Time of Death

The only mistake in regard to this performance is that Ray Liotta did not receive any nods or awards for his performance as Charlie Metcalf. His portrayal of a terminal and morally damaged patient, in search of - and finally receiving - absolution, was flawlessly painful and poignant. This episode is now in my cache for use in class, to illustrate just how perfect a portrayal of an imperfect character can be. As a reviewer and writer, it is often difficult to hold to the suspension of disbelief, an angle is wrong, the lighting is off, a cameraman's shadow is cast in a scene . . . Rarely is this student of film moved to emotional demonstrations during television dramas, but in this case, Mr. Liotta, thanks for the tears; they came from the depth of my soul. -Maura Coghlan Richardson