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Post by Techguy on May 14, 2006 23:55:12 GMT -5
The highlight of this episode for me is how Jamey Sheridan handled the impending exit of his character Capt. Deakins. Bringing back Michael Rispoli in a cameo appearance to reprise the vengeful Frank Adair (from "My Good Name") is a nice touch, but I thought the so-called evidence against Deakins was far too weak. Copying the header of an e-mail to make it look like it was sent by Deakins? If the MCS commander is going to fall on his sword for the good of the department, then I would have expected Adair's reach from prison to be a bit more intense and damaging.
Another problem I had with this episode--and the following finale as well--is I had too much figured out too soon, and so the mystery and suspense just wasn't there. The true paternity of Glen by his "half-brother" Justin, and Justin's murder of Glen's roommate were telegraphed practically in neon lights. I was hoping for more meat on the bone, more FIRE, but the serving was far too bland and lightweight to suit my tastes.
Jamey Sheridan, as usual, portrayed Deakins with dignity and class as a setup for the season finale. But in the end, I felt both the actor and the character deserved a better fate.
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Post by kawaiidragonfoe821 on May 15, 2006 0:31:46 GMT -5
I know, that was cool, I never in a million years would have expected Adair to pull something like that & how so many people could still support such a dirty cop
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Post by madger on May 15, 2006 1:43:46 GMT -5
I have a couple of questions: what's with all the mother-son incest? I seem to recall at least 2 other episodes with the same theme, or variations, mothers keeping their children emotionally dependent. Also, was there any special significance to the church secretary's purse? they seemed to focus on it a lot, but nothing came of it, I realize they showed it burning to show who got killed, but it seemed to me they highlighted it a lot to justify this. he only thing I can guess is that it will somehow tie in to next season, but that would be out of character for the show. Maybe I'm just seeing too much into this. I thought Deakins exit very classy, it looked like Goren was actually a little teary eyed, probably worried his next captain won't be so tolerant of his quirks. madger
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Post by Patcat on May 15, 2006 8:39:27 GMT -5
Do we still need spoilers at this point? (G)
I found myself holding my breath during this episode, but not because of the main plot. It was the Deakins episode that held me. There was more expressed in the silences among the characters of Deakins, Goren and Eames (and in the performances of Mr. Sheridan, Mr. D'Onofrio, and Ms. Erbe) than in all the mumbo-jumbo in the fire plot.
Along with nearly everyone else, I'm going to miss both the character of Deakins and Jamey Sheridan the actor. The part, unfortunately, never gave the actor a chance to show all of his talents, but when Mr. Sheridan was given a chance, he shone. As he did in both episodes last night.
I believe Deakins left as he did for a variety of reasons. I've seen a change in the character over the past five years--from a political animal concerned about his own welfare who happens to have a conscious to a man with a conscious who happens to be a political animal. (I think his interaction with Goren and Eames had a lot to do with that.) Deakins knew he could win this battle with Adair and his cronies at the NYPD, but he also knew it would deeply hurt the NYPD and create or deepen divisions. So, he fell on his sword. And I think Deakins was just tired.
As for why Sheridan left, I can only speculate. He's the one actor who's never complained about his role in LOCI. Courtney Vance has occasionally grumbled, even Kathryn Erbe has said she'd like Eames to have a bit more to do, and Mr. D'Onofrio commented on the schedule even before his collapse last year. But I've never come across a complaint from Mr. Sheridan. But five years is a long time on a series, and a long time for a commute from one coast to the next. I suspect Mr. Sheridan simply wanted more time with his family.
Anyway, goodbye to both Deakins and Mr. Sheridan. I wish them both well.
And I also hope Frank Adair gets a nasty comeuppance.
Patcat
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Post by janetcatbird on May 15, 2006 10:16:07 GMT -5
I too thought that the "forcing" of Deakins from office was just a little forced. But I loved seeing Eames and Goren stick up for him--Eames hacking into the computer, Goren checking emails. And Eames with the secretary: "a good cop". I was disappointed that we didn't get more out of Eames at least.
Deakins is terrific, he may be going through a rough time but he refused to let it interfere with what needed to be done. "OK, what have you got on the church fires?"
(In my own little fangirl imagination, Deakins worked with Eames' husband at the time he was shot, which to my mind accounts for his somewhat fatherly relationship with her. I would also like to think that Carver was the lead DA at the trial, again seeing some roots to his view of Eames, but sigh.)
As to the case itself, I was confused by the purse close-ups; they really made the secretary look shifty. How would she know about Glen's heritage? Maybe stepmom confessed to the preacher, but even if they're not Catholic confessional that's still private. And Glen didn't mean to kill her, did he? I got the imppression he set fire and didn't plan on anybody getting hurt.
Justin is smarm, but I'm not sure he was really "coming on to" Eames during that one scene. He may be slimy on general principle, but I got the impression it was just arrogant showing off more than an actual flirting. Idiot trophy wife needs to take the baby and clear out. And can you imagine how the poor father must be handling such a situation.
I did like the scene with all the church leaders at the station: they may disagree about issues, but they seemed to be good-humored, healthy, well-adjusted people of faith. "My congregation chartered a bus to go [somewhere]". "And you probably met my parishioners on the other side of the picket line." Still collar-heavy, and from what I've heard Episcopalians are basically Catholic-Lite, but at least they're (attempting) to expand.
Yay Carver. "Of all the theories I've heard in this office...", and knowledge of the baptism. Do Episcopalians immerse? I'm Methodist, we sprinkle, and I know Catholics sprinkle, sorry I don't know the technical term. (Although we have joked that come confirmation it'd be a heck of a lot easier to pull out the super soakers and line 'em up. I know, I'm gonna burn, but you grow up in church work it kinda loses the distant awe.) Mama grew up Southern Baptist, they dunk at age 12 or so. I know some groups are very particular about finding running water at a stream or something. I think in some poorer congregations you work with what you got. Our church is sponsoring a group up in Philadelphia, technically Methodist but all they had was the immersion tank so that's what they use--from which we also get the term "Jesus Jacuzzi"--but you'd think a long-established church would have secured whatever was preferred.
Something in Goren's pronunciation at the church stuck out. Maybe he just caught his tongue or something, but did he say "bap-tis-uh-mal"? And they say Southerners stick in extra syllables.
--Catbird
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Post by Patcat on May 15, 2006 10:29:32 GMT -5
Depending on the parish, Catholics sprinkle, splash, or immerse (g)
At my parish, for example, the baptismal font is a fountain, with a small basin at the top. The water runs down about four feet to a larger pool (with the water about two feet deep). For infant baptisms, the priest holds the baby over the smaller font and sprinkles water over the baby. For older children and adults, the person steps into the and usually kneels in the larger pool. The priest then pours water over them. It offers a combination of the sacred and the silly that often marks rituals of the Catholic church, and I find it very moving.
Patcat
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Post by joanie on May 15, 2006 10:47:03 GMT -5
Jamey Sheridan, as usual, portrayed Deakins with dignity and class as a setup for the season finale. But in the end, I felt both the actor and the character deserved a better fate. Techguy you are correct. Jamey Sheridan deserved more from both the writers and the actors. It is hard for me to admit how much disappointment I felt after watching this letdown. The writers failed to make Deakins departure a memorable CI event. They had so much material to work with but decided to downplay Deakins impact on the Major Case detectives. The writers did not stay true to the characters. Deakins and his detectives fight for justice everyday, if one of their own was under an unjust attack they would have circled the wagons and fought back with fervor. There is no such thing as giving up for the greater good of the department. If they don’t fight back, who in the department will be the next to fall? It is difficult to believe that the characters of Goren, Eames or Logon would just accept Deakins decision to surrender his command. It is true Goren and Eames proved Deakins innocence but they seemed to lack vigor. The writing was flat and the acting lifeless. At least one of these characters should have shown some raw emotion. It felt like they all became graduates of the Annabella Sciorra school of emotionless acting.
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Post by goreamesfan on May 15, 2006 11:41:34 GMT -5
I agree with those who were somewhat let down by the episode -- based wholly in the response of Goren and Eames to Carver's situation. Yes, they solved his case, and yes, I can understand their giving priority to their actual caseload. But other than Eames comment about Carver's lonely computer, I thought their handling of the issue was too casual. And I thought their reaction to his leaving was way too understated. I appreciate LOCI for its understatement in general, but Goren appeared to me to have no reaction whatsoever, while Eames made a slightly sour face. These 2 detectives are champions of justice, and that's how they take the news of Carver falling on his sword? I've seen both detectives get much more worked up over far less. Maybe I missed subtleties of the performances (because I ALWAYS agree with Patcat, and she thought the performances were good). Thank goodness for TiVO, so I can watch it again.
I enjoyed the case itself. I agree with Techguy that there was no suspense, but the resolution packed a huge whallop as you saw how all three family members were dealing with the different pieces of the information they had. I was on the edge of my seat to see how Justin would take the news that he was actually his "brother's" father. I thought this was very in keeping with the psychological emphasis of CI.
(By the way, Theresa Russell marks another actor from VDO's past to guest star on the show. I guess when you've made 50 films, actors from your past are bound to creep up. Interesting too that she's another sexpot character who gets off scot free -- shades of Nicole.)
As for the purse, they never followed up, but I assumed the secretary bought the purse from the spoils of blackmail.
And finally, three cheers for Jamey Sheridan, who made the most of these last 2 episodes. I thought he did a LOT with the little he was given. You could really feel the stress and tension he was under. And for Sheridan fans, check out The Ice Storm -- he has a fairly small supporting role, but he's amazing in it.
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Post by chyochyo on May 15, 2006 14:36:43 GMT -5
I thought that Goren and Eames were being deliberately low-key, out of respect for Deakins and in order to honor his privacy. I did notice that Goren was more fidgety than normal in those scenes.
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Post by Summerfield on May 15, 2006 19:45:46 GMT -5
Highlights: "Of all the theories I've heard in the this office," and "What, she couldn't buy him a new baseball mitt?" I might add gOren is back to recognizing patterns! I didn't understand the emphasis on the purse either, but then I thought it could be attributed to bad editing. Perhaps the original script was written where the torn up note was found in the purse. Maybe they rewrote/reshot the scene and the someone in editing was asleep at the switch.
I realy didn't get the feeling Justin was coming on to Eames, but I certainly saw the stepmom ogling gOren. And I loved how gOren placed the chair between stepmom and Justin.
As far as the e-mail fiasco, well all I can say is that perhaps Deakins was concerned about how far reaching Adiar's influence ran. I can understand why he didn't want to pursue the issue. If it wasn't "the Logan shooting," it could very well be the gOren show. I think he did what he did to protect his "good detectives." I loved that subtle little smirk of gOren's. I took that as a sign that he knew his captain had always been behind him...always. Deakins has always been somewhat low key. To go head on full blast with him front and center would have been contrary to what CI is about.
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Post by LOCIfan on May 15, 2006 20:51:10 GMT -5
I thought the entire beginning with the church secretary was designed to make her look suspicious in a way that was sort of a mislead. And then the close-ups on the purse just kind of hit it a little hard. We needed to see it (sort of, because you could still kind of tell it was her even through the flames) to know who was torched, but it also seemed as though maybe someone was out to get her specifically.
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Post by Cassie on May 15, 2006 21:23:51 GMT -5
Out of the two episodes for the season finale. This episode I liked the best. I thought Theresa Russell was great as a sexual predator. (most times it’s a man in that role) The way she leered at Goren at her front door while standing next to her own husband gave me the creeps. And I had to laugh at the end of the show, while they were all standing in the burned out church. As Goren told the step son that he was the father of his half brother. The way Theresa Russell denied and cried with her shame. I could see her as the wicked witch of the Wizard of Oz. crying out "I am melting,.....melting"…..As if Dorothy (Goren) had just thrown a bucket of water on her.
I also liked the look of complete disgust on Goren face, especially his eyes. When he let the step mom know that he knew she seduced her 14 year old stepson.
Oh just a little tidbit. Theresa Russell also starred in “Hotel Paradise” with VDO. An interesting story, its been awhile since I have seen it....but i think they were ghost
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Post by SarahIvy on May 16, 2006 2:59:30 GMT -5
Janet, I don't think Goren was getting emails from the Chief of Detectives....he was just comparing emails he had received from Deakins with emails Deakins had sent to others, perhaps including the Chief. Well, like some others, I was not very impressed with this episode...pretty disappointed, really. For me a big test of an episode is how much I look forward to my second viewing...I have yet to watch this one a second time for details because frankly it feels like a chore and not a pleasure. A bit like I'd be searching it in vain for hints of something fabulous I somehow missed the first time through. Overall I just felt the whole episode was awkward and flat....I never engaged with the characters or the storyline, aside from Deakins. If the MCS commander is going to fall on his sword for the good of the department, then I would have expected Adair's reach from prison to be a bit more intense and damaging.
<snip>
Jamey Sheridan, as usual, portrayed Deakins with dignity and class as a setup for the season finale. But in the end, I felt both the actor and the character deserved a better fate. I was really left feeling as though the Adair angle was wasted and left hanging, a squaring off between he and Deakins could have been incredibly intense and a fantastic way for Deakins to go, and I think they really dropped the ball on that. But I absolutely agree with Techguy and everyone else who has said that Sheridan did a fabulous job with what he was given. I will really miss him and I wish Deakins had been given a better exit. Did anyone else notice that Glynn's church burning cohort and roomie was none other than Chocolate Jimmy? At least I'm pretty sure it was...he wasn't as thin as he was in Stress Position. I love that biscuit eatin' son of a...
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Post by LOCIfan on May 16, 2006 4:38:00 GMT -5
Summerfield and LOCifan,nice comments about Deakins.Is is possible he fits in with the theme about sacrificing oneself for the greater good? The purse shot. is this like th e Eye on the type writer shot in Slither. If so this is an Expressionist film technique. You see it in Golem,M, and Cabinet of Dr. Caligari. As to the first question, that's a tough one. While I find your thesis concerning CI very interesting, it's not one I share. My own interpretation was that it was much more about Deakins' personal disillusionment with the NYPD than it was about Deakins making any kind of sacrifice. I think he went out in precisely the way he wanted to go out in order that he could leave the job without becoming so bitter that it'd destroy him. I saw it as an act of self-care and preservation of his own dignity. As for the greater good angle, well, I suppose if you want to look at it that way, it may fit. But I'm afraid you'll have to decide for yourself. I didn't think the purse shot was Expressionistic at all. Or, if it was, it was very poorly executed. As I mentioned above, I think it was an attempt to make sure that the audience realized the dead woman was the church secretary, and to make her continue to seem a little suspicious. It was just done in a kind of heavy-handed way.
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Post by Patcat on May 16, 2006 8:17:29 GMT -5
LOCI fan;
I think you're right regarding Deakins' decision to leave--I believe part of it was an attempt to maintain what respect he still had for the NYPD, part of it an attempt to protect the NYPD, and part a realization that he would be spending a great deal of his time fighting Adair's plot.
But I also suspect (and hope) that Deakins has friends in the NYPD who will be dealing with Mr. Adair's friends.
Patcat
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