Good-Guy Bridges Is a Winner

Viewers of “The Agency” (10 p.m., CBS) tonight will probably like the show’s newest series regular--three-time Emmy winner Beau Bridges. But will they like him too much?

The CIA drama is setting up a rivalry between Bridges’ character, newly named agency director Tom Gage, and his predecessor, Robert Quinn (Daniel Benzali of “Murder One”). However, there is no mistaking who we’re supposed to think should be in charge.

Gage is folksy and decent. Quinn is smirking and devious. CBS is counting on our interest in seeing whether the good guy or the bad guy wins out, but it might be even more interesting if Bridges’ good guy were a little less good.

In his first day on the job, Gage is prepared to handle all challenges with competence, style and grace. It’s still early, of course, but the only mystery to Gage is why this former U.S. senator hasn’t been elected president. Quinn vs. Gage is Goofus vs. Gallant.

Few will argue with the casting. Bridges and fellow new arrival Benzali are charismatic additions to an ensemble already filled with such film and TV veterans as Gil Bellows, Rocky Carroll, David Clennon, Will Patton, Gloria Reuben and Paige Turco.

Tonight’s episode, “Sleeping Dogs Lie,” presents two story lines with a fair amount of complexity and intrigue. If at least one of those attributes were to become part of Bridges’ role, without necessarily diminishing his “good guy” status, the CIA of “The Agency” might do viewers even more of a service.