psychochik
Silver Shield Investigator
Ha-Ha
Posts: 191
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Post by psychochik on Feb 9, 2006 15:45:46 GMT -5
He always plays the geek in anything he's been in, but he always does a good job.
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Post by trisha on Feb 10, 2006 10:24:15 GMT -5
Sirenna, I see what you're saying, but I still think it sounds a little cold compared to how I view him. I think he does care about doing not only what's legally right, but also what's morally right to him, which is not always the same thing. I think he is very willing to bend the law in order to save someone from a punishment that is called for under the law, but which he does not see fitting for the crime. For an example of this, look at Acts of Contrition. He was also unwilling to out the woman in The Faithful. Conversely, there are times when the law doesn't provide a punishment for something he feels needs to be punished, as in Magnificat. I don't see him as a white knight, or anything like that. But I also don't see him as living his life as a mere tool of the justice system or on a relentless pursuit for the truth. He loves his job, as he's said himself. It's something he feels compelled to do, and I don't think it's to be a hammer of justice or a sword of truth. Some people do need to have the hammer come down on them, or have their webs of lies slashed, but Goren's true mission, to me, is to help the helpless. I definitely think he has redemption in mind for those who want and deserve it, and even for those who don't, like Nicole. It's not about having them redeemed so they can exist peacefully with society, but so that they can exist peacefully with themselves. I don't know that his cerebral side overrides his emotional side, either, at least not in the context you put it in; it seems to me that would call for moral ambiguity, which Goren is anything but (we almost always know where he stands in terms of morality.) I think he uses his knowledge of the law, and his authority within the legal system to root out the people and things in the world that he feels are wrong with it. I also think he places his sense of morals above those of the people of New York, but things usually work out for him since he is more often in agreement with the established law than not. He has no issue manipulating the system to serve his ends when his view of what's right doesn't mesh with the law, though. Look at what he did to the doctor in The Good Doctor! You can't really call that justice in the literal sense according to the law, but Goren will "take them anyway the come." Perhaps this is what makes the Goren character so great; all his contradictions, just like a real person. You see him on a relentless pursuit for truth, and I see him on a relentless pursuit for righteousness
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Post by Techguy on Feb 10, 2006 16:56:54 GMT -5
About Goren's dealing with what's legally right vs. what's morally right:
I recall in "Zoonotic" how the crooked cop was murdered at the outset. Then in the episode finale, Goren and Eames decide to attribute his death to "in the line of duty." I think it's because both detectives--but especially Goren because of his issues with an absent father--wanted the dead cop's daughter to remember him as a good guy, and so she and her mother would get death benefits.
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Post by Cassie on Feb 10, 2006 17:23:21 GMT -5
TechGuy, I think your on to something, but I also feel when Goren tries to do things that are morally right, vs. what is legally right. I think his decision making comes more when he is dealing with a child's future. Remember in The Faithful, at the end, when Goren made the deal with the Priest . If the Priest took the responsibility of the murder of Kevin Donovan, not take the case to trial, claiming it was a lovers quarrel. Goren would make sure that the mother of Kevin, the Priest's old girlfriend. Would not have to testify that she was Kevin's mom. I believe Goren goal was to protect her children in her new life. To shield the children from the scandal, more then her. Carver told him if he ever did something like that again, make a deal, without his consent. He would have Goren's badge. Stuff like that is what makes Goren a White Knight , I also feel that it is his way of trying to right the wrong that was done in his own childhood
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Post by Sirenna on Feb 10, 2006 18:20:31 GMT -5
yes, I do think he is a moral person - very much so but I don't see that he lets that part of his character have the upper hand; not that I'm saying he would chose to be immoral in order to catch his criminal (although does lying, threatening and being deceitful in interrogations count?)
I also agree: He's just an all around great guy.
;D
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Post by Sirenna on Feb 11, 2006 18:04:49 GMT -5
No problem about the name thing. My real name is Samantha btw
As for strong opinions, u ain't seen nothing yet compared to some of the discussions this board has scene! Strong in opinion and fact but soft in presentation (not including kicking the dead horses...)
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Post by kawaiidragonfoe821 on Feb 15, 2006 13:42:52 GMT -5
I don't see him as a white knight either; I see him as a noble, ethical person who is effective at his job & loved what he does. The beauty of Goren is he knows (most of the time... but we can't all be perfect) when to go after someone (i.e. Talbot's wife in 'Jones', the crooked cop in 'Badge', the nun in 'Acts o/ Contradiction) & went not to (The Priest in 'The Faithful', the wife in 'Pardoner's Tale'.). He can effectively weigh weather it's worth it just to get a few extra charges against the suspect. That is what makes Goren so cool (to me).
Oh, for those of you who might not know (or remember) DJ Qualls also played the geeky scientist Taz 'Rat' Finch in the 2003 movie 'The Core'.
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Post by Patcat on Aug 19, 2010 8:11:23 GMT -5
Bumped, for EOTW.
Patcat
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