A key to the success of Rizzoli & Isles is the brief but potent moments of comical relief from otherwise serious crime and murder investigation scenarios. Of course, the main relationship alchemy is between Det. Jane Rizzoli and Coroner Dr. Maura Isles: the former being a tough-enough cop and extremely successful Boston PD detective who also happens to be gorgeous; the latter being a scientific expert, M.D. and Boston PD's medical examiner who also happens to be gorgeous. Both destroying stereotypes of tough women and smart ones as being too rugged or geeky, to be sexy.
Writing 3 years in retrospect of the original broadcast of this episode 2 of season 2, I like it's ever subtle focus on the oft times dueling dynamics between pairs of characters. During this episode, I am particularly referring to that of Det. Barry Frost and Officer Frankie Rizzoli (Det. Jane's youngest brother).
Angela Rizzoli (their mother) is having a yard sale. One of the items is what appears to be a 12 inch late 1980's-early 1990's action-figure of Frankie's. When Det. Frost drops by, finds it, and takes a deep $$ plunge to buy it, Frankie has a fit. This amusing moment when two grown men act like little boys fighting over a toy is just the beginning of how this action-figure gains a part as a character in the series for the next 3 years of the TV series.
I'd love to know from any reader what the action-figure really is. The two guys call it "Guardian Chogar King." I've yet to locate it to buy it as a memento, don't know if it was made up for the show or is an authentic action-figure.
Writing the day after losing 20yo Lee Thompson Young 1984-August 19, 2013, who became such a central figure as Det. Barry Frost, the action-figure which is typically standing on his desk to the left of his computer screen, facing him, now holds even more sentimental value. It's difficult to imagine the coming episodes without Frost and the youngest Rizzoli having rifts over the now famous Guardian Chogar King.
I can't possibly imagine how the cast is coping with such a devastating loss to them. Yet, "the show must go on," and will, but without the very charming, clever and way computer savvy Det. Barry Frost.
Interesting too is how such a distant loss of a television personality impacts someone like me: any old ordinary viewer. I feel like someone I'm fond of, have come to know (even at this distance), and like a whole lot has been too suddenly and way too untimely in his own life's span.
I'll hold that absence open where he used to present a bright presence with what promised to become an even brighter future. I'd love to do so in a small way by finding that action-figure and putting by my computer screen on this desk, in remembrance of a younger man who did become a very good role model for even younger people, a handsome guy who didn't seem to have a mean-spirited cell within his being, a lively and on point television actor, and part of a television series ensemble that has seemed inseparable for several years by now.
If the "Guardian Chogar King" action-figure was invented by the writers of the series and isn't already one that can be located and bought, perhaps those who produce the series could find a way to have a batch of replicas made so that those of us who'd like to pay tribute to Mr. Young can do so by buying that figure which became symbolic of Frost's relationship with Frankie. A way for mere fans to express respect for a man's life that ended way to suddenly and soon.