At the beginning of Battle Creek Season 1 Episode 13 when Milt was in his car getting teary eyed before his run, I did it right along with him. Again, as the two men shared their final scene before the credits rolled, there came the waterworks.

What a damn shame that this fine show wasn't given the proper respect it deserved. Even so, that the hour focused mainly on the two protagonists worked very well for a series finale and it didn't feel like we were leaving them in a bad place. Thank goodness!

It was pretty obvious as the season wore on that the show picked up momentum, and it was a lot of fun to see so many of you coming to the reviews when at first it felt like I was watching alone. That's proof that series really do pick up steam if given time to gather an audience.

Just like the show itself, the friendship between Russ and Milt blossomed and I daresay that after he's released from the hospital, the two will finally get that beer. We'll never have the pleasure of seeing it, but at least we know it's coming.

The story of Milt's former Russ-like ways, when he threw caution to the wind and skirted the rules to get the job done, made it awfully easy to see why he and Russ butted heads. It's also easy to understand why Milt could embrace Russ more fully than Russ Milt.

Milt has been Russ and he knows the damage that his actions can cause. Every second of Milt's day is likely spent wishing he could just fall back into Russ ways, but he has Casey's death on his hands. Two deaths, really, that push him to do things by the book, even if at his heart he believes he could get things done without following the rules and have a little more fun doing it.

Can you imagine how much it must pain him to be faking it until he makes it that every morning he drives an armored car chanting the mantra, "Forward, positive, embrace the day"? The tears in his eyes as he leaned into a primal scream before his run didn't mean as much before we knew his story, but now, just wow. The pain Milt has carried for five years before running into Russ drove everyone around him nuts.

The real pity of it all is this story was just getting started. By the two men reaching this critical point in their relationship, everything was opening up for them. If they had been granted a second season, imagine the partnership that would have come out of the two of them knowing each others secrets.

Milt: Just go, Russ. Do what he says!

Russ: I’m not going anywhere. You’re my partner.

_{🔗 permalink: I’m not going anywhere. You’re my partner.}

They would have continued to poke at their weak spots but been supportive through the hard stuff, as was shown in the final scene. Russ' concern for Milt was genuine, as was his assurance that his new friend was going to be OK. It was as genuine as Milt's laugh with the realization he was, finally, going to be alright. 

Gosh, it makes me tear up again, just thinking about it. 

It was a real pleasure reviewing this show and it almost didn't happen. Thanks CBS, for the nudge. You're up guys. Say goodbye to the series in the comments and let me know what you think would happen between these two amazing men, partners and new friends.

If you missed any of the series, you can watch Battle Creek online. Even though it ended, it's totally worth the watch and won't leave you hanging. Promise!!

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Playing Battle Creek Season 1 Episode 11 and Battle Creek Season 1 Episode 12 back to back worked perfectly as we got the full progression of Russ' character from dinkwhistle to leading man in under two hours. It's about time.

If all goes well, by the time Battle Creek Season 1 Episode 13 is done and the series is over (cue sad music), at least two of the characters we have grown to love in our short time together should get a happy ending.

During Battle Creek Season 1 Episode 10, Russ was kidnapped and Milt thought he might have had a bit of Stockholm syndrome because he was ultimately changed by his experience. It was a little emotional for me, too, and I lashed out in my review, upset that Russ didn't accept Milt's invitation for a beer.

Someone in the comments reminded me that Russ didn't turn down Milt rudely, but politely and he wouldn't change overnight. It appears Russ is still changing for the better and everyone is taking notice.

"The Hand-Off" was really well titled, as it felt like the torch was being passed of all the love for Milt over to Russ. It wasn't lost on Milt, either, as he had kind of a rough time accepting it. Milt was on the receiving end of all of Russ' bad luck, including a suspension for trying things a little differently on a case.

As Russ felt a connection with a woman everyone else believed to be involved in shooting her husband, Russ was certain she wasn't at fault. The doctor on the husband's case couldn't help but note how compassionate and kind Russ was when dealing with the wife. Could you believe those words were used in connection with Russ and not Milt?

Holly, meanwhile, was utterly unhappy with her cruise man, who apparently slept on the couch for duration of their vacation. No amount of bikini wearing or backbends got him in the least bit interested in her and she was at her wits end. 

At the hospital, Russ scored the doctor's phone number and didn't hesitation to call it back at the station, but Holly wandered in after yet another bad date while he was doing so. She was upset, telling Jacocks how much she wanted sex. Russ couldn't listen anymore and left the room.

Holly's chakras were open, and so was her mind, because she found Russ in the evidence room and they went from barely able to speak about each other to doing the deed sexy movie style on a desk in the evidence locker. 

