Exclusive Interview with Teddy Sears

image courtesy of TNT

To us here on Raked, Monday nights mean time for Raising the Bar. What’s better? When the stars of the show take the time to talk to us.

One such star Teddy Sears, who plays Richard Patrick Woolesly on the show. Richard is the lawyer with the biggest heart–and wallet–which can get him into some interesting situations on the show.

Guest writer JC talks to Sears about his character on Raising the Bar, his guest appearances on shows like Dollhouse and Studio 60, and even what’s on his ipod.

JC: Hi Teddy. Thanks for taking the time to talk to me today.

TS: Oh absolutely. Thanks for having me on.

JC: It seems like Richard has the largest heart of anyone in the series. Where does that come from?

TS: <laughs> Maybe second only to Mark Paul Gossaler’s Jerry, but yeah Richard’s got a huge heart and I think that’s exactly why he’s working with the public defenders. His dad, if you watch the first season, you know, is getting pressure from the family to be this one particular way. But you know, Richard’s got a heart of gold man, and he’s got to fight tirelessly for the people who need him most, and that’s why he’s a PD.

JC: Yeah, and it seems like lately, in the last couple episodes, we’ve seen your character struggle more with his wealth and how it can help his clients along with what he does for them in the courtroom. Is that going to be a big conflict with the character going forward?

TS: Right now, Richard is in this, sort of character arc, to use an actor term, but the next couple episodes we see it sort of wrapped up into a nice little package. We see Richard struggle morally and ethically, with how can I help my clients, what can I do to fight for these people. He has this dilemma with money; I mean, the guy’s got money and paying a client’s fine as a last resort makes some sense, because the money means very little to him. But we find that there are other ways in which he can advocate for his clients besides just the knee-jerk, let me pull out my wallet and pay the fine, for example using his family name, his influence… I think ultimately, what we see, is that there are more tricks up his sleeve than the financial [ones]. This is where Richard sort of becomes a man, you know? He makes a decision about what he feels is best for him. He doesn’t give a damn about what anyone else says or thinks, and I think that that is the hallmark of someone coming into his own. And it’s really fun to play, but man, I think it’s even more fun to watch someone struggle with these great life decisions. And listen, most of us will never have these life decisions… but to see someone struggle, to be consumed by something is something everybody can relate to, because we’ve all been there.

JC: Absolutely. We’ll look forward to watching that develop.

TS: Thanks.

JC: Now, last season, we seemed to have left off with the possibility of a relationship between Roz and Richard. But I haven’t seen a lot of that so far this year.

TS: <laughs> I know, you and me both, and I’ve been there.

[Read more after the jump!]

Army Wives: Finally back to fun–and war

ARMY WIVES: 3.08 “Post and Prejudice”

Last night’s episode of Army Wives was fun. Finally! Fun!

This is the kind of episode I’ve been looking forward to. It had a lightness to it–what with Pamela’s new student and her new party pleasure. It had an actual conflict that wasn’t heartwrenching to watch: Joan versus Evan in the war games. Plus, it had meaning. We had a whole speech on why it’s important to show that we do care about Iraqi people, despite the torture that we’re putting people through.

But let’s back up.

Pamela’s still teaching her class, which by no means is as entertaining as her radio show used to be (hey, now with Evan leaving, maybe she can take back over!). And of course, she has someone who needs help. I almost wish they hadn’t shown what she was going to end up selling in the previews, because that would have been a great surprise. And just seeing that Roland got stuck in the middle of it–that was great.

And then there was the war games. I personally really enjoyed this. Not only was it real strategy, but the fact that the men and women had to lie in the fields as if they were dead–made for a great moment for Evan’s downfall, right? Walking through the field of “dead” bodies, his men and women that he led to failure. It was fun to watch.

Especially with Joan’s quick thinking. Honestly, if we were going to continue to see Evan hour maneuver her, even when we knew she was better, I was going to get a little annoyed. But then again, that’s where I thought we were heading. Instead, she outwitted him and he was brought down. More so, he was asked to leave the post. Not because he lost, but because he basically cheated.

My question, though, is this: Would Joan really be able to take Trevor’s letter of reprimand out of his folder? Sure, Evan screwed up royally, but Trevor did make a mistake. I would think that she couldn’t change it in retrospect.

Anyway, that’s just a side note.

But then there was Haneen. Now, it is rather difficult to explain the importance of devoting $1000 to one little girl. Honestly, I’d have some issues with it. But bringing in someone who’s actually been there and seen what the U.S. is doing. That was great. Really, it was an important moment, something that’s been missing in a lot of this season’s episodes. I always liked the messages this show used to carry. For the most part, they haven’t been too hard or forced. They’ve fit right in.

Now, last night, sure, it was a little preachy. But then again, it was making a valuable point. So maybe it needed to be. I don’t know, but I’m just glad we’re getting back to what made Army Wives original and good. Back to the overriding messages. Back to Army life. And back to fun.