USA Network is celebrating Characters Unite Month in February, a multi-platform effort to shine a spotlight on the importance of combating hate and discrimination; encourage candor and dialogue around tough issues like racism, gender inequality, homophobia and bullying; and inspire people to say “I won’t stand for …” it anymore. It’s an ambitious endeavor that includes PSA’s, in person appearances, and relevant storylines on USA shows Suits and Necessary Roughness.

I have to admit, when I heard that the campaign would be incorporated into episodes of these shows, I winced a little despite the worthy cause. Memories of Very Special Episodes from my childhood, and more recently NBC’s “Green Week”, immediately rose and I resigned myself to some awkward references to the cause at hand. (Note: I haven’t screened the Suits episode yet.) But lo, I underestimated the creativity and commitment of the fine folks at Necessary Roughness. The sports-and-psychology show dedicated the final two episodes of its second season to a plotline involving a gay football player struggling with the decision to come out of the closet personally and professionally, and delivered an authentic storyline that fits perfectly with the tone of the series.

The seeds for this story have been sown throughout the season, giving it a welcome legitimacy, and allowing it to touch almost every aspect of the show: Dr. Dani’s work; TK’s recovery & image; the Hawks’ future; Dani’s relationship with her mother; Matt’s relationship with his on-off reporter girlfriend; and Dani’s struggle with her own love life.

Spread over two episodes, the story has room to breathe without smothering the other plots we’ve been following all season. In other words, the writers walk the line between Very Special Episode and an engaging story that works within the context of the show as a whole. Color me impressed.

I think the promos have given away who the character is struggling with whether or not to go public, but out of respect for those who haven’t guessed:

SPOILER ALERT

TK has been dealing with Toes giving him crap all season, stuck in the #2 position out on the field, trying to maintain his sobriety while confronting the fact that his best performances on the field might be behind him. Dr. Dani can help him work through some of these pressures, but he really needs a sponsor to get him through the day-to-day struggles. Help comes from an unexpected mentor with some unorthodox ideas, challenging TK even further.

We’ve also seen TK look to his Quarterback, Rex Davis, for help getting back to the #1 wide out spot, with limited success. So when Rex reveals his big secret first to Dani, then to TK, it’s time for the former bad boy to prove that he’s ready to walk the reformed walk. A locker room witch hunt after a rumor circulates that someone on the Hawks is about to come out pushes TK to the edge and a showdown with Toes.

Rex’s inner conflict between his two loves – football and his partner – sheds new light on something Dani finds out about her parents’ marriage, and causes her to question her decision to end the relationship with Matt. Now, it’s no secret that I’ve always considered Matt to be Dani’s Rebound Man. A hot, younger guy who shows her that relationships can be fun and life goes on after divorce, Matt has never been a long-term prospect for Dani in my mind. I found Dani’s continual pining over him to be irksome, and as a result, this plot point was the only negative for me in these two episodes. Those invested in the Dani/Matt relationship will be interested in how it develops heading into season 3, and will probably have mixed feelings when the credits roll on the finale.

While I don’t think they would last more than a month, I’m more interested in Dani/Nico, and these episodes deliver significant developments in that story as well. Did you notice the clues being dropped to both Nico and Matt about Dani’s relationships with the other over the past couple of episodes? If not, maybe you should go back and watch them again. The “first active gay football player” storyline isn’t the only thing the writers have been building up to this season.

I have a hard time pinpointing what it is I like so much about Necessary Roughness. Callie Thorne as Dani is a major plus, and I’ve been pleased to see Mehcad Brooks come into his own as TK, but it’s more about the whole package. This is a show that has felt confident about itself from the first episode, much like The Good Wife. In fact, I often pair the two in my mind: strong female leads who excel in their chosen professions but don’t show off; excellent supporting characters; complicated but realistic relationships; solid writing; good pacing.  Necessary Roughness delivers on so many levels that it’s one of the few shows I watch live anymore, and then groan because I have to wait a week for another episode. I can’t give it a better endorsement than that!

Watch the first episode of this fine wrap-up to the second season of Necessary Roughness tonight at 10/9c on USA Network, then tune in Wednesday, February 20 for the finale and join in me in rejoicing that we get a third season of this solid, well-crafted show.