Of course, the next day, which played out in "Homecoming," Russ was on top of the world coming into the office. Until Holly told him it meant nothing and didn't have to affect their friendship.

What we didn't know at the time was that she was accepted to law school in Indiana and was hoping to make it easier on both of them so they didn't get hurt. Hell, they were both hurting already and they didn't need to wait for a long distance relationship to fall apart.

But the case of the week further enhanced everything Russ was feeling by introducing his alma mater (and everyone's it appears) and friends from high school, many of whom have taken positions in the local high school. His girlfriend from the era was even high school principal.

It was great for Milt to get a better look at the Russ he never knew, the guy who had feelings and was loved and wanted by women. As a result, somehow Milt gets pushed further onto the sidelines. I guess they cannot both share the spotlight at the same time.

All Russ really wanted, however, is Holly. The more she tried to push him away, the more like the old Russ he became. Jacocks made him realize how much they both like each other and then he learned about law school and who knows how he managed to push past the fear of rejection another time, but it was beautiful.

The two of them kissing in the hallway after Russ made a RomCom speech to Holly – pretty much what every girl wants to hear, let's give it a go and to hell with what might happen, we can get through it if we fight for us speech – was amazing. Wow!

With only one episode left before we part ways with the characters of Battle Creek, do you think they'll get their happy ending? I sure hope so. I also hope Russ and Milt get that beer. Is that too much to ask? Just one beer.

If you have missed any of this fun series, you can watch Battle Creek online via TV Fanatic to catch up.

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Things were going so swimmingly on Battle Creek Season 1 Episode 10 and it almost seemed as if Russ might make a positive turn in his attitude when suddenly the end rolled up. Did he actually take a few steps backwards?

It sure seems like it. I guess kidnapping didn't bring Russ the second chance at new relationships I was expecting AT ALL.

"Stockholm" was a really fun hour overall because it took a man who did threw away his future, which was secured within days, and tossed it out the window for the love of an old friend an a promise he made while he was dying.

They sure took the winding road to get to Mitchell's story, but I'm very glad they did as it gave the man a chance to share his unique perspective on life with Russ. God knows Russ needs new perspectives.

From the moment Russ was kidnapped, meanwhile, Milt was beside himself. He cares about Russ very much, and even let it slip.

Commander: You’re putting us in charge?

Milt: No, I can’t do that, but I want this investigation driven by the people to whom it matters the most. That’s us! Or…you. The people who care about Russ the most.

_{🔗 permalink: No, I can’t do that, but I want this investigation driven by the people to whom it matters…}

Milt was going to run the force ragged in their attempt to find Russ, and he was shocked when he found the Commander just sitting in her car at one point. But she wasn't just sitting, she was waiting for pharmacies to contact her with Russ' plan, one they cooked up years ago when they used to play "what happens when we're kidnapped."

That game could have gotten Russ killed since he didn't expect his kidnapper to be quite so caring. Then again, he also made sure he gave him what he needed for too much insulin, too.

It was also fun that Mitchell pointed out to Russ Milt didn't offer himself up as a hostage to be a hero, but because he's a friend. Mitchell was surprised at the hostility residing inside of Russ.

Mitchell: Lighten up. Loosen your sphincter for 20 minutes and go have a beer with the guy. Let him into your life. Maybe get a life.

Russ: It’s just a pointless, futile gesture to make him look good.

Mitchell: He cares!!! Sometimes the only way to care is with a futile, pointless gesture.

_{🔗 permalink: He cares!!! Sometimes the only way to care is with a futile, pointless gesture.}

The guy was days away from being released from prison after a 20 year sentence and he broke out to see his niece get married. Like Milt, I wondered why she couldn't postpone for just one week, but she was marrying a man who was being deployed. Thank goodness they had a reason. 

Both Russ and Milt had tears in their eyes as they participated in the wedding and, dammit, I did, too. Not only because it was sweet, but because I honestly thought something might be growing here. Were Russ and Milt finally going to grow beyond their childish bickering and get that beer? Were they doing to become friends (or at least friendLY?)?

Was it Holly's return that screwed things up? At this point, Russ needs to get over her. If he doesn't have the balls to make a move, then walk away for good man. That means no more brushing up and smelling her hair, either. 

When Milt asked Russ to get that beer, it appeared that the fresh start was underway. When Russ said no, I was floored. I also wanted to ram my fist through the television. I can't support Russ any longer. Hot Russ? You're a loser. People reach out and you act like me. Trust me, that's not cool. 

