Caught in a ‘Bind’
Tough detective tackles crime while raising teens
The Christian-themed channel UP’s first scripted series might as well be called “Touched by a SuperCop.”
“Ties That Bind” twists family angst in a crime procedural that features the most unnaturally competent law enforcement officer since “Dragnet’s” Joe Friday.
Kelli Williams (“The Practice,” “Army Wives”) stars as Seattle Detective Allison McLean, who, in the pilot, watches as her brother Tim (guest star Luke Perry, “Beverly Hills, 90210”) is convicted of assault and dragged off to jail. Allison was the one who arrested Tim. So awkward. Especially since Tim’s two teenagers, Cameron (Rhys Matthew Bond) and Mariah (Matreya Scarrwener, “Falling Skies”), face an uncertain future in foster care. (Mom is an off-screen junkie and allaround basket case.)
Allison and her fellow saint of a husband Matt (Jonathan Scarfe, “Hell on Wheels”) are raising teenagers Jeff (Mitchell Kummen, “The Tomorrow People”) and Rachel (Natasha Calis) with a firm hand, prayer before every meal and a grounding for every infraction or whimper of disrespect. Sure, their home from the outside looks big enough to house a small colony, but can they really take in two more teenagers? Allison decides they have no choice. Cameron objects and chafes under the restrictions of living in a family who make “7th Heaven’s” Camdens look like the Borgias. That instantly makes him the most interesting person here. Unfortunately, the script gives him little more to do than huff. He doesn’t even get to slam a door like any average kid. This is teen rebellion on the mild side.
But where “Ties” unravels is in its other half, as it desperately tries to be a gritty police procedural. To stay true to its family-friendly mission statement, “Ties” shies from violence — yet slips in some surprising gore as Allison and her partner Devin (Dion Johnstone, “Defiance”) track a pair of convenience store robbers, one of whom was wounded in a botched theft, the other scarred by a troubled family. The investigation allows Allison to share some subtle pro-life sentiments while everyone in her orbit either fears or praises her as the toughest cop on the planet.
Williams spent seven seasons playing one of the most annoying characters in the history of prime time on “The Practice.” This show allows her to be more likable, but she’s still no more human.
Perry is effective in his brief screen time, grit and spit. “Who told you to save the world?” Perry’s Tim challenges his sister. “Who told you to give up?” Allison replies. One thing “Ties” hilariously gets on the money: Four teenagers sitting in a room, all oblivious to each other, all plugged into their various devices. Poor Matt has to answer his own door. It’s enough to drive a man to prayer, but on “Ties,” no one needs an excuse.