Catching up: Last we saw of Amanda Woodward (Heather Locklear), she and new husband Dr Peter Burns (Jack Wagner) were planning their future on a remote tropical isle - after staging their own fiery deaths. So ended the original Melrose Place - one of the genuine tube addictions of the 1990s.
What Wednesday night's about: Ella Simms (Katie Cassidy) and her semi-diabolical, equally self-absorbed boss, Caleb (Victor Webster), are sitting in his office, hatching some scheme. Who should come clicking through the door on a pair of stilettos that could be registered as lethal weapons? You know who.
Both are surprised. Even though they know she's alive, they didn't expect Amanda from the New York office for a couple of weeks. She gets set to fire half the staff, including Caleb and maybe Ella - a sort of Mini-Me to Amanda's Dr Evil.
My take: Anybody of a certain age - let's say anyone under 10 - might be surprised to learn that Locklear was once a huge star. During the 1980s, she simultaneously starred in two major series (T.J.Hooker, Dynasty).
Without Locklear, Melrose Place would never, could never, have been. Her secret ingredient was a perfect blend of treachery and truculence, sweet and sour.
Before she went AWOL this decade, Locklear was a highly competent actress, but can she save Melrose again?
Bottom line: I like Melrose 2.0, but it needs a spark.
Watch this week for old times' sake, and a possible turnaround. - Newsday
• Melrose Place screens on Wednesdays at 7.30pm on C4.