The flash of happy Mitchell, alone in his cell but satisfied that he had done a solid for his dear, lost friend and miserable Russ, alone for all the wrong reasons was a great ending. Russ is doing it all wrong.

With the cancellation, I have no hopes he'll get it right before we reach the end. Next week, we have Battle Creek Season 1 Episode 11 AND Battle Creek Season 1 Episode 12 to move us even further toward the end so we're talking about three episodes and it's all over. What are the odds we see happiness before then? I'm not hopeful.

You can watch Battle Creek online to catch up before it's all over. It's definitely worth the watch, so don't let the bad news get you down.

The post Battle Creek Season 1 Episode 10 Review: Stockholm appeared first on TV Fanatic.

When Milt gets back into his car, it doesn't start straight away. It explodes. When Russ and the team get to the park, there is nobody and they have no idea who was in the car or who it belonged to. Milt walks up and asks to speak to Russ in private. Russ is all aflutter about his private life and Holly. He tells Russ that's his car and he was in it when it blew up. Russ doesn't believe him. Milt says he needs just him. When we next see the two, they're in it together.

Russ wants to know who Milt is protecting. Milt says Russ will continue going along with Milt without answers until he gets them so he's not talking yet. They enlist Meredith for help and ask her to stay quiet.

The car was fortified like a tank. 

Russ and Milt stalk Milt's place for a while before Russ says they should probably start stalking Milt's stalker. While Russ is in a skeevy motel looking for the guy who is stalking him, Milt gets taken and when Russ gets back to the rape van, he gets pummeled and wakes up in the trunk next to Milt. Milt finally spills why he's being stalked. He killed the guy's son.

Flashback to Malibu five years earlier. Two young kids are surfing. Milt is out there, too. They heard Milt sold weed. Next thing ya know, the kid's in cuffs in an interrogation room. Milt is trying to get another guy through this kid. They're both students. He 

Back at the station, the squad is realizing the evidence was never taken to the FBI and Russ and Milt are missing.

Milt is still telling the tale of the major drug dealer and the son he killed. He never had a warrant for the bug the kid was wearing, either. Russ is surprised. The dealer is trying to flush out the cops by threatening to push the kid over the edge and Milt refuses to allow his partner to intervene and it was the right call.

When Casey makes the tradeoff, the dealer's son holds him hostage and freaks. While the dealer tries to talk his son off the edge, Milt shoots his son through the forehead.

Now the shocker. It's not the Dealer who wants Milt dead. It's Casey's dad, played by Robert Sean Leonard. Russ still doesn't understand how that got Milt blackballed. It didn't. From then on out, Milt did everything by the book. 

When Casey's dad opens the trunk, Russ decides he's not going anywhere. Russ is his partner. 

In another surprising twist, Milt holds a gun on the Font when he shows up. He gives the gun to the dad with one bullet. He says he deserves to die and if he thought it would matter and it would bring his son back, he'd put the gun to his own head. It's a nice speech, but it doesn't work. The guy shoots him. Russ runs over. You're gonna be OK. I know. 

The post Battle Creek Season 1 Episode 13 Recap: Sympathy for the Devil appeared first on TV Fanatic.

When the squad gets excited about the upcoming whiffle ball game, it's tanked with the news of the murder of the coach, Zaransky. The Mayor called Milt in on the case and when Russ gets to the local school, Milt congratulates him on Holly, but Russ says he's wrong. Milt has a lot of words 

Russ runs into the principal, Lydia, and Milt just cannot get over all the women in Russ' life when she asks Russ to tone down the edges. It's as if he's coming alive before Milt's eyes.

Funk and Font chat with Coach's wife. She's distraught and points her finger at a dude named Eddie. That's the same guy Russ and Milt are hearing about from the new coach.

Holly assumes that Milt was a quarterback in high school and he rolls with it despite playing, what was it, cricket? He goes to the school and talks to the quarterback. The kid has no desire to play college ball. He wants to go to school for pre-med. He tanked the game on purpose. 

The dad, however, didn't do anything about it.

Jacocks, thankfully, tells Russ Holly doesn't really want to be just friends. She urges him to ask her out. When he does, she turns him down. She got into law school. It's in Indiana. She let him off the hook because she's leaving. It will hurt a lot less if they leave it alone.

Russ gives her a does of "easier this way" by bringing in a cake the next day. 

Sports at the center of everything takes precedence as even the principal doesn't want to know about the grades that were bought to keep terrible students playing ball. It's pathetic. 

Dash cam footage shows Eddie's father knew his son had committed suicide before his father was notified of his death.

