The Protector

The Protector is a drama series that aired on Lifetime in 2011, bringing an engaging blend of police procedural and family drama to the network's lineup. This Los Angeles-setting show stubbornly deviates from the gritty noir tone so prevalent amongst its contemporaries, setting a lighter and approachably humanistic pace while dealing with the serious business of crime-solving.

The series revolves around the life and career of Detective Gloria Sheppard, played by the talented Ally Walker, known from her roles in past hit shows like Sons of Anarchy and Profiler. Gloria is a single mother rigorously juggling her demanding professional life with raising two boys. Her character is portrayed as confident, quirky, endearingly flawed, and immensely committed to both her children and her duty, lending a sense of relatability and admiration to it.

Playing alongside Walker is the charismatic Tisha Campbell-Martin, best known for her role in the popular sitcom Martin. She fills the shoes of Michelle Dulcett, Gloria's intelligent and keen detective partner at the LAPD. These two leading ladies share an interesting chemistry, making for an on-screen relationship that's both entertaining and heartwarming to watch. The pair are given complex cases to solve while dealing with personal issues, throwing light on the strenuous, sometimes heartbreaking, yet fulfilling aspects of police work.

Adding to the central dynamic of the series is Gloria's younger but protective brother, Davey Sheppard, played by the comedic actor, Chris Payne Gilbert. Davey lives with Gloria and her sons as he tries to grow his fledgling catering business. His character's lightheartedness often brings comic relief to the weight of the proceedings and the familial bond shared by Gloria and Davey also introduces a layer of warmth to the show.

The Protector takes a refreshingly unique approach to its genre - it tackles intense storylines characteristic of its crime-drama roots, while the domestic aspects provide a charming backdrop to its narrative. Gloria isn't portrayed as the stereotypical superwoman balancing work and family with unrealistic ease. Instead, she's a woman handling an assortment of pressures that often collide but manage to coexist, just like many women in reality.

The series is spearheaded by creator Michael Nankin and Jeffrey Jackson Bell. Nankin and Bell, who have worked on popular shows like Battlestar Galactica and Dark Angel respectively, have lent a distinct authenticity and depth to The Protector, ensuring it stands out in a market saturated with crime dramas. The show tends to veer more towards the personal and professional struggles of a single working mother and less on gruesome crime scenes, making it distinctively suitable for the Lifetime demographic.

The show provides a balanced mix of multi-dimensional characters, where even the supporting cast brings in waves of humor, tension and intrigue. The multifaceted narratives, along with the portrayal of women in positions of power, make The Protector a powerful series. Many episodes are packed with emotionally-charged performances that can evoke both laughter and tears from viewers. The series’ clever use of mysteries and humor further makes it an entertaining watch.

Through the course of its run, The Protector develops more than just crime mysteries – it builds relationships, explores personal issues, and dives deep into character backstories. The series allows its viewers to not only invest in the protagonist, but to become familiar with the whole ensemble, providing equal focus on the growth and development of the supporting characters. This makes the series relatable and engaging, creating a strong connection between the characters and their viewers.

In conclusion, The Protector is a heartening blend of compelling crime-solving and engaging family drama. It effortlessly pairs the intensity of a cop drama with the emotional resonance of a family-centric narrative, delivering a unique show that's both thrilling and feel-good. Although the show only lasted for one season, it made a spirited attempt at depicting the reality of balance, compromise, and persistence needed in juggling career and family. The Protector, thus, provides a refreshing, easy to relate to, and engaging viewing experience. It stands as a testament that there can be a harmonious blend of professional and personal life in television portrayal, even in a high-pressure environment such as the LAPD.