in his relationship with Yankee attorney Jamie Sawyer, but when his undercover work puts him in compromising positions which he's not allowed to explain or expose, he loses Jamie, and Roy Rayder is quick to capitalize when given those moments with her. When Preston's undercover work puts him in danger, he makes a trip to Jamie's office to pledge his love for her in case something happens to him – which it does. Roy rushes to tell Jamie when Preston is shot and accompanies her to the hospital. When Preston recovers and refuses to report Terry McCandless's activities to the Deputy Chief, he and Roy continue to conduct police business, but once the depositions for the trial begin, they express their animosity toward one another over Jamie. Another character who has a sense of right and wrong, he's a loyal man pledged to the CPD. Adam Rodriguez plays the cop role well, but the chemistry between his character and that of Jamie Sawyer can't compare to the Roy and Jamie combo. In his final scene with Jamie, he warns her she's making a mistake taking up with Roy and assures her their "story" isn't finished.

Deputy Chief Holland Knox, played by Michael Gladis, has his police force under surveillance using Detective Preston Cruz to help him uncover the corruption in the CPD. Knowing Detective McCandless is at the root of the problem, Holland wants Preston to work with Terry until they can catch him red-handed in his gun running operation. Holland Knox is a stoic character, rarely allowing anything to move him from his firm approach. He briefly lets down his stern demeanor when he's with his best friend Roy Rayder, but it never lasts long. He's a man under pressure, and it seems he sees more than he ever lets on, but we don't know that for sure because he's rarely forthcoming.

Arliss Fulton, played convincingly by Falk Hentschel, is Lee Anne Marcus' husband, a paraplegic Iraq war vet, willing to forget Lee Anne's transgressions until the sex tape of her activities is leaked and televised for all to see. It crushes his hopes for his marriage and he disappears, leaving his wrecked pickup deserted. Terry McCandless learns Arliss' dog tags were discovered near a "gator's nest" and returns them to Lee Anne after she makes a bold visit to the police department to demand answers about her missing husband. As Arliss reveals when he's found, he wanted to hurt her so he left but promises they can leave together and start over if she will drop the lawsuit and the lies and settle with the City. Her desire to win the lawsuit and cash in turns Arliss in his chair and he rolls away from her, knowing he's lost the battle to appeal to what goodness she might have remaining. Very well played by Falk Hentschel, particularly his final scene.

Shelby is Roy's ex-wife who we first meet when she announces her engagement to "Nolan", a real estate magnate who's set up a shell company with her father to buy a coveted area of housing in Charleston to resell for a huge profit to a resort hotel chain for development. Played by Megan Ketch, she brings that southern belle persona to life. She returns in the Series Finale with their older daughter Julia having broken her leg at a birthday party, requiring surgery, and no more Nolan. Roy is there for them and Shelby reminisces about their older daughter's birth. Roy clearly remembers the eventful day, and we can see Shelby wants him back. When she suggests they start dating again, taking it slowly, the conflict on Roy's face is tangible. She's needy and vulnerable, and Roy realizes he's finally gotten over her now that she wants to start over. What will "doing the right thing" require of him?

Pictured above are Gregory Harrison who plays Dec Fortnum and Linda Purl who plays his "longsuffering wife" Barbara Fortnum, Shelby's dad and mom, Roy's former in-laws. Dec is a senior partner in the law firm where Roy works. He's a conniving philanderer who will exploit people and circumstances to get whatever he wants. Barbara Fortnum is equally tainted, her inherited status and the power it affords her of primary importance in her life. She "allows" Dec his dalliances until one of Dec's mistresses comes up pregnant. When Dec is given the choice to run for mayor and possess the power and position it will give him or keep his pregnant mistress, he draws up a document to ditch his mistress, agreeing to take care of her as long as she keeps her mouth shut and leaves Charleston. She signs, but her parting shot reveals Dec's child she's carrying is the son he's always wanted.

Dec and Barbara are two of a kind which is probably why they remain together. Power and prestige dominate their decisions, Barbara's only concern being publically humiliated by her husband's illicit affairs. Dec's charm is flaunted whenever necessary, but his cold, calculating agenda involves all kinds of wickedness. In the Season Finale we're shocked to see just how broad that scope of evil stretches and what happens as a result.

Dec and Barbara show their other sides when their granddaughters visit, both attentive and tender toward the girls. Shelby appears to be totally unaware of her parents' "untoward" habits, but Roy most likely has his suspicions about Dec. Gregory Harrison and Linda Purl give the professional performances they're used to performing, filling their characters with both charm and venom.

There are a few more sterling performances in this CBS series, each one of them contributing to the whole of Reckless. It's been a real pleasure to view this drama. My final summations will appear tomorrow.

Father, we're all people caught in the web of sin. Only you can free us from our own evil if we'll turn our hearts to you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.