Ron Eldard's performance this season as Jim Dunbar in "Blind Justice" hasn't been particularly memorable, but it's still much better than I would expect from a TV actor. In fact, many of you are telling me that you think Eldard deserves an Emmy.
Rather than summarizing the key points from Tuesday's episode, I would like to respond to your comments concerning this issue.
Like many actors who play handicapped characters, Eldard is given too much credit.
It may seem ridiculous to think that a big-name actor or actress will get an Oscar nomination every time he or she plays a handicapped character, but it's not too far from the truth. Many are well-deserved. Sean Penn was nominated for an Oscar for his role in I am Sam, and who can forget Dustin Hoffman's performances in Rain Man? Tom Hanks was equally good in Forrest Gump. But why are these performances considered to be so great?
The rationale is that it takes a special performance to play a handicapped person because it's such a far stretch for the actor.
Jamie Foxx was an absolute shoe-in at the Oscars this year for his performance in Ray, mainly because he is very good at acting like he's blind. But I believe that there are many other roles that are as difficult to play as handicapped roles. Those roles don't get the credit they deserve.
Consider three performances from the last year where actors were required to play roles that were very difficult, but did not require the actor to be handicapped.
Toby Maguire is a gifted and cursed superhero in Spider-Man 2, Natalie Portman plays an indecisive stripper in Closer and Jim Caviezel plays out one-third of the trinity in The Passion of the Christ.
Stop right now and try to imagine yourself as God. It's pretty difficult, huh?
Trying to determine great acting is just as hard.
Have you been able to catch an episode? Let me know what you think.
"Blind Justice" airs Tuesday nights at 9 p.m. on ABC. Check back next week for a recap of episode No. 7.
Daniel Swier is an associate editor of the Web Devil. Reach him at daniel.swier@asu.edu.