Memphis Beat, “Suspicious Minds”
Originally Aired August 3, 2010
Episode Named After: The great Elvis Presley song “Suspicious Minds” — the greatest, in my opinion. Written and first recorded by Mark James, “Suspicious Minds” was released in 1969 and was Elvis’ last #1 song in the U.S. Elvis recorded it, “In the Ghetto,” and “Kentucky Rain” in his “Memphis sessions” with Chips Moman at American Sound Studio. Thematically, the song, about a troubled relationship full of doubt, is perfectly matched to several episode plots, including a strained marriage, a police officer considering taking a bribe, and a son wondering if his dad was the stand-up guy he always thought he was.
Rowdy Memphis (Plot synopsis): Detective Dwight Hendricks (Jason Lee) testifies during a criminal case about an altercation at a toy store. A pretty defense attorney — and instant love interest for Dwight — grills him on the stand, but Hendricks wins out with a speech about how he grew up knowing there’s a right way to treat folks. The jury nods in agreement. Defendant: Guilty.
After the credits, we see Dwight’s mom (Celia Weston) and her beau, Tony (Daniel Hugh Kelly), smoking a joint behind a moonbounce at Tony’s birthday party in a park. A Beechcraft airplane emergency lands on the grassy strip of the park — but there’s no one inside flying it. Whitehead (Sam Hennings) thinks it must be a “ghost plane.” An Air Force officer and FAA liaison shows up to help investigate and sparks up a flirtatious relationship with Lieutenant Rice (Alfre Woodard). The investigation leads to a missing couple, the Oneys, who recently won $82 million in the lottery. Suspects include the son, an ex-brother-in-law, and then Mr. Oney (Andrew Sensenig) himself. Turns out, the Oneys didn’t really win the lottery, they just said they did so they could glom some free stuff and get credit with businesses and friends. Mr. Oney was an inventor who needed money for a patent. His wife supported him, to the detriment of the rest of her family, and, when she was about to leave him and expose the lotto fraud, he killed her.
