A sweet Christmas story on 'Sue Thomas: FB Eye'

From: Henderson Gleaner, KY - 11 Dec 2002

By DAVE MASON
December 11, 2002

"Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye" delivers a sweet but honest Christmas story this weekend about the challenges of a mother-daughter relationship.

The poignant story is paired with a light tale about a Santa Claus who's robbing banks. He'd better watch out.

"Sue Thomas: F.B. Eye" airs at 9 p.m. EST/PST Sunday, Dec. 15, on PAX. I recommend this series, produced and created by brothers Dave Alan Johnson and Gary R. Johnson, for families to watch together.

Deaf actress Deanne Bray plays real-life deaf FBI agent Sue Thomas, a friend of the Johnson brothers, who also are the creators and producers of PAX's "Doc." Sunday's episode guest-stars Kate Trotter as Carla, Sue's well-meaning but domineering mother.

Carla and Sue's father are visiting their daughter and her Washington roommate Lucy (Enuka Okuma) for Christmas. But Sue soon feels her mother won't let her be in charge of the holiday celebration.

It's the kind of story with which many parents and children can relate, and "Sue Thomas" deals with it by showing both sides.

Too often, parents on TV are portrayed as either all-wise or totally clueless, and this episode shows the truth's in the middle. The mother and daughter eventually learn how the other feels and become more sensitive in the process.

There's a nice, musical treat at the end. I won't spoil it here.

The secondary plot about a Santa Claus robbing banks provides some action - after all, this is a series about the FBI - without distracting too much from the main story.

And there's a good plot about Bobby (Rick Peters), the Australian agent, facing a cynical reporter, well played by Polly Shannon.

I love the episode's uncompromising, happy ending; we need more of them on today's TV shows.

Joan Considine Johnson and Kim Beyer-Johnson, who wrote Sunday's episode, aren't afraid to say people should resolve their relationship problems through genuine love. And I don't think that's corny.

© 2001 The E.W. Scripps Co.