Palace Guard

Palace Guard is an American TV crime drama series that aired on CBS in 1991. The show had two main aspects: a character-driven story development strategy and a unique plot focusing on the specific setting of a luxury hotel. Interested in elegance, crime, and a dash of humor? Then Palace Guard is the type of TV series that may keep you hooked for hours.

The storyline revolves around the main character, Tommy Logan, played by talented actor D.W. Moffett. Logan is a former cat burglar and jewel thief who decides to change his course of life after circumstances compel him to reconsider his profession. Not cut out for the 9-to-5 grind, Logan leverages his unique talents for the forces of good, drawing on his inside knowledge of the criminal world to bring culprits to justice. His unconventional path to law enforcement provides a fresh take on the traditional police drama, moving the series away from the predictable cat-and-mouse game to create a more distinctive narrative.

Logan's life takes a dramatic turn when he gets a job as a security expert at the Palace, a posh hotel chain run by Arturo Taft, a sophisticated businessman portrayed by veteran actor Tony Lo Bianco. The vibrant, luxurious, and aristocratic ambiance of the Palace hotels provides a subtle backdrop to the thrilling crime plots of each episode. Taft views the risk-taker Logan as the ideal human security system for his establishments, providing an unusual twist on the cop-and-thief dynamic.

The character of Christy Cooper, played by Marcy Walker, adds a more personal dimension to the story. As the in-house public relations expert for the Palace hotel chain, Cooper is tasked with handling and minimizing the damage caused by various incidents, often finding herself drawn into Logan's risky yet thrilling adventures. The chemistry between Cooper and Logan bridges the gap between each episode's crime-solving puzzle and the personal storyline development.

Despite its brevity, Palace Guard was known for its combination of humor, romance, and suspense, not afraid to blend unlikely genres in pursuit of an entertaining outcome. The show balances luxuriant settings and gripping investigations with clever dialogue and sharp humor ensuring that the viewing experience is more than just a standard crime procedural.

Each episode of Palace Guard virtually whisked the viewer through a labyrinth of crime, adventure, and thrilling anticipation that kept them on the edges of their seats. The inclusion of luxury hotel settings in diverse cities around the globe only amplified this sense of excitement, glamour, and constant change. Moreover, the unusual odds at which the protagonist often found himself combined with the contrast of his work life at the high-end hotel industry and his erstwhile criminal lifestyle made the storyline all the more riveting.

Although the show only lasted for nine episodes, with three of them unfortunately unaired due to the show's early cancellation, Palace Guard made a commendable mark. The series' unique narrative and compelling storytelling set against the backdrop of the world's most exquisite hotels caught attention even if the appreciation it received was short-lived.

In essence, Palace Guard was an exemplar of the '90s crime drama series - a vivacious blend of elegant settings, light and delightful humor, heart-throbbing adventures, and well-drafted characters portrayed brilliantly by the ensemble cast. While it somehow fell short during its airing, Palace Guard's unique storyline combined with convincing performances makes it a hidden gem that might just appeal to the fans of the genre in their nostalgic strolls down memory lane.