Russ apologizes to Holly for lying about being happy for her. He's not. He wants to fight for her, to be together and make a long distance relationship work. Judging from the kiss at the end in plain sight of their coworkers and the lobsters crawling on the floor, they're going to do it.

The post Battle Creek Season 1 Episode 12 Recap: Homecoming appeared first on TV Fanatic.

Good news! There was a shooting. They head over.

A woman is trying to keep a man from bleeding out on a playground. Russ takes them both to a hospital leaving Funk with her daughter there. It's the woman's husband. 

A doctor at the hospital tells Russ he said something sensitive. 

The meeting at the park was a hand-off for the couple's daughter. The wife thinks it might be the neighbor who was angry they won a court battle about an old tree.

Milt meets with an old colleague to get access to records. He knows who shot the guy. Bennett Kowalsky. But nobody knows the guy or saw him in the park.

Russ doesn't care and wants him caught. So much so that he starts coaching the wife.

Holly wonders if she smells. Why? Her date did nothing on the cruise. The guy slept on the couch. She even changed into her bikini with the door open and he closed it.

Because of Milt's FBI informant that he cannot bring to the court, he's suspended. 

Russ takes Holly's advice and goes to Milt for help. Milt is making jam during his suspension which Russ finds very odd. 

After a bunch of rigmarole, the finally realize that Kowalksy is a hitman. Russ is the only one who doesn't want to think the wife is who hired him. Milt appears in the station and wants to wager with Russ that the wife is the doer. 

While Russ and Milt talk with the wife, the doctor watches Russ and remarks to Milt that Russ is really good with the wife. Milt is surprised and doesn't really believe her.

Holly didn't get laid again. While she's complaining about her date, Russ is trying to determine that Rita and her husband were happy and Milt wants to think it's a sham. Milt points out Russ' new attitude is making him attractive to women. Russ realizes that Milt notices that when he acts like Milt he gets lucky.

The husband wakes up. Rita can talk to him for a couple minutes, but that's it. Russ doesn't like it. 

The Commander questions Rita. Milt and Russ continue arguing. Russ doesn't think she did it and points at the husband's gambling. Russ is right. Derek tried to have her killed, but had second thoughts. 

The doctor at the hospital tells Russ what a pleasure it was watching him do his job and hopes he'll call her sometime. He really is changing.

While he's calling the doctor, Steffie Owens, Holly comes in after a bad date and starts telling Jacocks about it. Holly tried having sex, but it didn't work. She finds Russ in the basement and kisses him. Russ protests and they do the ole toss stuff of of the desk maneuver and he takes her right there.

The post Battle Creek Season 1 Episode 11 Recap: The Hand-Off appeared first on TV Fanatic.

Russ just wants Milt to admit that he needs him. When he dies, it's to say he needs an evidence kit. Russ goes to get it and the escapee take Russ hostage. Whoops.

The guy, Mitchell, leaves Russ without telling him why he wanted to be out. Russ tries to play fetch with a dog for a saw to saw his way out of cuffs.

The commander tries to remember what she and Russ used to play when they imagined getting kidnapped. Russ would play the diabetic card.

Except Mitchell gets him dog insulin and because of that he passes out. Suddenly he's chained up on the dining room table with juice, jelly beans and snacks. Russ tries calling her life alert button but Mitchell has had it rerouted.

Milt is on TV offering to switch himself as hostages and Mitchell is seriously thinking of taking him up on his offer and they engage in a serious conversation about gestures.

Just as Russ saws himself free, Milt arrives and Russ leans into Milt in a quasi hug that is worthy of a rewind.

Of course, Milt uses the term rescue you with Russ and an argument is about to go down over who won Russ' release.

When the get to Susan's house, Russ is certain they broke free and weren't kidnapped. Now we know why Mitchell broke out. He promised his brother he would see his niece get married. 

Why didn't she just postpone it for a week? Because her fiance is in the military and ships out tomorrow. Suddenly, Russ is walking down the aisle chained to his new friend and both him and Milt are wiping tears from their eyes.

Back at the station, Milt asks Russ to grab a beer and he turns him down. Flash to Mitchell happy to have kept a promise to his dying brother no matter the cost and to Russ, alone in his apartment, drinking a beer.

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Following an evening's worth of cancelations and renewals (see photo gallery below), CBS has announced that Battle Creek, Stalker and The McCarthys have all been canceled.

The two dramas and one sitcom were felled, naturally, by poor ratings. 

Over a dozen shows have been canceled today, as networks prepare their final schedules for next week's Upfront Presentations.

Among the CBS bubble shows still awaiting word on their fate are CSI, CSI: Cyber and Hawaii Five-0.

