Las Vegas: Season 02 (2004)

Ed Deline (James Caan), smooth-talking and fast-acting head of security at the Montecito Resort & Casino, continues commandeering his highly efficient staff of subordinates throughout season two of the NBC dramatic series Las Vegas. Things get under way with a happy reunion, as team member Danny McCoy (Josh Duhamel) returns after a year's military service in the Iraq war -- but happiness turns to concern and doubt on the part of Danny's lover, Mary Connell (Nikki Cox), and very close friend Sam Marquez (Vanessa Marcil) due to his erratic behavior. In addition, Sam is on the outs with Ed's daughter, Delinda (Molly Sims), who in turn has developed a more than professional interest with new security-team member Leo (Eric Dane) -- who, incidentally, may not last the season. Also, Nessa Holt (Marsha Thomason) once again finds herself the reluctant object of suicidal billionaire Fred Puterbaugh's (Jon Lovitz) attention, and later receives word that her father might be alive and that Ed has known this all along. Ed himself is framed for murder early on, with Danny and Mike Cannon (James Lesure) working overtime to clear himself; and when in a later episode Ed is kidnapped, it's the same two guys to the rescue again. Geoff Stults shows up as the childhood sweetheart of Delinda, who claims to have terminal cancer -- and whose "dying wish" is to sleep with his former flame. Sam, Nessa, Delinda, and Mary become roommates, a situation fraught with imminent disaster. And Danny is stuck with caring for the infant daughter of a fellow Marine.

Plus, when Danny and Mary slip off for a weekend vacation, rumors fly that they've become man and wife. Sam sets her sights on a handsome billionaire (Dean Cain) -- only to find out that her dream lover is her highly unreliable "ex." To keep his staff from getting too big for their britches, Ed switches everyone's jobs around so that they can see what it's like to walk in someone else's designer shoes. Sam is scrutinized by the FBI when she becomes innocently involved in a drug cartel. And in a crossover episode with the NBC "procedural" drama Crossing Jordan, Jordan Cavanaugh (Jill Hennessy) and Woody Hoyt (Jerry O'Connell) arrive in Vegas to investigate a gambler's murder. Given the series' locale, it is no surprise that there is a full complement of guest stars during season two. Among these are Clint Black, Michael Bublé, Snoop Dogg, Duran Duran, Paul Anka, Sylvester Stallone, Joe Rogan, Don Knotts, Ashanti, Jon Bon Jovi, and John Elway. The second season of Vegas ends as the Montecito is purchased by a new, mysterious owner -- an event that promises a major shakeup of personnel (and, possibly, the series' premise) when season three rolls around. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi