|
|
Post by Patcat on Dec 16, 2005 9:31:02 GMT -5
Another fine episode from Season One.
It features Michael Gross in one of those splendid LOCI guest appearances that allows an actor the audience may think that it knows to shine in an unexpected role. Gross plays the manipulative, lovelorn psychiatrist with remarkable honesty. There's also nice turns by the young actor and actress who play the son and daughter of the murdered cardiologist: the young girl is quite good in her scene with Mr. D'Onofrio, although I suspect her ease in that moment owes a lot to Mr. D'Onofrio.
In the Season One DVD commentary Dick Wolf points to the scene of Eames playing the murderous detective as a sign of the great quality of her work. He's right--she's terrific.
Is it too much to believe that Goren can outwit a psychiatrist who specializes in determining the sanity of criminals? Perhaps, and the doctor's capitulation in the final scene does come perhaps a little too quickly and easily. But I believe that Goren has had more formal study of psychology that he lets on, and is a more than worthy opponent. It's not the first or last time that an opponent underestimates our hero.
And I can't help but think that Goren's reference to the psychiatrist as a "geek" is something of a commentary on his own life.
Patcat
|
|
|
|
Post by rosemary on Dec 16, 2005 10:24:31 GMT -5
Again the old question? Is Goren a geek? I think if yes, he is, we should re-define the meaning of "geek". He's not as socially inept as geeks usually are, and he surely doesn't have problems with the ladies. His interests are not confined to two or three subjects, as it is the case with so-called "higly-gifted children". I put that in quotation marks because I'm unsure, if they exist. I visited a school for these kids once, and it was...just horrible.
|
|
|
|
Post by Metella on Dec 16, 2005 14:40:24 GMT -5
snicker .... my friend was enrolled in the "gifted" track in our high school .... she was fine, just an average person; but her mother wanted to see that "title" so had her put in those course. Let's see what it did for her life .... she dropped out of college, then she had 3 kids without marrying the 2 guys that fathered them, then she lived off welfare for about 12 years, now she is depressed and overweight, taking anti-depressants with kids running wild & is just getting back into the job force. Another guy in that same track killed himself a few years ago.
I am highly against pushing kids at all - let them feel out their way and their interests.
Oh RATS - I got off topic AGAIN.
Well speaking of kids - the scene with the crayons and the girl was great, Goren is not a geek in the old sense of the word - as he also easily interacts with children ..... anyone notice the BAD EDITING in that scene? Really, keep your eyes on the crayons.
|
|
|
|
Post by lisianthus on Dec 16, 2005 15:47:30 GMT -5
I always liked the last scene, Gross' character (Webb) stays in 'crazy' mode till Goren mentions the girlfriend. Then he breaks and says 'stay away from her, she had nothing to do with this'. Goren doesn't have to out-wit him, he just has to poke him a little to get Webb out of the act, and it's all downhill from there.
What I find unbelievable is that Webb tells the girlfriend he killed the man, and threatens her not to tell because 'now you know what I'm capable of', and she doesn't run to the police.
|
|
|
|
Post by Patcat on Dec 16, 2005 16:03:56 GMT -5
I'm willing to forgive the lapses with the crayons--it was probably a lot more important to get the best take with the young actress.
Patcat
|
|
|
|
Post by kawaiidragonfoe821 on Dec 17, 2005 5:24:54 GMT -5
I have had the privilege of being acquainted with a few 'geeks' & 'nerds' in my lifetime & I can say that Bobby isn't a geek. He's too smooth, charismatic, & charming. Now, I would classify that accounting dude from season 2 (the one Eames joked to Goren about being his 'older geekier brother, I can't remember the episode). Geeks have a certain appeal about them that makes them likable.
Nerds are like that annoying 'comic book store guy' from The Simpsons LOL.
|
|
digresser
Silver Shield Investigator
Posts: 149
|
Post by digresser on Dec 17, 2005 8:08:55 GMT -5
I think that the actress who played Sophie (was she also in "The Saint" ?) was one CI's most believable child performances. I'm not saying that most of the children used in CI aren't very good (I really liked the performance of the boy in "Bright Boy"), but this little girl just seemed especially genuine. A little different then, say, the girl in "Grow" whom I thought was trying just a little too hard. Every time I see her hand her library book to Goren before he even asks, I cringe. But she's young and still did well, and I'm sure she'll improve even more.
Geek. It's a great word and one whose meaning varies. I've always referred to myself as a geek, and most of the people I hang out with qualify as well. To us it means a person who thoroughly enjoys a genre or hobby that isn't quite the "norm" and researches it until they become an pseudo-expert on it.We're mostly sci-fi/fantasy, comics and/or gaming geeks, but we do have a person who is geeky over dinosaurs and another geeky about Ghostbusters. Apparently, one of the group is a big Law & Order: Criminal Intent geek, but I don't know what they're talking about...
