6:17 "Players" 2007-3-27

[Techguy]

I caught the USA rerun too. Normally I don't watch CI reruns I've already recorded because I don't like sitting through the show with commercials again. But I was curious as to how USA would edit the extended NBC version, and besides that, I had some time to spare since the NHL playoffs don't start until Wednesday night.

The edited version without the Wheeler subplot stands up very well on its own, but having seen the extended version, I prefer the NBC version because I enjoyed how the details of her missing father were introduced, and how Wheeler and Logan interacted in their more personal scenes together.

BTW, I still think Riordan's dad was correct to hand his son over to the detectives. And I don't see Logan sympathizing with Riordan; as Riordan is led away and placed in a police car, Wheeler asks if the DA will give Colin (the African-American boy with the hyperactive inhaler) a break, and that's when Logan says "I hope so." Logan and Wheeler are more sympathetic to Colin because he doesn't have parents with the money and clout that his friends Riordan and Stephanie do.

[deathroe]

One viewing in, and I did like it, but …

How many gestures in “Players” were ripped from past OR present seasons of CI?

--deck of cards (D.A.W.)
--preppie killers with high up parents who leave somebody to die (Wee Small Hours)
--mob killing field
--whole ending is parallel to “Brother’s Keeper” (dead body but not a family member) .. complete with the inimitable Rodgers
--“Are you alright? I’m fine” at end parallels “Siren Call”
--and Wheeler is definitely stealing her hair/chin gestures from Eames, to say nothing of the whole down coat thing

… and these are just what I got on the first viewing. More blatant recycling than usual, if you ask me. Much fodder for the CI drinking game I’m contemplating (“Eames flips hair—take a drink.” “Goren reads dead language—take a drink.” “Goren fails to know a language—take a shot.” “Victim is a soldier from the Masucci family—take a shot.”) Liked Seamus and Spire though—amusing.

**

thatdrattedcat--JN is in this month's Glamour, where she is said to be 35. I would NEVER have guessed. I'm about her age and routinely mistaken for a college student on my campus (grrrrr), and yes, she comes across as much younger and smaller for whatever reason.

[Cassie]

Thanks JanetHyland, that was an interesting read.

I know it must be difficult for you to read all of the discussion of the show, and not having seen it yet. However, your essays bring a nice closure to all of the threads. Thanks, its greatly appreciated

Maybe this weekend, I will be able to make time to rewatch this episode. Sad to say, there isn't enough time in the day, to do all things LOCI

[meggyd]

Finally seen this episode. I enjoyed it, and felt it redressed the balance a bit by giving the Logan/Wheeler partnership a bit more depth and weight through their interaction and backstory, building on the "I'm your partner" declaration from 30. I thought the personal elements were handled pretty well and worked in around the main story.

I was surprised when Wheeler was spoken to by the Captain about her personal search for her father, and she assumed that Logan (of all people!) had told him about it. Then when she was taken to meet the Mob investigator it was a surprise both for her and for the audience. I assumed initially that she would be told they were interested in her father because he had been an informant or something, and also assumed that he would be alive and in witness protection. But the show avoided both these cliches and easy options - unusual in this season. I thought it added depth to the episode and I really felt sorry for Wheeler.

The Federal Prosecutor had made it quite clear the horror he felt at what his father had done in the past, and his father's attitude to what he did and the people he'd killed. He outlined what it had cost him to get beyond that - the fact that Logan was questioning him and suspecting him because of his father's background was case in point. What his son did in becoming like his Grandfather was the ultimate betrayal of his father's beliefs. I found it quite realistic that the father walked away. I also think it's good for the kid to face the reality of what he did and have to deal with responsibility. A big part of his bravado was the idea that his father would somehow bail him out if he got caught. I read Logan's reaction as suprise that the father made the son take responsibility, not disgust that the father didn't immediately start trying to get him off. There's also nothing to say that the father wouldn't reestablish contact at some point in the future once the son had realised the seriousness of what he had done - he still visited his father after all.

I wished for closure for Wheeler, too, but even the lack of resolution there was realistic. There are so many people who never find out what happened to a loved one. I thought Logan's attempts to help within the boundaries of their relationship was also good and really positive, but in the end there wasn't much he could do. There are no answers there.

A strong episode, which built up the character of Wheeler further. I liked it.