LOU GRANT kicked off the fourth season with a slightly revised opening theme, and an unusual story called "Nightside."
In some respects, it's one of the best episodes. It doesn't hang on a current social issue like many other story lines. It's a procedural, showing what goes on at the Trib at night. A news story starts small, then grows into a significant event as more and more pieces fall into place.
But there's a big flaw: after three seasons, we're suddenly introduced to a completely different cast, the people who supposedly work on the "nightside." (These include a very young David Paymer.) For three years, the NORMAL cast has seemed to be on duty 24 hours a day - no matter when a story breaks or develops, Lou, Billie, Joe, Art, etc. are the ones in the office. But now we find out that other people use the desks after hours; in fact, they seem to practically stand in line to get at "their" desks when the regular cast leaves. Why have we never seen these people before (or ever again)? We only see the regulars briefly, and Lou gets to remain at the center because he's supposedly filling in for the night editor who has called in sick.
So...a good grade for a good story. But a big question mark for throwing a continuity curve ball at the audience.
In some respects, it's one of the best episodes. It doesn't hang on a current social issue like many other story lines. It's a procedural, showing what goes on at the Trib at night. A news story starts small, then grows into a significant event as more and more pieces fall into place.
But there's a big flaw: after three seasons, we're suddenly introduced to a completely different cast, the people who supposedly work on the "nightside." (These include a very young David Paymer.) For three years, the NORMAL cast has seemed to be on duty 24 hours a day - no matter when a story breaks or develops, Lou, Billie, Joe, Art, etc. are the ones in the office. But now we find out that other people use the desks after hours; in fact, they seem to practically stand in line to get at "their" desks when the regular cast leaves. Why have we never seen these people before (or ever again)? We only see the regulars briefly, and Lou gets to remain at the center because he's supposedly filling in for the night editor who has called in sick.
So...a good grade for a good story. But a big question mark for throwing a continuity curve ball at the audience.