Here's a look at the carnage and/or the opposite of carnage so far:

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In Battle Creek Season 1 Episode 9 Russ was still trying to best the FBI at their own game and stubbornly holding onto his mantra that he's somehow respecting Holly by not asking her out. 

In a move that surprises no one, I have some things to say about Russ' behavior, in addition to all of the other fun things about "Ginger Bread."

First up, the case was very enjoyable this week, it even felt like we were watching the gang from Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Have we ever had the entire team working the same case before? Learning about Font's affinity for faces was interesting. When the Commander told him to take a day to look into it, at first it appeared as if she was kidding until she used her cousin at a Kiss concert as a reference point. Those things stay with you.

It was hard watching everyone break their posts and head inside the German sausage shop. Wouldn't it have been wise for at least one of the detectives to remain outside to ensure all of them weren't locked inside the freezer? Things like that were driving me nuts.

The same thing happened again three (all who were there) tramped into Spade's house. Wouldn't one have waited outside for backup and just in case either, a) Spade wasn't inside and drove up in another vehicle, or b) he ran out an exit and someone needed to be on the lookout for him? I've never seen detectives move in a hive before.

I suppose it was fortunate, because if Jacocks had stayed outside, for example, Font and Funk would have been blown up, never thinking of the IRA and how they timed their bombs. And, wow, how freaky was it when Font turned around with a piece of the pipe bomb in his head?!

Russ' reaction to Font's injury was totally in form. He gets so emotional over his coworkers and is so utterly invested in the job. He's practically an open book despite his best efforts to hide himself from everyone. 

The only person who seems unable to see a specific feeling from him is Holly. It's understandable to miss the obvious when you're into someone, because you want them feel like you do and when they don't make a move, you assume the worst. But Holly knows so much more about Russ that she should have an inkling about how he operates (such that he really doesn't operate).

Once Font's wife told her Font thinks Russ is in love with Holly, Holly should have thought about taking her own advice. She essentially told Russ you only live once and need to take a chance. Why isn't she doing it then, with the person she cares about? It's not the dude taking her on the cruise, that's for sure.

At this point, she has pretty good evidence that Russ cares for her, but he's afraid to show it. She knows how confident he is in so many aspects of his life and she can read people very well – well enough to know he's not acting confidently around her. So, if she cares about him, then she needs to do what he won't and take the first step. 

Russ' misguided sense of respect for Holly is keeping him from doing what will make them both happy. Something has to give. Let's hope Holly has enough guts for the both of them.

Kudos to Milt for trying his best to get Russ to face his fears. It didn't work out, but you can't help but love him for trying.

What did you think? Was this a good use of the entire team on one case instead of attempting a B-story? Are you ready for Russ to bite the bullet? Should Holly make the call for the both of them? Hit the comments! 

Don't forget you can watch Battle Creek online via TV Fanatic and you can also check out the Battle Creek quotes for a good time.

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Milt has to tell Font Barkley Spades committed suicide. Russ believes Font despite the evidence and thinks they should set out to prove Milt and the FBI wrong.

The Commander gives her OK for Font to take a look and Meredith will look over the autopsy if she can use Russ' car for a gag for her nephew.

Russ discovers how Spades fakes his suicide and back at the morgue the learn Meredith knows how he faked his death. She had an assist, though. Milt's in on it now.

They find him in by way of a German shop and all manage to get caught.

The commander rescues the group. When they emerge, there is a cute little piggy head on the table. Awww.

Milt continues to tell Russ what he learned about Holly on their lunch. She came from a wealthy family. He really thinks Russ needs to make his move before Holly goes on the cruise with her new boyfriend, but he sure is pushing back.

Font, Funk and Jacocks find Spades house and go inside. They seem a bit like the Brooklyn Nine-Nine team as they try to figure this stuff out. Finally, after realizing they may or may not be in the middle of a trap, Jacocks ties it back to the IRA, who timed their traps to go off five minutes after infiltrated. They run like hell and make it out.

Unfortunately, Russ notices a little blood on Font's collar. He had a giant thing sticking out of the back of his head. The surgery doesn't go smoothly and the doctor wonders if he has a living will.

Russ doesn't take the entire thing well, at all. Then Russ realizes someone had to have been looking on and watching, but they weren't. Russ thinks it was the little street officer who helped him on the bridge. When Milt and Russ work together, they're amazing.

Font wakes up to his wife and Holly talking about Russ never bothering to ask Holly out and her surprise that Font thinks Russ is in love with her. A girl can only wait so long.

Milt tries to force Russ to face the issue, but Russ can't. He drops the ball. Holly seems gutted.

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