Jane Doe: Now You See It, Now You Don't

I enjoy the Hallmark Mystery Movie series, and "Jane Doe" is my favorite, due to the vivacious Lea Thompson, who brings a bright spirit to this "Scarecrow and Mrs. King" type formula of "mom is a government agent." Thompson has quit the CSA but, like Al Pacino in "The Godfather II," just when she thought she was out, they dragged her back in. This time, by some high quality technical techniques, the Declaration of Independence, is stolen while on display at a bank. Lea's old partner, played by Joe Penny, needs her help. She is thwarted by his current partner, a nervous woman who feels that her territory is being threatened. Let's face it - the Thompson character doesn't want the job - a false note in this for me was the fact that she continued on the case with such a difficult woman.

Thompson wears three hats, that of a loving mother, an employee for a game company, and the occasional agent work. Her husband, Billy Moses, is in the dark about her return to the agency. So there are a few more layers in this series than in the other two.

This particular series has more spark than the other two but probably less substance. The villain here was obvious in the first few minutes, and the way the crime was carried out had a very "Mission: Impossible" -- emphasis on the impossible, feel to it. Nevertheless, Thompson is darling and, with a strong leading man in Penny, "Jane Doe" offers a nice break from reality shows.