Abhiroop Das
Created by Ian Weir, the sophomore season of Fox’s ‘Murder in a Small Town‘ delves deeper into the town’s mystery, with the chief of police, Karl Alberg, taking the reins once again. Although he entered Gibsons intending to escape the urban landscapes and the psychological toil they bring, Karl finds himself right in the heart of criminal investigation once again, with each case turning out to be trickier than the last. Although the coastal town is known for its strong community and scenic ambience, the protagonist soon uncovers the darker secrets that lie buried within, with many culprits hiding just out of sight. With the new season comes a host of new developments, many of which test Karl and Cassandra in unique ways. With her election bid underway, there lies room for the story to expand in scope several times over, but that doesn’t come without its potential pitfalls, and new challengers are ready to duke it out with this power couple. SPOILERS AHEAD.
Christi Holman is a Town Mayor With a Her Own Stake in the Story
Christi Holman is introduced into the story as Gibson’s reelected Mayor, and that puts her in close proximity to Cassandra, who has been elected councillor. However, Holman is more than just a political operator, and we learn that she is also a practicing doctor who handles both the personal and professional ends of her life with expertise. Although she’s a favourite amongs the townsfolk, Holman’s dynamic with Karl and Cassandra has a bumpy start, with a mask agreement about the complications they willl create in each others lives. We begin to see the first wave of conflict in the season 2 premiere itself, as the topic of Cassandra’s new art center initiative comes up. Although the deuteragonist is well-intentioned in her passion for the arts, Holman interprets this move as a political stunt, one that could change the tide in the coming future.
Holman’s disagreements with Cassandra also have a secondary reason, as her art center also comes with a substantial dent in the town’s overall budget. Whether she is honest about this remains to be seen, but in an exchange with Karl, she explains the tight-knit and calculated nature of their experiences. Although she plans to merge several neighbouring police units with Gibsons, under the protagonist’s leadership, she is not willing to spare him even a handful of extra staff for it. Holman uses these complications to her advantage, stating that she can get him the additional help he needs if he convinces his partner, Cassandra, to ditch her plans for the art center. This suggestion kills two birds with one stone, balancing the town’s budget plans while also cementing her dominance. However, Karl refuses to participate in her games of power and wastes no time in relaying the events to Cassandra.
Marcia Gay Harden Brings Life to the Character of Christi Holman
While Christi Holman has a series of personal disagreements with Karl and Cassandra, that does not change her position as a public icon in her own right. Furthermore, the details added to her character from the very beginning suggest she has more to her than meets the eye, which only makes her role within the narrative all the more enticing. Actor Marcia Gay Harden hits all the right notes with her performance as Holman, creating one of the most memorable presences in the second season. The actor is perhaps most famous for her work in Mystic River, where she plays Celeste Boyle. A veteran of the craft, Harden began her career on the silver screen with ‘The Imagemaker,’ before prominently featuring in a number of television shows such as ‘The Education of Max Bickford,’ and ‘Damages,’ where she plays Andrea Haskell and Claire Maddox, respectively. The actor is also known for ‘Into the Wild’ and ‘The Fifty Shades’ trilogy, where she portrays Billie McCandless and Grace Grey, respectively.
Notably, Marcia Gay Harden’s performance as Lee Krasner in ‘Pollock’ was a critical success, even landing her an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. Alongside these, she has also featured in hit television shows such as ‘Bojack Horseman’ and ‘So Help Me Todd,’ as Denise and Margaret, respectively. The actor’s wide creative palette worked hand in hand with her acting prowess to create a powerful rendition of Holman’s character in ‘Murder in a Small Town.’ As an antagonistic figure with several positive attributes, the Mayor stands out as a unique force in the story. However, her connection to the events of the past is a Pandora’s box in and of itself, and as it unfolds over the course of the episode, more light is shed on Holman’s past as a doctor and how that influences her presence.
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