Anyway, a good example of my way of viewing the term "geek" is actually a game called, "Chez Geek". It sorta embodies the college geek. One of the cards from the game I can easily see Goren enjoying is "Caesar's Gallic Wars" which is captioned: "GALLIA EST OMNES DIVISIA IN PARTES TRES. CREDO ELVI ETIAMNUNC VIVERE." Loosely translated (my Latin leaves so much to be desired) "All Gaul is divided into three parts. I believe Elvis is still alive." The entire game is filled with little references which appeal to the humorous geek within us all...who are over 21. But, I'm really digressing here. Basically, I'm just trying to say I think everyone is going to have there own definition for "geek" and "nerd". As for me, I'm proud to be a geek, but I am most definitely not a nerd. Now, I know Goren referred to Dr. Webb as a "geek", but I agree with Patcat in that I think the term suits Goren. Personally, I'd refer to Dr. Webb as a "nerd". Well, actually, as a desperate, sad old fogie, but we're working with 'geek" and "nerd" here.
I also like how they found the gun based on Eames' gut, this time around.
One last final thing. According the production numbers, this is the second episode of the show filmed. I found that to be kinda neat when I realized it. I wonder why they show them out of production order. Any ideas or has this been addressed before? Thanks!
|
|
|
|
Post by rosemary on Dec 17, 2005 9:36:51 GMT -5
metella: that's exactly what I wanted to say. I'm glad I was expelled from that geek school.
and yes, kawaiidragon, when I hear "nerd" I think about CBG. "What do you think of 40-year-old virgins still living with their parents?"
|
|
|
|
Post by maherjunkie on Dec 17, 2005 10:32:00 GMT -5
I thought Stephanie Seymour turned in a decent performance for an ex-model, though I was surprised she didn't go to the police too. It's good to see Michael Gross overcome that Vanilla Ice movie.
I can't believe an excellerated program would do so much damage! What made it horrible, Rosemary?
|
|
|
|
Post by Techguy on Dec 17, 2005 18:49:20 GMT -5
My favorite scene in this episode is when Det. Goren insults the doctor, reminding him of the kind of women he couldn't get. It almost rivals the red sports car scene in "Cherry Red"--almost, but not quite. Still, Goren vs. the doctor is one of CI's finest moments showcasing how the detective can, and often does, get under the skin of the guilty parties.
|
|
|
|
Post by Patcat on Dec 17, 2005 19:10:36 GMT -5
Shows, especially shows that do not follow a dramatic arc, frequently show episode in an order that doesn't follow the order in which they're filmed. Sometimes it's a matter of avoiding or capitalizing on a current event; sometimes it's a desire to show a stronger or weaker episode at a certain time.
Patcat
|
|
|
|
Post by LOCIfan on Dec 18, 2005 3:54:51 GMT -5
Actually, I've seen several interviews with Balcer and SenGupta and a first season writer named Cosin who've stated that the second episode filmed after "One" was "The Faithful" and the only reason it wasn't aired second was the fact that the series premiere was delayed due to 9/11. I believe the first 13 episodes filmed were shot before any episodes ever aired and the order in which they aired bore no relation to the order in which they were filmed.
The fact that each episode can "stand alone" has a lot to do with the fact that the order in which the episodes film is not the order in which they air. I think this has always been the case with the first several episodes of each season (which are typically filmed before the summer break). They mix them up according to which ones seem strongest and most likely to appeal to audiences after the summer break.
|
|
digresser
Silver Shield Investigator
Posts: 149
|
Post by digresser on Dec 18, 2005 12:22:48 GMT -5
Thank you Patcat and LOCIfan for answering my question. Episode order now makes sense, especially given that season 5 has been filmed and aired in the same order. One interesting thing, though. LOCIfan, I don't doubt your information, but according to the production numbers, "The Faithful" was filmed fourth, with the first three being "One", "Crazy" and "The Good Doctor". I wonder if maybe I'm not understanding how the production numbers work? Anyway, I suppose I'm just being geeky.  Ah, Michael Gross, never again shall I look to you for fatherly advice! You can raise a Junior Senator, but you can't even get the girl when you kill for her. Anyone else a little nervous when the good doctor's second request for a hit was revealed? The first time I saw it, I was. |
|
|
|
Post by maherjunkie on Dec 18, 2005 13:16:05 GMT -5
Junior Senator!!? Is this a real life reference or what we are supposed to assume happened to Alex P.Keaton?
|
|
|
|
Post by rosemary on Dec 18, 2005 13:58:37 GMT -5
@ maherjunkie: the teachers were egocentric narcists just like the old Coffman in Cherry Red...my favorite ep for some reason, and they had "staff" as tough and selfrighteous as Terry Randolph in Badge (my second fav) and last but not least, in my life there was a guy like Madic in Homo Homini Lupus (my 3rd fav.)
|
|
Patrick Roy, 2006 inductee into the Hockey Hall of Fame
