This is my first Jesse Stone and it may be my last. In Innocents Lost, Jesse tries to find out what happened to a young woman he once arrested with whom he lost touch. She went into a rehab facility, was released on antidepressants, and died of a heroin overdose.Part of my problem is not knowing all the characters who surround Jesse, and it is certainly an excellent cast: Kathy Baker, William Devane, Stephen McHattie, et al., and I suppose that would help subsequent viewing.To me this seemed slow-moving and I found Selleck as dull as dishwater. He shot to fame thanks to his wonderful looks, a relaxed charm, an ability to play humor, and warmth. I guess it all left on the last train. This character does not draw on any of his best assets. I just don't find him enough of an actor to give us a multilayered, depressed character. Instead, he comes off as grim and boring.I once read that a self-help guru did a workshop for actors. One of them was always one of the last two in an audition but lost the part. The teacher investigated and told him the reason was he had no talent. She explained it was a good thing because he didn't have to worry about "acting" any longer. He could use his charm, his presence, his looks, his demeanor, and his personality instead. She went on to write that he became a household name in the '80s. I'm convinced it was Selleck.I'm sure no one else will agree with me, and I may feel differently if I view more of these. But it was slow going watching one of the bright lights of '80s television meandering through this. One smile would have been welcome.

I liked this movie so much that I immediately went out and bought all eight (as of Spring 2015) and I will buy #9 when it comes out. This is a great drama, doesn't feed you the information, lets you take the lead only to find out later. I liked Rose Gammon in the series and would like to see much more of her. Could there be some electricity between Jesse and Rose if she returns? Jesse needs to catch Hasty. The homicide chief in Boston needs to keep up the dry whit with Jesse. Great job. There should be a closer bond with the dog. He is beautiful. I really enjoy the Jesse Stone series and look forward to many more episodes. Thanks.

Very good premise soon goes out the door as too many people and a sidebar story come in when the basic idea was more than enough for a two hour program.Stone has been forced into retirement, but there seems to be trouble with the new chief.A much older looking Kathy Baker reprises her role as Stone's wife. She still has that frustrated look. It's really time for her to move on from the divorce.Stone takes it upon himself to investigate the apparent suicide of a young lady he knew. It eventually appears that this was not a suicide, and by the end of the program the killer can barely be detected from the armor he was wearing.The scenes shown by the classic films-"Mr. Smith Goes to Washington," and "The Bridge on the River Kwai" show that we have to fight for what we believe in. This was really making an over kill over the movie's subject matter.In short, Tom Selleck-please stick with "Blue Bloods." You've got a winning show there all the way. Time for Jesse Stone to enjoy his retirement.

I watched the latest Jesse Stone TV movie last night and have mulled it over before typing my reaction to it. I have decided that it will be the last one I watch. There was a certain level of enjoyment in the first four having been based on the original text by Parker and I could accept the changes made in character and story knowing that film and books are two very different mediums. The latest three films have been original stories not based on the Books and have grown increasingly maudlin. I am a fan of noir cinema and dark stories but it as though all of the life has been sucked out of the characters I am not certain who has the better hang dog expression Reggie or Jesse. Selleck's Jesse Stone is the saddest person I have ever seen he sleeps with a positively gorgeous woman and doesn't crack a smile and then kills her mood, to score with her he must be the most adorable black hole of gloom on the eastern seaboard. Dix even looks ready to tell him to walk because he is sucking all of the joy out of the room. I read a woman's post saying that Jesse is the strong silent type but strong holds the firm for the people who rely on him, much like Jesse in the books He knows that not just the town relies on him but Suit, Molly, Peter and the rest of his department depend on him as a leader. Selleck's Jesse has let all of these people down . Admittedly if I had his ex as portrayed in both the books and the movies I would drink too much and look miserable much of the time too. (Gods I hate Jenn)Even the Parker moments in the story felt forced. Yes! we know it is hard for Jesse not to be cute (Stone Cold) and his opening shot is a foot to the nuts (Night Passage). This brings me to my second point I recently found out that the Selleck's co writer Michael Brandman is continuing the Jesse Stone books and this makes me very afraid for the stories. I love the books I have read all of them at least twice and these are characters that have become dear to me. If you are reading this Mr. Brandman I don't expect you to be Bob Parker but please don't kill the feeling of these stories the way that has been done in the films.